India now has its first internationally recognised fitness qualifications in place, reflecting the phenomenal growth of a market currently estimated to be generating more than £250m a year.

The qualifications are approved and accredited by UK-based Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ) and are designed to recognise high professional standards and a benchmark of quality fitness instruction.

CYQ entered the Indian fitness market this year with training centres offering CYQ-approved fitness training courses to staff at the FitnessOne chain in south India through Impact Training, and at Bodyfit gyms in the country’s northern provinces via Drummond Education.

So far, around 150 instructors have taken the CYQ-approved Level 2 in Fitness Instructing Course, with most now ready to proceed to the Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training.

They are also eligible to join the Register of Exercise Professionals, opening up potential job opportunities worldwide.

Director of Drummond Education Gill Cummings-Bell says: “This offers us the opportunity to learn about the cultural, health and fitness needs of people in India.

“We aim to bring back that learning to the UK and incorporate it where appropriate, for example, in improving the way we communicate to the Indian community living in the UK.”