Hundreds of independent operators across the UK are joining the larger operators in full support of the Register of Exercise Professionals.

Commitment to employ only registered fitness professionals is growing which suggests it is becoming increasingly difficult for those without registration to gain employment. Examples of independent operators only employing registered professionals include Club Kingswood, Basildon, Jubilee Hall Clubs, London and VVV Health and Leisure Club, Lancashire.

Jubilee Hall Clubs operate four health clubs in London and employ fifteen fitness professionals. All existing staff are now registered and it’s policy that all new fitness employees will either already be registered or will, with the financial support of Jubilee Halls, gain registration as soon as possible. It is also a target to register all staff at Level 3.

Phil Rumbelow, Jubilee Hall chief executive, said: “The Register adds credibility to the service we offer. Customers using our facilities can be confident that all staff providing exercise and activity advice hold nationally verified qualifications, have adequate insurance cover, commit to continuing professional development and work within a code of ethical conduct.”

The VVV Health and Leisure Club, based in Lancashire, is an independent health club serving 2,700 members. It currently employs 20 fitness staff all of whom are now on the Register.

The registration of all staff is financed by the company said Julie Muckle, club manager: “The REPs is a very worthy initiative and is long overdue. It’s imperative that our customers are able to have total confidence in the advice they receive from our fitness staff. The Register provides this and also endorses the fact that our site is a reputable, caring and professional place to visit.”

Georgina Jupp, director of development at Club Kingswood in Basildon, agrees: “We employ 18 studio instructors and 21 fitness staff, all of whom are signed onto the Register. We choose to fund the registration of all staff and will continue to do so because it’s vital that we demonstrate a commitment to the highest standards for both our members and fitness staff.”

Sites attaining 100 per cent registration of fitness staff are invited to display a plaque, produced by Alive! Promotions to communicate this commitment to customers.