URGENT ACTION REQUIRED by ALL SA PILATES PROFESSIONALS

09 July 2010 - Posted by James Raaff in In the press, News

Join our group to comment on the development of regulations for the SA Fitness Industry

A facebook group has been created to hear your voice. Please read the summary of the draft regulations below. The full document, which will only be finalised after all your input, is available on the facebook group South African Pilates Industry Regulation Forum.

Please join the group and make your point, ask questions (it may seem quite complex and full of jargon). Using facebook we can all see what is being discussed and we can, together, make sure Pilates grows in this country.

It is urgent! We have until 21 July to submit comments to the government organisation that will write the regulations. These regulations will, one day (near the end of 2010, we think), help raise the education and service standards in the SA Pilates industry. If you are part of this industry (in any way i.e. business, support or instructor), you need to add your comment.

THE NATIONAL SPORT AND RECREATION ACT, 1998(ACT NO. 110 OF 1998 AS AMENDED)

FITNESS INDUSTRY OF SOUTH AFRICA REGULATIONS, 2009 - Summary

The Minister for Sport and Recreation has under section 14 of the National Sport and Recreation Act, 1998 (Act No. 110 of 1998 as amended), and after consultation with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, made the Regulations in the Schedule.

SYNOPSIS OF REGULATIONS WHICH WILL PROVIDE FOR:

• The establishment of a Fitness Board to oversee the implementation of Regulations;
• The accreditation of fitness professionals and fitness establishments (gyms/studios) as well as the grading of gyms/studios;
• The payment of fees for such registration;
• The prohibition for gyms/studios not to employ persons who are not legally registered or to operate as a gym/studio unless such a gym/studio has been accredited in terms of these Regulations; and
• Disciplinary action to be taken against owners/managers of gyms/studios and fitness professionals.
• Creation of offences in violation of the regulations

The Regulation specifies that a person should be registered with the Fitness Board in order to practice as a Fitness Professional (this will include Pilates instructors) and employ other registered instructors. The Fitness Board will keep registers of Fitness Professionals and will require specific qualifications for professionals to register.

A Fitness establishment (gym/studio) must also be accredited (listed) with the Fitness Board. There are specific requirements and gradings (blue, bronze, silver, gold, platinum) for fitness establishments. Single purpose establishments (e.g. just offering Pilates) can be graded up to Gold and multi purpose establishments can be graded to Platinum.

The regulation specifies equipment that should be available. It also specifies that studios will be graded dependent on the qualifications of staff and equipment available. For example, a blue grading will require at least one cardiovascular mode of equipment (e.g. cycle) and strength & conditioning modes of equipment (e.g. therabands).  A blue graded establishment’s fitness professionals must be registered at a certain level of competence, must have CPR/First aid training, only permit ‘apparently healthy’ clients and comply with the Occupational Health & Safety Act, as well as the act against Discrimination.

There are special requirements, with regard to the facility and the staff, should the facility accommodate any disabled clients. For Golf and Platinum level accreditation, estabilshments will need to accomodate physically challenged clients and those with impaired vision.

There will be a registration fee payable and a certificate will be issued once the registration is successful. There will be a specific code of conduct and scope of practice specified by the Fitness Board. The Fitness Board can take disciplinary action against a Fitness Professional that contravenes the code of conduct.

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