SRSA is in the process of finalising the Fitness Regulation, which will include the Pilates industry. Once this regulation is in place (planned for 2011) Pilates education providers, studios and instructors will be affected. The summary below explains the major role players as it will affect the Pilates industry.

From a legislative perspective, there are two distinct classifications of role players in the Pilates (Fitness) industry:

1.     Education/training providers, and

2.     Employers (studios) and Instructors

Education Providers

Any provider of education and training falls under the Department of Education (DoE). To register with DoE, Pilates training providers must be quality assured by QCTO (Quality Council for Trade and Occupation). QCTO replaces Theta in 2010 for vocational (workplace) training.

Educational and curricular criteria are set by SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) according to levels determined by the NQF (National Qualifications Framework). For example, NQF level 4 is equal to a matric (grade 12) qualification and NQF level 5 training could be a certificate done post-matric.

In summary, a Pilates education (course) provider will have to accredit their course with QCTO and to do this, the course will comply with (e.g.) NQF level 5 definitions, called unit standards, as determined by SAQA.

After a period of time allowing education providers to comply, those providers not accredited will be illegal and will face the consequences.

Employers (studios) and Instructors

Employers in the Sport, Recreation and Fitness (SRF) sector are governed by the Department of Sport & Recreation, as well as other health, safety and employment laws.  The mandate of the Minister of Sport is carried out by SRSA (Sport and Recreation SA). SRSA is finalising the Fitness Regulation that will affect facilities (studios) and practitioners (instructors).

The SA Fitness Board will oversee the Fitness sector, setting standards for fitness professionals (instructors) and facilities (studios). Standards for instructors will be defined according to other national registers of exercise professionals (REPS) organizations, namely REPS in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the European Union. REPS in SA will register practitioners and ensure that they provide evidence of their qualifications. To meet REPS criteria, practitioners would provide certificates of recognised qualifications by accredited providers.  After a period of time, allowing Pilates professionals to comply, it will be illegal to practice without registration.

REPS in SA will liaise with ICREPS, the international confederation of all REPS worldwide. This will enable Pilates Instructors registered with REPS in SA to be recognized in any ICREPS country and vice versa.

It is anticipated that Pilates standards in REPS SA will be similar to the Pilates standards in UK REPS, which are well defined within relatively similar legislative structures.

Fitness Legislation - an update

The past 2 weeks have been busy for a number of Pilates bodies who studied the Fitness Regulation to provide feedback. We established that there are more than 2100 Pilates Instructors in SA, therefore we (Pilates instructors) represent more than 30% of the combined group of Personal Trainers and Pilates Instructors. This is good news for us, as it strengthens our case for representation in terms of the Fitness Regulation.

We provided feedback to SRSA (Sports & Recreation SA) who will update the Fitness Regulation after today. We will receive a copy of the amended Fitness Regulation once it is available. It is very positive that SRSA wanted feedback from the Pilates Industry - we were given an oppportunity to comment on the Regulation, which we did.

Once the Fitness Regulation is updated the next action from SRSA is to finalise the constitution of the Fitness Board. SRSA made it clear to us that the current draft of this constitution is a 1^st draft, this will change, and we will have an opportunity to comment on the constitution. The fact that we represent more than 30% when combined with the Personal Training industry, will strengthen our case to have representation on the Fitness Board.  SRSA also indicated that SA will adopt the REPS system for registering fitness professionals. The REPS system is in use in the UK, EU, Australia and New Zealand. Adopting the REPS system means SA will be adopting internationally accepted standards and provide international mobility for fitness professionals. Go to www.exerciseregister.org if you want to know more about REPS.

We will post a copy of our feedback on the facebook group SOUTH AFRICAN PILATES INDUSTY REGULATION FORUM and we will email a copy to those who indicated that they are not on facebook.

What should we do now? 

Give SRSA a chance to process our feedback and update the Fitness Regulation. We will update you on the revised Fitness Regulation once the information is available.

Post your questions on the facebook group or email us info@pilatesinfo.co.za

Background:

Up until now, the standards of safety, service and work quality in the large and growing SA fitness industry have been largely determined by those working in it (i.e. course providers, employers and employed). It is a valuable and expanding industry that will provide meaning and employment for many health-conscious, dynamic new South Africans. What is now required is somebody to make sure that the industry grows properly, remains safe and provides high quality services, equal or better than the standards offered in other developed countries of the world.

A draft Fitness Regulation, which will regulate the Fitness Industry in South Africa will be finalised by SRSA after 21 July 2010. A summary of the regulation is listed below.

In terms of this regulation, a Fitness Board will be formed which will determine and uphold standards within the Fitness Industry i.e. what will be required of an acceptable quality fitness professional/facility. Fitness professional refers to aerobic trainers, personal trainers, group class instructors, Pilates instructors and in fact anyone that leads an exercise session of any kind.

Sport & Recreation South Africa (SRSA) claims that no comment was received from the Pilates industry when the regulation was published for comment in 2009. Many people did comment but there must have been some administrative process problem that prevented the comments from getting where they needed to. We can accept this as a 'teething problem' in new legislative structures and we have been given more time - until 21 July 2010 - to provide comment.

