Awarding body Active IQ will officially begin offering the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) qualifications in the UK next month.

The deal means that all UK training providers will now be able to add NASM courses on their training portfolio.

The courses were previously delivered exclusively by Premier Training as part of their graduate training.

Active IQ's deal with NASM also covers the delivery of the awards in Europe, Middle East and Brazil.

NASM is one of the leading global health and fitness qualifications with more than 25,000 people completing the courses each year.

According to Active IQ director, Mark Botha, all NASM courses deliver a holistic approach to training students.

"Our graduates will not only have the very best knowledge and understanding but they will understand the importance of member engagement and interaction,' he said.

The deal will also mark the first time the Optimum Performance Training (OPT) model will be made available in the UK.

OPT is based on scientific research and incorporates a range of training regimes - flexibility, cardio respiratory, core, balance, reactive, speed, agility, quickness, and strength.

Derek Crawford, fitness director at club operator Fitness First, said: "We have worked with the NASM model for the past three years and we fully endorse the theory behind the progressive nature of the training periodisation.

"We've introduced over 500 staff members to the model and have integrated it in to our new member induction process; from which we've witnessed some incredible results.

"The NASM model allows us to adopt a structured, systematic approach, ensuring our members are given the opportunity to achieve results specific to their needs, straight from day-one of their membership."