Fitness, Sales and Recruitment

Q - Are the Leisure Industry Academy’s' (LIA) Level 2, 3, 4 and Les Mills / BTS courses accredited?

A- Yes the LIA courses are all REPS accredited and the amount of points given per course is shown in each course description page. The LIA are a learning centre for ACTIVE IQ, one of only three learning providers acknowledge by REPS (ACTIVE IQ, OCR, and CYQ) for level 2/3 course. We pride ourselves in delivering courses that are nationally recognised, improve your earning potential; increase your employability as a REPS member whilst increasing your health and fitness knowledge.

Q – What is the difference between ACTIVE IQ, CYQ and OCR Level 3 personal training course and a VTCT Level 3 personal training course that is currently being delivered by other training providers in the UK?

A - ACTIVE IQ, OCR, CYQ are recognised by REPS; VTCT is not a recognised qualification by REPS? You may find that if you have completed a VTCT course you will not be eligible for REPS accretion and more importantly not gain work as a Personal Trainer. Companies that this would impede you working for would be Fitness Agents, LA Fitness, Fitness First, David Lloyd, and Esporta as they only use staffs who are RPS certified.  Always make sure that all courses are REPS accredited and contact them if you are unsure. Note- VTCT will not gain you a Personal Trainer status with REPS pre 2007 (email REPS for more info)

Q- What is a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and where can I find out about this?

A - CPD are course that improve your knowledge with a specific industry such as fitness or customer services (Read more). We at the Leisure Industry Academy only provide course that are REPS accredited. Be careful that if you train with another training provider that you are not doing an in-house workshop that means nothing to a future employer!

Q -Does the LIA Continuous Professional Development give me accredited REPS points?

A - YES! Each course has been verified via Skills Active and you will receive your REPS points. We believe that we are setting new standards and all other training providers will have to follow our lead.

Q- Should I do a CPD that is not nationally recognised outside of the training provider even if it is relatively inexpensive?

A- That would be totally your decision; however, if you are paying for a workshop, seminar or conference, you would expect it to be REPS accredited or from a respected/academic guest speak? Spending £100-£3000 on courses/CPD that is not recognised by REPS may be a waste of money if you try to gain employment!

 Approved Qualifications
The good news is there are many training providers whose qualifications have SkillsActive Approval and are therefore recognised by REPs. These qualifications have been developed specifically for the fitness industry focusing on teaching and instructing safe and effective exercise and exercise programmes for a wide range of participants and are certified through the following awarding bodies;

• Active IQ
• Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ)
• City and Guilds
• Edexel
• OCR (Formally RSA)
• VTCT (post September 2007)

Training Providers and Awards NOT Recognised by REPs

Schedule of training providers who are NOT recognised by REPs or approved for entry or for units of qualification (additional category of registration):

• BAWLA
• BWLA
• NABBA
• AFOGB
• BSY (British School of Yoga)
• GB Fitness
• IIST
• Hydro-Actif (training recognised for CPD only, not for entry to the REPs)
• The National Home Study College
• WABBA (unless a City & Guilds NVQ)
• HFI Training

Other training not recognised by REPs includes:

• Sports Coaching
• Dance Qualifications
• Physiotherapy Degrees (unless you also hold a recognised exercise and fitness qualification)
• Thai Chi
• Martial Arts
• Boxing
• Exercise classes taught with babies and or buggies