So you should be as pleased as we are that the CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) initiative is picking up speed as a much improved alternative to REPs membership.
Employers have been frustrated by the variable quality of REPs-accredited professionals and asked CIMSPA to create a new directory system (can be viewed at www.cimspa.directory) that can guarantee the quality of its members by ensuring they hold recognised qualifications delivered by CIMSPA-endorsed training providers. Members are required to successfully complete 10 points per year to maintain their membership.
CIMSPA are backed by Sport England, evidenced in the ‘Towards an Active Nation’ strategy and the Government in its new strategy produced by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport called ‘The Sporting Future’. Furthermore CIMSPA are working alongside ukactive to provide a solid framework for fitness professional education with the objective of making more people, more active, more often.
Earlier on in 2016, we were chosen by CIMSPA to be their launch CPD partner. We are the only training provider to currently offer a full range of level, 2, 3 and 4 quality assured professional fitness courses which are offered as endorsed or developmental courses by CIMSPA. Our objectives are mutually in line with raising the bar towards higher standards of training, and a greater appreciation of the professionalism of the fitness industry.
The list of CIMSPA employer partners is long and growing fast. Employer members are committed to employing only CIMSPA member fitness professionals in order to promote consistent and high standards of training throughout the country. In addition, employers have committed to only sourcing qualifications from CIMSPA recognised awarding organisations. You can see a full list of CIMSPA employer partners here to give you a full understanding of the industry’s commitment to date: http://www.cimspa.co.uk/
It means you will work in a respected industry, where standards are regulated and your qualifications are valued. It means that non-qualified fitness professionals and those not upholding their CPD commitment will find it difficult to continue to work in the industry. Quite rightly so, since as a fitness professional now working with specialist populations is more of a norm than an exception, we should be expected to continue our training, in light of our responsibility for our client’s health.
You can join CIMSPA as an exercise & fitness member as follows:
1) CIMSPA Affiliate – for anyone holding a recognised level 2 qualification – £30 per year
2) CIMSPA Practitioner – for anyone holding a recognised level 3 qualification or higher – also £30 per year
(Please note that if your qualification is older than 5 years, you will need to evidence CPD).
12 MONTH CIMSPA SUBSCRIPTION INCLUDED WITHIN THE PRICE OF YOUR PROZONE MEMBERSHIP*
Our Future Fit School of PT experts have developed a unique educational learning platform called the ProZone to ensure that fitness professionals have access to affordable CPD and continuous education via a private Facebook group with accredited webinars.
Membership costs only £15 a month or £165 for the year in advance and with the latter payment option – in advance, we include a 12-month subscription* to CIMSPA (subject to CIMSPA eligibility criteria) worth £30.
A ProZone membership provides you with a full 12-month access to the group with 24/7 content and an incredible educational plan including one accredited webinar per month, and one industry partner webinar per month.
Academy of the Body – Mindset coaching training, Katie Bulmer-Cooke – Build your fitness business, Yvonne Radley – PR expert – Raise your media profile, Wild Training – Deliver engaging outdoor group training programs, Strength & Conditioning Education – Training for sports performance, HPT5 – Biomechanics and injury management, Mac Nutrition – Leading nutrition advice and more every month!