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Our industry has suffered a number of body-blows in the press recently. Many of the comments relating to a lack of faith in our product and our people (eg. www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2766840.htm). In an environment where the general public are repeatedly reminded that anyone can become a qualified Personal Trainer in just weeks, there is considerable value in being able to clearly recognise differences in experience and qualifications.

Enter Centrality.

Last November the Centrality group launched it's 'Centrality Health Consultant' (CHC) program. This is a new certification for the health and fitness industry that provides another way for you, as a practitioner, to differentiate yourself to both employers and clients. As well as setting clearly defined expectations, CHC certification includes professional indemnity insurance, one free industry accredited training day a year and the ability to work towards getting a health insurance provider number.

The CHC certification program involves an ongoing monthly fee of $29 which includes;

• Professional Indemnity insurance
• One full day of industry accredited training every 12 months in a session of your choice
• Discounts on industry events
• 24/7 email assistance.

For more information on registration, a look at their TV commercial and a full list of upcoming training sessions head to http://www.centralityhc.com/. Public Liability insurance is also available for an additional fee.

How do you become a 'Certified' CHC? You must first have a relevant industry qualification (minimum Cert IV in Fitness). You are then required to demonstrate success with at least five clients via completion of their 'Best Practice' framework booklets. Once these booklets have been signed off by an appropriately qualified professional your certification can then be approved. From a Certified CHC you have the opportunity to progress to a Senior and ultimately Master consultant, each accreditation carrying it's own minimum requirements. At Senior and Master levels you're eligible to receive a health insurance Provider Number with two major health insurers.

I think this CHC certification is a great way to provide industry professionals with the ability to differentiate themselves, ultimately leading to greater confidence in us all as an industry. A lot of work has gone into the development of this certification, in particular, securing insurance and provider numbers. I congratulate Paul Reid and his Centrality group for providing a service with real potential to make a difference.

If you're qualified as a Centrality Health Consultant, you can now indicate this in your HealthyPeople registration, making it easier for employers to recognise your additional qualifications and experience.

I welcome your views on this. Please add any comments to our blog.

IN OTHER NEWS:

• A rare National Fitness Division Coordinator role with Genesis is now available (Melbourne based). Check the details at http://www.healthypeople.com.au/applynow_professional.aspx?Vacancy=678&StateID=6&CategoryID=28

Tags : Genesis Health Consultant Melbourne

Preggi Bellies is Australia's leading strength and fitness class designed specifically for pregnant and postnatal women. Operating throughout Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, they have a strong and loyal team of specially qualified group exercise instructors. There are now opportunities for passionate instructors to join their team as a leader of their original fitness and strength classes for pregnant and postnatal women or leading their new and exhilarating 'Back to Body' program.

A generous starting rate is provided per session. Rate increases are provided on a yearly basis. Bonuses are also provided for signing up new participants that are sent by the head office to attend on a trial basis.

Before starting with Preggi Bellies you will need to undertake their initial three day specialised training course. This is the most comprehensive course of it's nature. It's been developed in conjunction with obstetricians and follows the Australian College of Obstetrician guidelines. Once on board, you'll receive ongoing training, including 2-3 free workshops every year (CEC accredited).

Preggi Bellies pride themselves on the liaison and support they provide for their instructors. In support of this, a conversation with Naomi in their head office revealed an unprecedented fitness industry staff retention rate. Preggi Bellies has 40 - 50 instructors working across three states with an average time with the company of more than seven years! (Naomi began as an instructor approximately 6 years ago).

If you're interested in learning more about working with pregnant or postnatal women, follow this link and select the relevant Preggi Bellies profile on HealthyPeople.

An unrelated true story:

I was waiting on my bike at a pedestrian crossing to get over a busy road in Melbourne this morning when a couple riders decided to shoot across the road against the red man. No sooner had they cleared the road when they were flagged down by a couple of policemen in bike gear waiting on the other side. One rider stopped but the second took off! One of the policemen jumped on his bike and took off after him. It was a full on police chase on bikes! Regrettably I can't tell your whether he got away, but as he took off into the distance he was clearly giving it a red hot go.

I don't condone running red lights on bikes, whether an intersection or pedestrian crossing, it gives all riders a bad name. However it does seem a little excessive to be busting riders across a pedestrian crossing against the red man. I am not entirely sure how this benefits anyone.

Do you ride a bike? Do you have an opinion? If so, please share it with the wider community on our blog.

Tags : Sydney Melbourne Australia Brisbane Preggi Bellies pregnant and postnatal women

Genesis Fitness are a combination of company owned and franchised facilities. They've experienced fantastic growth (in Melbourne in particular) over the last few years. As a recruiter I have witnessed many employees move through the ranks into management roles with some candidates actually becoming an owner (or part owner) of their own Genesis facility.

Here's an opportunity to join this leading health and fitness group as they move into the NSW market.

Club management, Sales Management, Personal Training and Membership sales roles available.

To find out more about opportunities that may suit you, check out the following links:

Club Managers, Sales Managers, Personal Trainers, Membership Sales

Tags : Club Manager Membership Sales Genesis management Sales Manager Personal Trainer Melbourne

I've been informed of a short term corporate health opportunity. It offer eight hours a day, five days a week, from the 26th July to the 3rd September.

Minimum requirement is cert iii & iv fitness.

Location is Melbourne South.

If you'd like more information send me an email.

Tags : corporate health Melbourne

Congratulations to Belinda Amis on taking over the Management of the fantastic new Genesis Port Melbourne facility.

Her departure from the role of State Operations Manager (Victoria) for Goodlife Health Clubs created an opening that was filled by Chris Kemp (congratulations again), who had recently resigned from a regional role with Fitness First.

Tags : Fitness First Genesis management Melbourne Operations Manager Port Melbourne Goodlife Health Clubs Belinda Amis Chris Kemp

Thank you to all that emailed me regarding the Melbourne opportunity. We have a couple of great leads we are following up on. As a result of the success in Melbourne I thought I'd provide the same thing for a great opportunity in Brisbane.

We are currently looking for a Membership Sales person for BTC in Kelvin Grove, a unique facility that offers it's members relaxation, health, martial arts and self-defence classes. It is the largest facility of its kind in Queensland and will provide the successful applicant with a demonstrated ability to earn in excess of $60,000 (well worth a look). If you know someone that you think would enjoy such a role, please encourage them to get in touch with me.

If their application is successful, not only will your friend get a great job with an industry leader, as with the Melbourne opportunity, we'll sling you $100 for helping us out.

I can be contacted on 9038 8616 or by email at dennis@healthypeople.com.au.

Tags : Membership Sales Melbourne Brisbane Kelvin Grove BTC

Fitstyler in Melbourne is looking for a qualified fitness professional to help them lead group exercise sessions (boot camp style) from 6:00am to 7:00am on Monday to Friday.

A great (and financially rewarding) way to start your day.

For more information, check out the original job ad.

Tags : Melbourne Boot camp Fitstyler