Accreditation
Quality-assured by UK standards
IFA works with UK awarding bodies and registers, and is a CIMSPA Training Provider Partner.
What being a CIMSPA Training Provider Partner means
As an approved Training Provider Partner, IFA is recognised for delivering quality-assured qualifications and CPD. IFA's education and training are reviewed against professional standards for the sport, fitness, leisure and physical activity sector.
What is CIMSPA?
The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity is the professional development body for the UK's sport and physical activity sector. It traces its origins back to 1921.
How IFA courses map to UK levels
Fitness Instructor is equivalent to UK Level 2 and Personal Trainer to UK Level 3: the levels Gulf employers ask for when they advertise for "REPs Level 3 or equivalent".
Independent quality assurance
Quality assurance is led by Pete Davies, a consultant quality assurer for Saudi REPS, Ireland Active and Malta REPS, and formerly Lead External Verifier at EuropeActive.
TODO(IFA): name the awarding body, the exact CIMSPA partner level and any register recognition per country. About CIMSPA (opens in a new tab)
Questions
Before you enrol
Will gyms in my country recognise the qualification?
IFA is a CIMSPA Training Provider Partner. The Fitness Instructor course is equivalent to UK Level 2 and Personal Trainer to UK Level 3, the levels Gulf employers ask for in job adverts. TODO(IFA): name the awarding body and any register recognition per country.
Is the course taught in Arabic?
Courses are taught in English, so you need an adequate level of English. You can also attend most classes live from home on Zoom, apart from some practical days. TODO(IFA): confirm which cohorts are taught in Arabic.
Do I need experience to start?
No previous qualification is needed for Fitness Instructor. Personal Trainer needs a Fitness Instructor (Level 2 or equivalent) qualification first.