Efforts to professionalise the physical activity sector workforce have suffered a setback, after new statistics suggest that nearly 11 per cent of personal trainers have been intimate with their clients.

The survey of 1,000 regular gym users – carried out, bizarrely, by training provider Be a Better You – found that one in three find their personal trainer attractive. Of these, a quarter confessed to having shared a kiss with their PT and seven per cent said they had slept with them.

The findings were criticised by ukactive executive director Steven Ward, who said the survey showed a ‘lack of respect’ for the job roles in the sector at a time when serious initiatives are
being implemented by the likes of CIMSPA to professionalise the workforce. However, Ward added that the sector’s frontline staff need an ‘image change’ to alter public perceptions if they are to be considered ‘part of a trusted group’ of expert professionals in society.

“The physical activity sector will grow its reputation and bottom line by becoming a respected part of the delivery of health and wellbeing and an expert resource for healthy living,” Ward told Health Club Management.

“The vast majority of trainers in our sector have the highest professional standards and we see this day in day out across the country, but there is still work to be done to change our wider social image and the premise of this survey proves that point.

“Doctors, nurses and lawyers would be struck off for having an affair with a client, so we can’t shrug this data as just a bit of a laugh.”

Ward added that growing the capability of frontline staff for modern operating needs was one of the highest priorities for ukactive, which has consulted with a number of operators on its new strategy.

He said the forthcoming ukactive business plan will include several new projects and developments aimed at raising the profile and reach of the industry.