Active IQ is proud to be sponsoring the AOC Sport’s Fitness Trainer Competition for the sixth year in a row. The competition, which usually takes place at the World Skills Show, has a slightly different format this year, taking place virtually due to the Coronavirus disallowing face-to-face contact. The virtual competition will run from 17th– 23rd October.
Now in its ninth year, the competition aims to showcase and test the skills, knowledge and ability of personal trainers to deliver excellent fitness instruction to clients. It’s open to anyone studying a PT qualification and competitors can enter from colleges, training providers and employers as an apprentice.
The finalists will take part via zoom either from home or in a gym environment. They will be tested across a range of tasks with a huge focus of course on at home and online workouts, reflecting the demands on PTs at this current time including:
- Core fitness skills
- Instructing skills
- Online marketing skills (this will include a video showcase in which finalists will need to market themselves and will be judged by a panel including Active IQ’s Head of Marketing, Kerry Fearnley)
- Written skills (finalists will need to write a workout plan which they could then sell as a product in the future)
- A virtual job interview
- A home equipment challenge where they must select objects from around the house that could be used as part of a workout.
“I am proud to say that Active IQ has been supporting this important competition for six years now,” says Jenny Patrickson, Managing Director for Active IQ. “I say important because it gives nearly and newly qualified PTs the chance to learn and develop whilst also showcasing their skills. Entrants learn a lot from the process and gain valuable feedback and insight from the judges. Not to mention the fact it brings a fantastic opportunity to really spring board their career.”
This year’s finalists, in no particular order are:
- Anne Chinoy- Trafford College
- James Allen- Coleg Gwent
- Libby Ward- Burnley College
- Freya Bourne- Burnley College
- Hazel Madoc Sutton- Trafford College
- Ruth Gordon- City of Glasgow College
- Claire Gibbs-Coleg Gwent
- Catherine Spencer- Coleg Gwent
- Craig Ward – Trafford College
- Robin Hammett- Coleg Gwent
- Alfie Smith- Havant and Southdowns College
- Martin Sweeney- City of Glasgow College
“We are very grateful for Active IQs continued support of our Fitness Trainer Competition. Year after the year we have seen how the competition provides a superb opportunity for aspiring fitness professionals to showcase their skills and in these most challenging of circumstances it is great that we are still able to offer this opportunity in partnership with Active IQ.
Indeed, the current public health crisis has allowed participants to further demonstrate their wider skillset, with online delivery testing them in new and different ways.
We’re sure that all of the contenders will enjoy and learn from this process and wish them all every success in the competition and their future careers,” says Dean Hardman, Director of Sport and Student Experience for AoC.
Patrickson added:
“This year of course has been particularly challenging for everyone, so it’s fantastic to see the determination of every competitor. I’m delighted that the competition is still able to go ahead albeit virtually and I’d like to wish each finalist the very best of luck.
It’s vital that we support those young people coming into our industry: encouraging them and recognising their skills. Competitions like this aren’t just about celebrating excellence, they are equally important to raise and retain industry standards.”