Reps

[BennyC]

Who here is REPS registered?

The first I heard about REPS was when completing my Level 2. Being told the course was recognised I assumed I was automatically on the register upon completion.

Turns out it costs £80 per year including Public Liability Insurance.

Is it something that HAS to be done in order to work in the fitness industry? Similar to a plumber being CORGI registered? Or is there just a high preference for it?

Regards

BennyC

[bigguns]

I don't think it's essential. They provide insurance so you can take your insurance out with them or you could with Fit Pro. I think REPS make it seem to PT's its essential so they make more money, the same as NRPT, lots of trainers used to believe that NRPT was actually some professional register you need to be on, but it isn't. NRPT used to bring in quite a bit of business for PT's but this seems to have dried up for lots of PT's.

[BennyC]

Thanks for the reply.

I've noticed some employers just require Level 3 recognised REPS qualifications, where as others require this PLUS being REPS registered.

As I'm not looking for work until June it doesn't make much point in registering now or really until I've finished my PT modules at the end of July.

I've noted some employers will even pay this for you.

I think it's something I'll do if/when I go free lance providing it can bring in a bit of business. Seems a bit of a farce just to say I'm 'REPS' registered. It wouldn't bother me if it was a one off fee for a lifetime registration. Seems a bit steep! Unless they offer something that's worth the £80.

How much can public liability insurance be purchased for roughly in comparison?

Nearer the time I might register for £25 but then get insurance from somewhere else if it's significantly cheaper.

[RobPT]

Liability insurance with fit pro is about £85 a year, I have been doing my insurance with them for my whole career.

[BennyC]

Originally Posted by RobPT

Liability insurance with fit pro is about £85 a year, I have been doing my insurance with them for my whole career.

Ahh in that case the REPS package doesn't seem like such a bad deal.

[pink runner]

I'm REPS registered as at the time I didn't have an employer. I've discovered that most employers cover this for you, as mentioned by Bigguns, unless you're freelancing for them, then some like you to have your own cover. I've now got an employer and I'm covered on their insurance, but having my own insurance means I have the freedom to do my own thing on the side should I wish. I found REPS the cheapest option when I was shopping around.

[Mike]

REPs is the membership organisation set up by SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Wellbeing. There are 25 Sector Skills Councils operating under a licence from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills that has to be renewed every 5 years. The legal authority for this process comes from the Industrial Training Act 1964.

However, there is no legal requirement for fitness instructors to be members of REPs. It isn't the same as the licensing scheme for doctors and nurses, where each practitioner has to be individually licenced. It's optional, but it's very much in our interests to apply for membership because it reassures our customers that we have done the training and passed our exams.

It's hard to think of a reason for not joining. The annual membership fee is only £25 (and the cost of insurance is irrelevant because you have to buy it anyway).

I've written about this is more detail on my web page: mgpersonaltraining.com/reps.htm