Fitness centre standards to control ‘exploitation’

Press, 23 April 1984, Page 2

Fitness centre standards to control ‘exploitation’

PA Wellington The Y.M.C.A. will introduce a code of practice because it is concerned about “unscrupulous” health and fitness centres. The association said that any industry which proliferated at the rate of health and fitness centres, was sure to attract proprietors who were more interested in profit than people. Mr Grantham, the chief executive of the national Y.M.C.A., said yesterday that a code of practice would help to standardise programmes at the 14 Y.M.C.A. health and fitness centres. It would be also a counter to the exploitation of the public by some of the

other centres. Mr Grantham was particularly critical of the lack of qualified instructors at some non-Y.M.C.A. centres. “We insist the people who supervise Y.M.C.A. programmes have at least the equivalent of a bachelor of physical education degree, from Otago University,” he said. “We are working on an accreditation of our staff but there is no doubt that some trainers in some other clinics have no qualifications at all.” Mr Grantham said that all the health and fitness organisations should get together to set standards. “I prefer the industry set the standards rather than someone legislate regulations —

legislation is harder to control. “All centres should be accredited in terms of personal testing, procedures, programming, staff qualifications, facilities, and equipment.” Mr Grantham said that Y.M.C.A. representatives from all centres had met regularly since August to prepare a code of practice. They were now able to finalise such a code. Staff of the Council for Recreation and Sport, and other specialists had been consulted. “We are keen to initiate discussions with the entire industry and present our standards as the base for these discussions,” said Mr Grantham.