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Jean-Ann's Response to the Times Article  
 06/09/2010
What a shame that the only way to grab headline attention is with yet another negative jibe at the fitness industry. As Registrar of the Register of Exercise Professionals, instructor for 26 years and tutor/assessor on 14 year's worth of teaching the teacher courses I feel I am extremely well placed to comment on this article.

I have been involved in the standards upon which the Register is based now for many years and I can confirm that at NO TIME have the standards focused on core stability above any other form of exercise. I believe this to be a totally unfair and incorrectly judged accusation. All Registered REPs instructors understand the need for balance and an all-over body approach. No one is out there stating that Pilates or core stability is the answer to everything. We, in the industry, absolutely know and understand the need for the whole body approach to exercise including all its systems from the heart, lungs and circulatory system, to energy systems, the nervous system and bones, joints and muscles etc. What we are trying to change in this country is the lack of working these systems which is currently the case with the majority of the population.

There is another angle on this and that is an individual’s likes and dislikes and the fitness industry responds to this by providing variety. You can find abdominal classes, Pilates classes and legs, bums and tums classes etc. These are not pretending to be cardiovascular classes but it is up to the individual to chose what works for them. Surely we should be encouraging people to participate in any exercise rather than the sedentary lifestyle that most of us lead - which is quite frankly killing us off.

I am surprised that The Times saw fit to publish such a poorly thought out and negative article. Given the media's obsession with the obesity crisis maybe The Times should be commissioning articles that promote the key to keeping fit, and maintaining a zest for exercise, is variety, balance and enjoyment, safe in the knowledge your instructor is properly qualified. For peace of mind, always choose a REPs Registered Instructor.