Menu Close

Code of Ethical Conduct

Those registered with REPSSA are expected to adhere to the Code of Ethical Conduct

Physical activity and exercise can contribute positively to the development of individuals. It is a vehicle for physical, mental, personal, social and emotional development. Such development is enhanced if the individual is guided by an informed, thinking, aspiring and enlightened exercise professional operating within an accepted ethical framework as a professional

    1. The role of an exercise professional is to:
      • identify and meet the needs of individuals
      • improve performance or fitness through programmes of safe, effective and enjoyable exercise
      • create an environment in which individuals are motivated to maintain participation and improve performance or fitness
      • conform to a Code of Ethical Conduct in several areas – rights, relationships, personal responsibilities, professional standards, safe working practise.
    2. This Code of Ethical Conduct (the Code) defines good practice for professionals in the fitness industry by reflecting on the core values of rights, relationships, responsibilities, standards and safety. The term ‘professional’ is used in a qualitative context in this Code and does not necessarily imply a paid position or person. The Code applies to both employed and self-employed professionals but where professionals are employed the Register accepts that employed exercise professionals will be subject to the codes of practice and employment rules of their employers and will, in determining compliance with this Code of Ethical Conduct, have careful regard to any such employment rules and in particular whether or not, in the case of any complaint being made the professional concerned has or will be subject to any internal investigation by his or her employers.
    3. Exercise professionals on REPSSA accept their responsibility to people who participate in exercise; to other exercise professionals and colleagues; to their respective fitness associations, professional bodies and institutes; to their employer; and to society. When practising, registrants must also hold adequate liability insurance.

The Five Principals: REPSSA Code of Ethical Conduct

Principle 1: Rights

  • Exercise professionals should deal openly and in a transparent manner with their clients. They should at all times adopt the highest degree of professionalism in dealing with their clients’ needs

Principle 2: Relationships

  • Exercise professionals will seek to nurture healthy relationships with their customers and other health professionals
  • Compliance with this principle requires exercise professionals to develop and maintain a relationship with customers based on openness, honesty, mutual trust and respect and to responsibly demonstrate:
  • Awareness of the requirement to place the customer’s needs as a priority and promote their welfare and best interests first when planning an appropriate training programme
  • Clarity in all forms of communication with customers, professional colleagues and medical practitioners, ensuring honesty, accuracy and cooperation when seeking agreements and avoiding misrepresentation or any conflict of interest arising between customers’ and own professional obligations
  • Integrity as an exercise professional and recognition of the position of trust dictated by that role, ensuring avoidance of inappropriate behaviour in customer relationships. Any consensual relationship between persons of full age would not, however, be considered inappropriate

Principle 3: Personal Responsibilities

  • Exercise professionals will demonstrate and promote a responsible lifestyle and conduct’
  • Compliance with this principle requires exercise professionals to conduct proper personal behaviour at all times and to responsibly demonstrate:
  • The high standards of professional conduct appropriate to their dealings with all their client groups and which reflect the particular image and expectations relevant to the role of the exercise professional working in the fitness industry
  • An understanding of their legal responsibilities and accountability when dealing with the public and awareness of the need for honesty and accuracy in substantiating their claims of authenticity when promoting their services in the public domain
  • An absolute duty of care to be aware of their working environment and to be able to deal with all reasonably foreseeable accidents and emergencies – and to protect themselves, their colleagues and clients

Principle 4: Professional Standards

  • Exercise professionals will seek to adopt the highest level of professional standards in their work and the development of their career’
  • Compliance with this principle requires exercise professionals to commit to the attainment of appropriate qualifications and ongoing training to responsibly demonstrate:
  • Engagement in actively seeking to update knowledge and improve their professional skills in order to maintain a quality standard of service, reflecting on their own practice, identifying development needs and undertaking relevant development activities
  • Willingness to accept responsibility and be accountable for professional decisions or actions, welcome evaluation of their work and recognise the need when appropriate to refer to another professional specialist
  • A personal responsibility to maintain their own effectiveness and confine themselves to practice those activities for which their training and competence is recognised by the Register

Principle 5: Safe Working Practise

  • Exercise professionals will systematically prepare for all activities ensuring the safety of their clients is of paramount consideration’
  • Compliance with this principle requires exercise professionals to maintain a safe exercise environment for all clients and at all times and to responsibly demonstrate:
  • A responsible attitude to the care and safety of client participants within the training environment and in planned activities ensuring that both are appropriate to the needs of the clients
  • An appropriate ratio of instructors to clients within any group sessions to ensure that at all times the safety of all clients is paramount
  • All clients have been systematically prepared for the activity in terms of safety including the safe use of equipment

Disciplinary Measure

    • In the event that the Board shall find that a person registered shall be guilty of a breach of The Code, The Board of REPSSASA may take Disciplinary action
    • Any alleged professional mis-conduct or avoidance of compliance with the terms of membership of the Register will be referred to the Board which will consider any need for sanctions against an individual instructor, coach, trainer or teacher. The appropriate authority(ies) will deal with any criminal allegations
    • In terms of any disciplinary action taken REPSSA may after due inquiry:
      • Suspend or terminate the membership of any member
      • Reprimand or issue a formal warning; or
      • Take such other action as REPSSA consider an appropriate and proportionate to the issues raised
    • In the event that any party to an alleged mis-conduct is dissatisfied with a decision of the Board he or she may lodge an appeal in writing against this decision to the Chairman of REPSSASA (see the appeals process)