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Predicted to "have an impact on the fitness industry across the world", the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPs) has released the first ever global standards for exercise professionals.

Based on the common standards used by national registers around the world, ICREP's global standards are particularly useful for countries that are looking to set up a national register, helping to ensure their trainers and clubs meet international standards.

Current members of ICREPs include New Zealand, Australia, UK, South Africa, Ireland, Canada and the UAE, and collectively they have over 60,000 exercise professionals registered.

All individuals registered are not only assessed against national standards, but they also must complete regular ongoing education, and are bound by a code of conduct.

Introducing the innovation, a statement from ICREPs explained "health and fitness is a global industry where club operators and independent trainers provide exercise for many hundreds of millions of people across the world.

"Providing safe and quality exercise relies on skilled and knowledgeable instructors working in the industry. "

In addition to the global standards, ICREPs also operates a portability arrangement between its members, meaning exercise professionals that have been confirmed as meeting standards in one country can be recognised (and register in) another ICREPs member country, subject to meeting any other local requirements such as first aid, or ongoing education requirements.

ICREPs Chairman Richard Beddie says "Having agreed global standards is a huge step forward in helping bring portability around the globe for exercise professionals.

"While each national register is free to set their own standards, the global standards are the common standard used across almost all countries with national registers, so provide an excellent framework for new emerging registers, as well as a basis for reviewing raining providers where there is no register."

ICREPs global standards are substantive set of documents, developed by ICREPs and reviewed by international occupational standards expert Geoff Carrol. They cover a comprehensive range of standards for personal trainers, gym instructors and group exercise instructors.

Beddie concludes "the exercise industry has reached new levels of professionalism over the past ten years making sure trainers can be measured against set standards and that those wishing to work in the industry are able to access high quality education.

"The introduction of these global standards will see this professionalism grow worldwide, and the industry become even stronger."

The globalstandards may be accessed from the ICREPs web site.

For further information contact ICREPs Chair Richard Beddie on

richard@icreps.org
http://www.icreps.org

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