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Regulate fitness industry
Jan 7, 2010
THE Singapore Sports Council or the Health Promotion Board should look into setting up a regulatory body to ensure that the fitness industry shapes up and follows acceptable standards.
Rising medical costs and awareness of the importance of health and fitness have led to a boom in the fitness industry. But many engage poorly qualified trainers who are simply jumping on the band- wagon.
Many call themselves 'fitness consultants', 'fitness directors' and 'master trainers', but if you check their qualifications, you soon realise many of these certifications can be bought online or via correspondence.
Fitness training is more than just the same exercises day in and day out, pushing your clients to do more and then suggesting they drown themselves in protein shakes. Many of these so-called trainers just want to sell their expensive packages and care little about their clients' health. Ask them about nutrition or the latest training methodologies, and they are stumped.
Fitness training should be holistic, including fitness assessments, anaerobic and aerobic training, flexibility and nutrition. Trainers should be skilled, experienced and qualified.
We need experts who know how to conduct fitness training for those who suffer from high blood pressure, asthma and diabetes - not trainers with online certifications or trophies from a Mr Singapore modelling contest.
Regulatory bodies govern doctors, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and physiotherapists. It is only logical to set up a regulatory body to beef up standards in the fitness industry which is in a sorry state. Don't wait until injuries occur under poorly qualified trainers.
References
1. ST Forum by Andrew Lee, http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_474381.html
Jan 7, 2010
THE Singapore Sports Council or the Health Promotion Board should look into setting up a regulatory body to ensure that the fitness industry shapes up and follows acceptable standards.
Rising medical costs and awareness of the importance of health and fitness have led to a boom in the fitness industry. But many engage poorly qualified trainers who are simply jumping on the band- wagon.
Many call themselves 'fitness consultants', 'fitness directors' and 'master trainers', but if you check their qualifications, you soon realise many of these certifications can be bought online or via correspondence.
Fitness training is more than just the same exercises day in and day out, pushing your clients to do more and then suggesting they drown themselves in protein shakes. Many of these so-called trainers just want to sell their expensive packages and care little about their clients' health. Ask them about nutrition or the latest training methodologies, and they are stumped.
Fitness training should be holistic, including fitness assessments, anaerobic and aerobic training, flexibility and nutrition. Trainers should be skilled, experienced and qualified.
We need experts who know how to conduct fitness training for those who suffer from high blood pressure, asthma and diabetes - not trainers with online certifications or trophies from a Mr Singapore modelling contest.
Regulatory bodies govern doctors, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and physiotherapists. It is only logical to set up a regulatory body to beef up standards in the fitness industry which is in a sorry state. Don't wait until injuries occur under poorly qualified trainers.
References
1. ST Forum by Andrew Lee, http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_474381.html
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