Analysis and surveys of REPs members and its database continue to show some interests facts and figures.

Did you know that:

• Wales currently has the highest percentage of L3 members of any region in the UK
• 12 per cent of members have their first registration fee paid by a training provider
• 31 per cent of members have their registration fee paid their employer
• 57 per cent pay for themselves (with 8 per cent through associations)
• It seems that L2 gym instructors only spend 45 per cent of their time actually instructing
• The average salary for all instructors is £14,350 pa
• Permanent full-time employees earn an average of £15,200 pa
• The number of exercise referral qualified members increased by 50% in the past 18 months

Training for the future

Raising standards and promoting positive career development is something that is at the forefront of the Register’s aims.

This includes not only encouraging its members to continue their education within the industry but also ensuring they have access to the very best courses on offer.

The REPs’ website currently lists over 900 endorsed courses that offer quality controlled training with CPD points. The Website also lists approved training providers who deliver full qualifications and units of qualification. Currently more than 40,000 searches a month are made through the Register’s training provider directories.

With an impressive 90 per cent of surveyed members saying that they fully intend to still be working in the industry in three year’s time the commitment to CPD and career development by REPs members is clear. On average members spend over £300 and the equivalent of 5 days a year on training and career development.

New level 4 due in late 2007

The new level 4 category of specialist exercise instructor is due to be unveiled at the around the end of this year.

Brought in partly to meet increasing demands for fitness professionals to be able to work with groups of people with specific medical and health needs it’s hoped that the new level four framework will not only encourage more instructors to pursue new levels of expertise but also for training providers to offer suitable courses.

As the government increasing turns to the fitness industry to counteract levels of childhood obesity, rehabilitation for medical conditions such as heart attacks and strokes, and to keep a growing older population fitter and therefore healthier for longer the Register hopes the new level 4 framework will help to ensure these demands can be met.