Posted on 13 December 2024
By David Stalker: President of EuropeActive, Chartered Fellow at CIMSPA, Independent Advisor at Active IQ
As someone deeply committed to promoting active lifestyles and the transformative power of education, my first months as an independent advisor with Active IQ have been both inspiring and illuminating.
Active IQ’s dedication to driving quality in fitness education aligns seamlessly with my vision for the sector: to establish fitness professionals as trusted health delivery partners.
The fitness, wellbeing, and leisure sector is uniquely positioned to address some of today’s most pressing public health challenges. To fully capitalise on this potential, we must prioritise the quality of education and training for fitness professionals.
Here’s why this mission is critical and how we can achieve it together.
Fitness professionals: health advocates in the making
Fitness professionals are far more than personal trainers—they are frontline health advocates. Their expertise can play a vital role in combating public health challenges such as obesity, diabetes, and mental health issues. To fully step into this role, fitness professionals must be equipped with the right knowledge and skills to bridge the gap between fitness and healthcare.
Addressing inconsistencies in training
The variance in scope and quality of learning provision has improved over time largely due to professionals being able identify endorsed training which is quality assured against the sectors professional standards. This has helped to increase the value that these training programs deliver, building client trust and the sectors credibility.
Standardising curricula across the sector can ensure all professionals meet a baseline level of competence. Whether it’s understanding anatomy, exercise physiology, behavioural psychology or supporting diverse populations, a standardised approach will enhance client outcomes and ensure safer, more effective service delivery.
Evidence-based practices: a cornerstone of training
To earn the trust of clients and healthcare professionals alike, fitness professionals must embrace evidence-based practices. Training programmes should integrate core topics such as anatomy, physiology, nutrition, adaptive practice and behavioural psychology. Evidence-based quality education empowers professionals to deliver safe, effective, and personalised guidance, ensuring every client receives the highest quality support. This is particularly important for engaging inactive communities.
Success stories: putting theory into practice
To illustrate the transformative power of quality training and initiatives in the fitness sector, here are a few inspiring examples:
- Sport for Confidence and Golf in Society: This partnership delivered a guide showcasing golf’s therapeutic potential for people with barriers to physical activity. Research demonstrated positive outcomes for participants, including those living with dementia, with £16.46 of social value generated for every £1 invested.
- Sport for Confidence’s National Public Health Champion Award: Recognised by NHS England for improving population health through a groundbreaking Prevention and Enablement Model (PEM), Sport for Confidence achieved a £58.72 social return on every £1 invested.
- GM Active and Innerva Partnership: Focused on supporting older adults, this collaboration uses power-assisted exercise to improve physical and mental health. Research-backed methods have shown 90% of users report mental health improvements.
These examples demonstrate the vital role of education, innovation, and collaboration in transforming lives. Thanks to professionals and leaders like Tara Dillon, CEO of CIMSPA, these initiatives are setting the standard for excellence in the sector.
Enhancing safety and building trust
Higher quality education directly translates into greater safety for clients. Well-trained professionals are better equipped to assess individual needs, minimise injury risks, and tailor programmes that accommodate varying fitness levels and health conditions.
Beyond safety, quality training builds trust. Clients are far more likely to engage with professionals who demonstrate expertise, a commitment to ongoing education, and a genuine interest in their wellbeing. This trust not only enhances client satisfaction but also strengthens the industry’s reputation.
Lifelong learning: a professional imperative
Education in the fitness industry cannot end with initial certification. Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for staying abreast of emerging research, technologies, and methodologies. A commitment to lifelong learning not only raises individual skill levels but also elevates industry standards as a whole.
Fostering relationships with healthcare
Well-trained fitness professionals can play a pivotal role in integrated healthcare systems. By fostering relationships with healthcare providers, our industry can support preventative care initiatives and contribute to holistic health strategies. This collaboration has the potential to improve health outcomes for individuals whilst reducing strain on healthcare systems.
A call to action
As my initial months with Active IQ have reinforced, the fitness, wellbeing, and leisure sector is uniquely positioned to be a cornerstone of public health. The time to act is now. I urge industry leaders, training organisations, and fitness professionals to commit to enhancing the quality and standards of training courses. Together, we can elevate the fitness sector to its rightful place as a trusted health delivery partner.
Active IQ has long been at the forefront of this mission, and I am honoured to contribute to its growth and success. By raising the bar, we can empower fitness professionals to advance their careers, improve client outcomes, and ultimately transform public health for the better.
CIMSPA, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, also plays a critical role in this journey. As the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector, CIMSPA is committed to supporting, developing, and enabling professionals and organisations to succeed. CIMSPA has been under the leadership of Tara Dillon, CEO of CIMSPA, and the organisation has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant UK-wide sport and physical activity sector with the highest standards of service delivery. Together, we aim to inspire the nation to become more active.
David Stalker
President of EuropeActive
Chartered Fellow, CIMSPA
Independent Advisor, Active IQ