Dangers highlighted of unqualified gym instructors

Gyms
around the UK are hiring instructors who lack even the basic skills or
qualifications to carry out the job, according to the Consumers’ Association.

During
an investigation, a representative of the association’s magazine Health Which?
was offered five jobs drawing up exercise programmes for the public, despite
having no qualifications or experience.

Health
Which? investigated gyms at 10 locations around the country. In one case a gym
in Manchester even offered the investigator the role of gym manager.

The
magazine blames low pay and a confusing range of qualifications including 25
training programmes and 14 awarding bodies.

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The
association also pointed out that training needed to qualify for the
industry-run Register of Exercise Professionals could vary from a month to just
two days.

By Ross Wigham