Survey reveals disabled gym members an “increasing priority” for the fitness industry
Engaging disabled people in gyms is becoming an “increasing priority” for fitness professionals who think that working with people with disabilities should be part of personal trainer qualifications, a UK survey has revealed.
Data from the report ‘Raising the Bar’ by Future Fit Training was collected by surveying the UK’s largest leisure operators, representing over 45,000 fitness employees. It reveals that 64 percent are making it a priority for their organisation to grow the proportion of disabled people in their membership base over the next five years.
In addition, the report identified that working with disabled people should be a core skill for fitness professionals, with 95 percent of respondents saying it should be included as standard in personal training qualifications, rather than being an optional study route.
41 percent of fitness professional respondents also confirmed running or having plans to run inclusive exercise sessions which are designed to include both disabled and non-disabled people.
First published in 2014, Raising the Bar is an annual review of the physical activity workforce, training and development landscape. The report is undertaken by Future Fit Training and supported by ukactive, which works to improve the health of the nation by getting people more active more often.
Rob Johnson, founder and MD of Future Fit Training, said: “In terms of looking ahead, these results are very positive and what we want to see from the fitness industry. There are nearly 14 million disabled people in the UK today, so gyms should be doing what they can to involve and engage them in fitness now and in the future.”
Despite the results, other data from the report noted that disabled people are not currently being catered for in gyms.
This includes 86 percent of fitness employees stating that current training does not equip personal trainers and fitness professionals to work with disabled people.
According to the report, more than half (61 percent) of UK fitness professionals are also unsure of what proportion of their customer base have a disability.
Rob continued: “While it’s clear to see that personal trainers are yet to be able to effectively engage disabled people, our findings highlight a positive drive among fitness employers to actively prioritise and progress in this area. This is becoming an increasing priority and that’s really good news. Fitness professionals may not be there yet, but things are progressing and could be very different in five years’ time.”
Future Fit Training, which aims to raise standards within the industry, is the leading training provider for personal trainers, nutrition advisers and pilates instructors in the UK.
https://thiis.co.uk/survey-reveals-disabled-gym-members-becoming-an-increasing-priority-for-the-fitness-industry/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/disabled-people-working-out-with-personal-trainer.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/disabled-people-working-out-with-personal-trainer-150x150.jpgNewsroomReports & Researchdisabled people,fitness industry,future fit training,gym,ukactiveRaising the BarEngaging disabled people in gyms is becoming an “increasing priority” for fitness professionals who think that working with people with disabilities should be part of personal trainer qualifications, a UK survey has revealed. Data from the report 'Raising the Bar' by Future Fit Training was collected by surveying the UK’s...Calvin BarnettCalvin Barnettcalvin.barnett@bhta.comAuthorTHIIS Magazine