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INDUSTRY NEWS
Specialist training boost in North East
Cels, the organisation driving the The qualifications will equip said: “We will provide specialist
healthcare sector in North East fitness instructors with the skills training in the field of Exercise
England, is to launch specialist and knowledge to be able to adapt Referral and provide the
fitness qualifications that will physical activity plans to meet the opportunity for fitness
enable fitness instructors to help needs of people referred for professionals to learn how to
in the training of people with exercise by their GP, including design, agree and adapt physical
physical or mental limitations. those with physical disabilities or activity programmes.”
Funded by European Social Fund undergoing physical therapy. This People who work a minimum
cash, fitness professionals across means that patients become of 16 hours per week as a fitness
the North East will be encouraged increasingly less reliant on instructor in the North East and
to gain qualifications in Exercise medication, and more on exercise. are qualified at level 2 or 3 in
Referral through a Vitracise project, Caroline Findlay, Delivery fitness instructing, or equivalent,
with courses starting in spring 2008. Manager of the Vitracise project may be eligible for the course.
Membership boost thanks to new systems
New research into industry standards
Private leisure operator, SpringHealth Leisure, which operates five A new eight-month research project is under way to confirm
London gyms and swimming pools in Richmond, has improved its whether industry standards and qualifications are in line with jobs
membership efficiency thanks to a new set of technical and business within the industry.
management tools. The panel of industry experts, chaired by Georgina Jupp, Managing
The company provides private facilities at clubs in London and also Director of CK Academy, will carry out surveys of instructors and
manages the local authority facility at Pools on the Park, Richmond. The employers, hold focus groups, look at job descriptions and study existing
installation of Legend’s system at both the Hampstead and Heathrow research from the UK and Europe, the US and Australia, as part of its
clubs and has given them greater control over its membership systems. task to ensure standards and qualifications remain relevant.
Paul Golding, Financial Controller at SpringHealth Leisure, said: Ben Gittus, Qualifications and Standards Manager for Skills Active
“We chose Legend because of its system specifications. It has said: “Exercise and fitness is a dynamic sector and SkillsActive needs
enabled us to be proactive with monitoring weekly sales figures to make sure the standards set in 2001 continue to be relevant, so
because head office can log on and check figures at any moment the TEG research project aims to give the industry a clearer picture of
rather than having to wait until the end of each week. This has what standards and qualifications will be needed for the future.”
improved the efficiency of our service to our clients.” Georgina Jupp said: “I have seen some incredible changes across
“Many improvements have been seen over the last three months, our sector. I therefore recognise the huge importance and significance
especially with us taking the responsibility of BACS amendments from of this mapping exercise to ensure we continue to deliver qualifications
the clubs which enables the staff to concentrate on other areas of and training that are current, fit for purpose, engage employer’s views
member service and retention. Reporting has been very useful for us and continue to demonstrate the professionalism of our industry.”
as well, assisting with stock reporting and investigating which The research will be carried out in consultation with the industry and
members are frequenting the club the most,” says Paul. anyone wishing to take part should email tom.bell@skillsactive.com
Death Valley trio raise
thousands for charity
Six marathons in six days in the per week for the past year on a
soaring temperatures of the treadmill provided by Life Fitness.
Nevada Desert proved to be a Darren comments: “I created a
real challenge for Darren heat booth surrounding the
Broomfield, Mike Spiring and treadmill which enabled us all to
Mick Smith. Yet despite the train in more realistic conditions.”
conditions, all three men Darren explained: “It was a real
completed a minimum of 120 slog – the roads were very difficult
miles of running each, raising to run on; the camber was very
over £17,500 for a hospital bad – making running extremely in) but we simply couldn’t prepare through adverse conditions
charity appeal. uneven on our feet and legs and ourselves for the long-distance showing a great deal of mental
The trio from Bristol, who set this took its toll right from the off. downhill running or the bad terrain and physical resilience.”
out to run six back-to-back But we all did as much as our – which made it a real pain!” Their nominated charity, The
marathons in temperatures bodies would permit; all of us Lawra Joseph, Marketing Grand Appeal, was established in
ranging from 28-35 degrees, were strong enough and fit Manager at Life Fitness, said: 1995 to support the rebuild of the
have been training several times enough (from the training we put “They’ve managed to battle on Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
06 UK LEISURE NEWS January / February 2008 www.ukleisurenews.co.uk
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