The EuropeActive FITcert® & EREPS Symposium took place in Cologne on 9th April, immediately following the European Health and Fitness Forum (EHFF). The event brought together over 40 participants from across the fitness and physical activity sector to raise awareness of the role of standards and certification for both fitness clubs and professionals. The symposium focused on showcasing how FITcert® and EREPS are shaping the future of the sector through quality assurance and professional recognition.
Introducing the event, Kai Troll, CEO of EuropeActive, emphasised that “good, transparent standards are vital for progress in the fitness sector’s growth.”
Grounded in the European Standard for fitness club operations (EN 17229), the FITcert® Scheme employs independent inspection bodies to assess a club’s compliance with rigorous operational requirements. This European Standard applies to the vast majority of fitness clubs and is increasingly being adopted within national frameworks – and even referenced in legal proceedings. Cliff Collins, convenor of the symposium and leader of the FITcert® initiative, explained that standards primarily aim to reduce risk – for operators, members, and staff alike. Both EN 17229 and the FITcert® Scheme were developed by seasoned fitness professionals.
“There are no hidden surprises or traps for operators,” Collins noted. “Everything is based on recognised good practice, and every club must now treat this with the utmost seriousness. This is why FITcert® is a game-changer – it transforms the European Standard into a practical tool for clubs to demonstrate their compliance. Certification reassures club members that they can place their trust in the facility, while simultaneously reducing the operator’s liability should anything go wrong.”
Leading fitness chains such as Basic-Fit, The Gym Group, David Lloyd Leisure, and SportCity have already achieved the highest level of certification. During the symposium, Stan de Lange from SportCity and Kent Orrgren from World Class Clubs shared how the FITcert® Scheme had positively impacted their operations, aligning them with best practices in the industry.
FITcert® is quality-managed by the Royal Netherlands National Standards Body, which ensures that the independent inspection bodies (KIWA Sport, IFCI Register, and TÜV Nord) adhere to ISO 17020 requirements – making FITcert® the only certification scheme of its kind in the world.
Uniquely, the European Standard EN 17229 incorporates EuropeActive’s standards for fitness trainer qualifications. This highlights the importance of quality-controlled education and the formal recognition of professionals through the European Register of Exercise Professionals (EREPS). It further strengthens EuropeActive’s commitment to promoting high standards for both clubs and fitness professionals.
EuropeActive also oversees the initial application stage for clubs entering the Scheme and, in collaboration with its National Association partners, has negotiated discounted certification rates. With more than 2,000 clubs already certified, the EHFF and symposium reflected a strong surge of interest from other operators eager to demonstrate compliance with the European Standard.
Further information, including explanatory videos, can be found at www.fitcert.eu.
