The Benefits of Accreditation

FIAF – Federazione Italiana Aerobica e Fitness

Mimi Rodriguez AdamiTechnical Director

EA-Fitness Project“European Accreditation – Fitness”

Brussels, September 10th, 2010

Who we are…FIAF, with its technical sector Scuola Italiana Aerobica & Fitness - SIAF, is recognized by the Ministries of: Education, Labor, Health and the Regional Governments, as providers of Vocational Education & Training (VET) in the field of exercise & fitness and health related physical activities.

FIAF has been awarded the following accreditations

EQF Level 3

Fitness Instructor

Group Fitness Instructor

Aqua Fitness Instructor

EQF Level 4

Personal Trainer

Benefits of Accreditation (in general)

• Unification of the standards for conducting exercise throughout Europe• Facilitation of the evaluation of the fitness professionals• Facility of professional mobility throughout Europe• Enhancement of safety for exercise participants• Ensure the quality of the education imparted• Throughout Europe, when it comes to fitness, we are all speaking the same language.

Disadvantages of accreditation (if any)

In Italy, where there is little or no regulation of the fitness industry many instructors seek not the knowledge, skills and competency to teach fitness, but just a valueless certificate that confirms that they have followed a brief course (where an evaluation may not be contemplated) and have been declared instructors.

Disadvantages of accreditation (if any)

• Time consuming• Costly• Difficult• A practical AND theoretical

final evaluation.• Study is required• Physical practice is required.

The Italian situationEconomic situation is very badNo money available for training of individualsWrong idea of what fitness is (the media gives the wrong impression of fitness)No legal requirement for the qualification of fitness instructors: anyone can teachNo legal requirement for CPDThere is no one who can officially evaluate the instructors on an institutional level.

Our use of the accreditations obtained

Going to club chains and proposing that they send us their instructors for qualification or re-qualification.Contacting those currently working in the fitness industry who do not have a formal qualification to go through the testing process Attracting new people to a profession in the fitness for health industry

The future of European Fitness?

- Multibillion EURO industry needs to understand the importance of the fitness professional- National Legislation needs to require the qualification of fitness professionals- Stronger links to the medical professions- More funding of EU projects to enhance physical activity for health via qualified professionals using new educational techniques (eg, e-learning)- New roles for fitness professionals- New qualifications for fitness professionals- New organizations for fitness professionals

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING

“MORE PEOPLE” “MORE ACTIVE”

“MORE OFTEN”

THANK YOUTHANK YOUQuestions ?

FIAF - SIAF

Federazione Italiana Aerobica & Fitness

P. O. Box 6284I - 00195 ROME

Phone: +39 06 37352328Fax: +39 06 3720717

e.mail: info@fiaf.it - www.fiaf.it