Taff O’Donoghue, Exercise Referral Instructor and REPs Council Member “For me the change of the decade has to be more compliance with employment law by employers. Ten years ago it was unheard of, but outrageous, that even large public

authorities failed to afford instructors basic rights such as sick pay and holiday pay. They’re not all there (I’m dealing with a Trade Union grievance about it now) but it’s a lot better. The industry is now taken more seriously largely because of professional recognition and an agreed set of standardised qualifications.

“As for the next 10 years I’d like to see more of the general public taking part in regular exercise. It’s naive to think they’ll come along because of education, they’ll come and stay if we make it effective and enjoyable.”

Margaret Peggie OBE, Vice President, Fitness League “When I look back over the last 10 years I feel the greatest change has probably been the emergence of an increased range of options for fitness classes provided by freelancers as well as

clubs – Pilates, Yoga, Body Training Systems, Spinning, Alesha Dance, Zumba classes.

“I’m pleased to see the back of the idea that exercising has to be punishing for it to do you any good. Having Pilates, Yoga etc provided by fitness clubs makes a statement about intensity levels. Having Zumba classes makes a statement about having fun. However I do have concerns about Zumba because of the ease of access to anyone wanting to teach it. The low level of preparation for teaching, the speed at which the classes are taken with little warm up and preparation – all those things which make it potentially unsafe when taught by untrained people (better if the teacher has REPs level 2 Exercise to Music).”

Georgina Jupp, MD CK Academy

“I can’t imagine an industry now without REPs; it serves to give confidence, pride and assurance to fitness professionals, operators, customers and the medical profession. It continues to evolve and I believe will go from strength to strength as the impartial voice of the fitness sector.

“Over the last 10 years our sector has emerged as a real and viable route to improving health. The opportunities for fitness professionals working in a raft of different environments and the ability for our industry to remain exciting, relevant and committed to improving service are immense.

“Although I’m not sad to see the back

of high impact aerobics, I used to teach back to back classes and that was HARD, not to mention those leotards!”

14 The REPs Journal 2012;23(January):13-17 The REPS Journal 2009;00(Month):00-00

Debra Stuart, CEO, Premier Global

“REPs has played a major part in rationalising and quality-assuring health and fitness education over the past 10 years by setting clear levels of

entry and ensuring that training providers align their education to nationally accredited

qualifications. This has been a huge challenge for many training providers who have had to make significant investment in the modification of training programmes to meet national occupational standards. All credit to the industry in what we have achieved during those 10 years and the fact we are

now nearing 28,000 REPs registered fitness professionals.

“I have also been particularly impressed by the growth of outdoor fitness classes. This is a fantastic use of

external resources and a great way for personal trainers and fitness instructors to reach out to an untapped market away from the normal gym environment.”

Joyce McKellar, Chief Executive, Renfrewshire Leisure Limited

“The introduction of Body Training Systems exercise classes has seen a huge improvement in the quality and range of classes. Customers can attend classes at a range of facilities and the standard and delivery of the sessions is similar. The training of the

instructors has played a huge part in ensuring this rise in quality.

“The greatest change in the fitness industry over the last 10 years has in my opinion been the growth in the popularity of fitness gyms, group fitness and the move by local authority providers (Trusts) to allow payment by direct debit through the introduction of a club ethos at local authority facilities.

“I would like to see SkillsActive and REPs continue to develop training and CPD opportunities for staff to allow them to continue to assist in the drive to increase participation in activity to improve health and reduce obesity.”