The estimated time table for the legislative process provided by SRSA, is as follows:

·         The Fitness Regulation will be finalised after 21 July 2010

·         A workshop to discuss the constitution of the Fitness Board to be held around end August 2010 – attendees of this workshop will be able to provide comment on the constitution of the board

·         Fitness Board to be elected at this workshop or soon thereafter

·         The Fitness Board will represent all role players in the industry

·         SRSA aim to complete all the legislative processes by end 2010

Why should I care about the Fitness Regulation?

The Fitness Regulation will change the rules of practice in SA. You will have to register with the Fitness Board to practice as a Pilates instructor and, as the regulation stands at present, most people will not qualify! Even if you have a great education and experience, for example, unless you have cardiovascular equipment for clients to use, you will not qualify. SRSA would like to know what equipment Pilates instructors use, so they can add these details to the new regulations.

At the workshop (the fitness board workshop mentioned above), SRSA have asked that comments provided about the regulation should be backed up by a mandate from the Pilates industry. If you choose to do nothing about this, it will dilute the influence of our industry and we may find ourselves governed by rules that are unsuitable to Pilates.

How can a mandate from the SA Pilates industry be created FAST and effectively?

A facebook group has been created to hear your voice, it is called the SOUTH AFRICAN PILATES INDUSTRY REGULATION FORUM. The full Draft Fitness Regulation document is available on the facebook group Please join the group and make your point. Ask questions now (it may seem quite complex and full of jargon, at first) and we will get the correct answers to help you make a meaningful contribution.

It is critical to show support/comment from all the Pilates instructors in SA. If you do not have access to facebook please email us on info@pilatesinfo.co.za with your comments and questions.

What if I do not understand the document?

The facebook group is for discussion and questions, to create an understanding and clear up confusion around the legislation. If you decide not the read the document (it is quite long and detailed), just join the facebook group to be counted as part of the Pilates industry.

What about the petition being circulated?

The petition may not be successful, we may not have a choice about which government body regulates the industry - therefore we have to interface with SRSA and provide feedback. Being part of the petition does not mean you do not have to comment on this proposed legislation. The petition is available on the facebook group.

How do we ensure representation of Pilates in the legislation?

It is all about numbers! The latest estimate is that there are approximately 4500 personal trainers who will be eligible to register under this regulation. The Pilates industry estimates vary between 1000 and 2500, but we need to prove that we have the support of as many Pilates instructors as possible. The higher the % of Pilates instructors of the combined group of Pilates instructors and personal trainers, the stronger our case will be. The quickest way to prove our numbers is by joining the facebook group SOUTH AFRICAN PILATES INDUSTRY REGULATION FORUM - join, even if you decide not to comment, you need to be counted! We do not have a lot of time, so join now.

How will feedback to SRSA be compiled?

We intend to provide one comprehensive feedback document about the Fitness Regulation and the Constitution of the Fitness Board by the 21 July deadline. Your feedback will be included in this document, and support for the feedback will be based on members of the facebook group and emails received by Pilatesinfo. The feedback will be posted on the facebook group and circulated to interested parties who email us. You can access news about the Fitness Regulation on Pilatesinfo (red button on the home page).

What happens next?

The next step in proving support from the Pilates industry is to form a SA Pilates Board which has the mandate to represent the industry with SRSA and negotiate representation on the Fitness Board. The SA Pilates Board should comprise Pilates practitioners and education providers. Forming this Pilates Board is critical, as the Fitness Board will essentially make the rules for the industry, therefore we have to be fully represented on the Fitness Board. Pilatesinfo.co.za will initiate this process and we should aim to have this board in place by August. If you have any assistance to offer in this regard, please email us. We will circulate more details at a later date.

Please take action to have a say in your future

·         Join the facebook group SOUTH AFRICAN PILATES INDUSTRY REGULATION FORUM (or email us if you do not have access to facebook)

·        Send this information to Pilates instructors that may not be registered on Pilatesinfo - anyone can register for our newsletters, even if they are not certified yet.

Join the group to comment on the pending Fitness Regulation

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 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 (2011 is proposed), govern the Pilates industry. If you are part of the Pilates industry in any way (i.e. business, support or instructor), you need to add your voice. Join the facebook group and/or email us on info@pilatesinfo.co.za

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.

n       SYNOPSIS OF REGULATIONS: To provide for-

n       The establishment of a Fitness Board to oversee the implementation of Regulations;

n       The accreditation of fitness professionals and fitness establishments (gyms/studios) as well as the grading of gyms/studios;

n       The payment of fees for such registration;

n       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

n       Disciplinary action to be taken against owners/managers of gyms/studios and fitness professionals.

n       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 instructors, for example Studio owners. The Fitness Board will keep registers of Fitness Professionals and will require specific qualifications for professionals to register.

A Fitness establishment (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 cardio vascular 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.    

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.

If you wish to have a copy of the Fitness Regulation, please email us info@pilatesinfo.co.za - we will forward the document to you.

Please also join the Facebook group South African Pilates Industry Regulation Forum