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Improving standards in fitness
A recent analysis of the Register of Exercise Professionals’ (REPs) members database has revealed some encouraging signs that qualifications and standards have significantly improved in past few years.
One of the key indicators is that for the first time, more than 60 per cent of all REPs members are now at level 3 and the number of level 1 (unqualified) assistant instructors has fallen to a new low of 3 per cent. This is half of the 2005 figure.
The progress of increasing the number of level 3 advanced instructors is very important as these are more skilled to work with clients from a broad range of ages and abilities. The Register is encouraging the industry to aim for 80 per cent of exercise instructors to be at level 3 or above by 2010.
The second startling fact to emerge is the reduction in the number of provisional members. In 2003 nearly 40 per cent of the entire membership were given provisional entry (where qualifications don’t match to current standards), but now the figure has dropped to just 16 per cent. The conversion programme introduced 15 months ago and accurate signposting to REPs approved training providers has assisted in this dramatic improvement.
Over 80 per cent of members are working hard to meet CPD requirements, which is also helping in the trend to improve standards and the skills of the workforce.
26 per cent of current REPs members are now qualified personal trainers and also for the first time nearly 6 per cent of members are qualified to work in exercise referrals. This is a 50 per cent increase in the past two years and reflects the trends in the industry and the requirements to meet government expectations in improving the health of the nation.
The results do show that there are falling numbers of exercise professionals to work with older adults, which is an issue being reviewed at the moment, although there are increasing numbers who can work with children.