Welcome to the Network Blog

by Analee Matthews | Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Welcome to the Australian Fitness Network Blog; your newest, weekly online update of what’s hot, happening and heavy in the Australian fitness industry. Right here is where you can sort the fact from the fiction and the grit from the gossip. In our first post we thought it important to provide you with a picture of the industry you work in.

Unfortunately, not much data currently exists about the make-up of our dynamic and ever-changing industry; however, Network is going to change that via a series of online surveys that are being developed right now, which will ensure that we can all become aware of exactly what is happening within our industry and where you sit amongst it all. In fact, we've just completed our first Personal Trainer survey and will post the results in our very next blog.

Recently we undertook a different survey - a membership survey, which provided us with an interesting picture of the composition of our industry. For example, we found out that the majority of respondents (43.3%) classified themselves as PTs, followed by 25.6% who identified as Group Ex instructors, 13.7% club owners/managers and the other 17.4% in assorted other roles. We also discovered that with the fitness industry being such a fast paced and growing one, there were many new people entering the industry each year, but it was also great to see that almost a quarter (22%) of respondents have been involved in the fitness industry for more than 10 years.

Which leads us to the victorious, air-punching part of this blog.

Over time, the Australian fitness industry has evolved into the current-day giant you live and breathe now. But did you know that Australia’s system of registration and the national standards of education that were imposed by the Government (in the form of the Standardised National Training Package in Fitness), has established Australia as a model of best-practice to countries around the globe? That’s right; you are part of a world-leading system of education standards that other countries admire and are seeking to establish locally.

For example, in Canada a company called CH Consulting has been engaged by the British Columbia Parks and Recreation Association (BCPRA), on behalf of the National Fitness Leadership Alliance (NFLA), to research potential models of national certification standards from around the world. The mission of the NFLA is, in fact, to raise fitness professional qualification standards within Canada, to ensure quality and safety as well as to support, promote and represent the needs of the fitness industry. Their ultimate goal is to support the larger mandate of a healthier and fit Canada through the assurance and availability of qualified physical activity leaders.

CH Consulting has been working with NFLA for the last six months, conducting exploratory research with stakeholders in two test markets while also looking at international models such as those that exist in Australia, the UK and New Zealand. CH also looked at the United States’ model, although not as one to follow necessarily since they do not have a single national standard, but rather to help identify the issues that Canada may face if they do not establish one national standard.

Have your say about the Aussie system of registration and/or education, and let us know what you think about the fact the world wants to copy us! To do so, simply post your comments here. It’s your chance to assume the top of the soapbox and speak to the industry directly.  Go for it!

Posted by: Ed | 16-Oct-2008 03:08 PM |

If you consider the high quality of facilities and standards of personal training and instruction evident on the gymfloor and in group exercise classes within Australian health clubs, it's not surprising that other countries have used the Australian system to influence the development of their own education and registration systems.

Posted by: Craig White | 21-Oct-2008 10:58 AM |

Great to see the blog up and running. What a credit it is to those who have contributed to the cutting edge content that goes into the framework formulated by the government. All the more kudos to you Network for leading the way!

Posted by: Ryan Hogan | 22-Oct-2008 12:17 PM |

Being Canadian and having worked in Canada in the fitness industry for years, coming to Australia and immersing myself in the industry here has certainly been an eye opening experience! The high level of standards in both education and regulation have certainly changed my whole perspective on what the fitness industry can be. Kudos to Network for leading the way!

Posted by: Leon | 27-Oct-2008 12:59 PM |

Hey- I love the blog- its a coup for network and a great way to meet peers. Anyway- has anyone seen this new metabolic testing product in action at fitness first? Its very cool and a new way to design cardio programmes.

Posted by: | 14-Nov-2008 09:10 PM |

I think there are some problems with the initial training in cert3 and cert 4, the couse I did was very mickey mouse, but since graduating three years ago and with all the educational opportunities available I feel that the system works well. Those who are keen and interested will collect their CEC's and keep progressing. It was great to see in the survey just how much time most people are putting in to continued education. WEll odne to the industry