Employing certified fitness professionals was recently named as one of the top 10 fitness trends for 2023 based on the annual ACSM Health and Fitness Journal’s worldwide survey.
This comes as no surprise considering the unfortunate rise of low-cost, low-quality training that grew throughout the pandemic. Choosing regulated qualifications not only stands for credibility, but it ensures that learners are highly employable and well equipped to help and coach a wide range of clients. For many people, this helps forge a new, potentially life-changing career path.
Rachel’s Story
When Rachel was just 18 months old, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture. In 2018, she underwent a life-changing spinal operation to correct a curve and help her mobility.
“I was in a lot of pain after the surgery,” explains Rachel. “I was extremely weak and couldn’t get up. The recovery was quite intense.”
To help her regain her mobility, Rachel did physiotherapy and pool exercise, but it wasn’t until she returned to the gym, one year after her operation, that she started to make real gains in her abilities.
Rachel did physiotherapy and pool exercise, but it wasn’t until she returned to the gym, one year after her operation, that she started to make real gains in her abilities. In 2018, Rachel reached out to a trainer to help her build her strength up. “I started going to the gym 2-3 times a week, eventually adding weight training to my routine.
In 2018, Rachel reached out to a trainer to help her build her strength up. “I started going to the gym 2-3 times a week, eventually adding weight training to my routine. Every week, I could see improvement and mentally, I started to feel like myself again. My trainer helped me massively.”
The experience in the gym was so profound that Rachel decided she wanted to help people like herself and become a qualified personal trainer. She reached out to us at The Fitness Group, the leading UK fitness education provider to start her journey to become a fitness professional.
Working with Active IQ as their awarding organisation, we offer a tailored education experience for students. The Fitness Group is now the UK’s leading training providers, with partnerships ranging from TRX to the Ministry of Defence. They offer a range of full-time, part-time or online courses to students across the UK in everything from Gym Instructor and PT courses to nutrition and sports massage.
Today, Rachel has successfully completed her Level 2 Fitness Instructor qualification and her Level 3 Personal Training Qualification.
“Training has changed my life so much,” she said. “It’s opened my eye up to possibilities.”
Since working with her trainer, Rachel has made massive gains in her fitness. She can lift 90kgs on her back, has completed a 10km race and even did a fitness photoshoot where she felt strong and confident.
She also has big plans for the future. Rachel recently launched her own online coaching business with her first sessions set to start in March. All 12 spots have been filled, three of which are with clients with cerebral palsy.
“My coach was amazing. He knew what cerebral palsy was and he was able to help me, but he didn’t have firsthand experience like I do,” said Rachel. “I know I can help people like me and inspire them.”