Shetland Recreational Trust staff qualify as Gym Instructors with Study Active

The candidates studied for their Active IQ Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification through our long-standing fitness education partner Study Active.

The need for this training was identified as part of a review into the Otago Falls Prevention programme which SRT runs in partnership with NHS Shetland. In order to maintain and increase provision of the Otago classes more Level 2 Gym Instructors were required. Gaining this qualification opens the door to many other training opportunities as a Level 2 is often the pre-requisite qualification required to access other courses.

The candidates are now all part way through their Otago Exercise Programme Instructor course and will be able to put their skills to use to support SRT customers across Shetland.

The seven delegates studied their qualification using a blended learning approach which saw them complete online learning modules whilst enjoying comprehensive tutor support throughout. The students then undertook the practical side of the qualification by performing “real work” activities such as conducting client consultations, performing gym inductions and of course training clients.

Throughout the qualification, units studied included Anatomy & Physiology, Health & Safety, Client Consultations and Planning & Instructing Gym-based Exercise. This diverse range of modules allowed all students to take a deep dive into the world of Gym Instruction and prepare them fully for working within this role.

A thorough assessment saw a mix of coursework, theory exams and practical exams, all of which were successfully passed by all delegates, which led to them being awarded their very well-deserved Certificate in Gym Instructing. It is now hoped that each of the successful delegates can now go on to provide fitness services within the SRT gyms to increase provision and accommodate the ever-growing number of people wishing to use the SRT facilities.

James Luscombe, Education Director of Study Active – one of the UK’s leading Personal Trainer Course providers - had the following to say on the project: “It was a privilege for the Study Active team to work with some of the wonderful staff at SRT. Their enthusiasm to develop themselves really shone through which led to them achieving some fantatsic results with their course work and examinations. I have no doubt that they can all put their new skills into very good use thus benefiting their local fitness community”.

George Mustard, Training & Development Officer for SRT commented further “We identified the need to upskill our talent pool so that there were more qualified staff in the discipline of Gym Instructing. We have successfully worked with Study Active before, so we reached out to them to assist us with this. I am very pleased with the end result and all delegates seem to be very enthusiastic to put their newly learned skills into practice”.

SRT Health and Wellbeing Community Liaison Officer Kerry Geddes said: “We have been so pleased to be able strengthen our partnership with NHS Shetland as part of this project. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank NHS Shetland’s Katrina Reid and Nicola Balfour who worked with us to pull together the project proposal and funding bid, and to the IJB who saw the merit of increased training for our staff.

“All the candidates worked hard and we have been delighted with the positive feedback from Study Active. The training allows us to help more people to get more active and fits in clearly with our vision to do so.”