The International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPs) Continues Global Expansion

07-11-2011

November 4 - Christchurch, New Zealand - The International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPs.org) has decided to expand its work supporting the development of voluntary national registers of exercise professionals.

ICREPs, formed in 2007, is a not-for-profit international partnership of national registers of exercise professionals, that collectively register close to 60,000 exercise professionals across the globe.  

Through ICREPs, the fitness industry benefits from increasing the portability of the labour market within ICREPs member countries, as well as substantial improvements in standards, professionalism and external credibility (including from the medical profession).   

ICREPs seeks to facilitate international portability and recognition for exercise professionals worldwide, to provide information and support to countries and regions that wish to develop registration systems for exercise professionals, and to facilitate the sharing of best practice systems between ICREPs members.

In the last twelve months ICREPs has admitted two new members, REPs Ireland and REPs South Africa, both have rapidly grown both in size and credibility.

To expand its ability to help additional countries, ICREPs has created a new associate membership category for countries at the early stages of establishing a register, as well as a guide for best practices in operating a registration system.

The Skills Active Global Network, a voluntary coalition of standard setting bodies has recently announced the development of a global template of standards that will be made available to countries without national standards. "These standards, together with ICREPs support will further facilitate the formation of national registers, while replicating their integrity and benefits," said Richard Beddie, Chair of ICREPs.  "It's an exciting time for the exercise industry, because of the proven benefits of national registration systems, and the external creditability registration provides".

"I am delighted with these significant new developments which will greatly assist IHRSA Member Club operators around the World in being assured of quality standards in both Instructor and Personal Trainer recruitment and ongoing professional development" stated Kilian Fisher, Chair of the IHRSA Board of Directors Membership & Standards Committee. "These significant developments and the work done by ICREPS Members in Milan follows the Cooperation Agreement signed in March 2011 at the IHRSA International Convention in San Francisco between IHRSA and ICREPs" added Fisher. The March 2011 agreement states that ICREPS recognizes IHRSA as the International Association of health clubs and associations, and that IHRSA recognizes ICREPS as the International Federation of National Registers of Exercise Professionals.

For further information contact ICREPS, icreps.org or info@icreps.org