Quality over quantity. It’s a compelling philosophy, indeed, and one on which I am well and truly sold.

Regular readers might recall some of my prior anecdotes singing the praises of quality over quantity when it comes to individual exercise sessions as well as short- to long-term programmes.

Better two sessions a week of high-quality and well-planned training than a daily regimen of random and perhaps dangerous combinations of movements constituting excessive and unnecessary strain on the system. Lack of quality can cause wasted efforts, overtraining or, worse, injury.

High quality, however, doesn’t just work in fitness training. It works in fitness, full stop. Several months ago, I had a rant. Yes, I hate to admit it, but I mounted somewhat of a stinging critique of the local fitness industry.

Compared to other nations with far less to worry about than us in terms of obesity and inactivity statistics, we have a surprisingly disorganised and unregulated system, the word ‘system’ applicable only in its loosest possible sense.

It is unfair that high-quality professionals and establishments are losing out to low-quality alternatives. There exists a situation locally where any cowboy can decide to set up shop as a fitness provider and begin training individuals and groups with minimal knowledge, skill and competence to do so, and face no consequences whatsoever, even when inflicting real injury or harm on unsuspecting victims.

Proper professionals with the best of intentions are forced to cut costs and standards to keep up, until they are washed up, burnt out and driven out of business.

Rewarding low quality with our custom means we are essentially shooting ourselves in the foot over the long term and effectively killing off our best people.

If we are happy with less, we will continue to get less. The consequences of less when it comes to exercise include not achieving our fitness goals, wasting our time and efforts and, even worse, picking up injuries or conditions as a result of poor practice or irresponsible advice or guidance.

I appealed, like many other professionals in fitness, for increased quality in the local scene. That article generated a healthy dose of feedback. My inbox was very lively for a good couple of weeks after publication, and several very interesting and fruitful meetings resulted as industry players stepped forward keen on generating further discussion. If it’s quality we want, we must support the local establishments and organisations who believe in and promote such quality.

Some of the fundamental pillars for a productive and progressive industry are, among others, quality in service, facilities, education and regulation.

Proper professionals with the best of intentions are forced to cut costs and standards to keep up, until they are washed up, burnt out and driven out of business

I was thrilled to hear from one of Malta’s biggest and longest established fitness centres located in the St Julian’s area, informing me of some of the progress made lately in terms of management for enhanced quality.

In the absence of any external regulation, the establishment in question has taken it upon itself to develop a system of self-regulation. They have phased out personnel without the necessary background or qualifications, imposed recruitment and training standards and re-organised their workforce to deliver only high-quality instruction and personal training, ensuring clients are in safe hands and, ultimately, more likely to achieve their goals.

The way top clubs are managed is instrumental to the progress of our industry, as they set the standards everyone else must strive for to compete. Quality, in terms of environment, has also been expressed in our local scene, with the opening of a brand new fitness centre in the south of the island, showcasing top-notch facilities that wouldn’t look at all out of place in London or New York’s fashionably affluent boroughs. The envelop is being pushed and if investors are willing to splash out on offering us the best and not sell us short with second-grade products, let’s support and affirm these efforts, ensuring that others will have an incentive to do the same.

Education of fitness professionals is on the way up too. Locals wishing to become fitness professionals have enjoyed an increasing range of options in recent years to get qualified.

A brand new local initiative in fitness industry education, however, has now resulted in a new set-up at Malta’s national college, the largest vocational education and training provider in the country.

They are now offering specialised courses that are internationally recognised and adhere to European educational standards in terms of content, assessment, as well as necessary contact hours for effective learning to take place. We are finally steering away from fast-track, minimal-contact courses based on quick certification and instead heading towards quality education.

And finally, there are some interesting movements taking place behind the scenes. We are about to witness a credible initiative from a local NGO set up some years ago with the goal of promoting health and fitness on a national level that is now ready to take a stand.

In the absence of any other body stepping forward, this organisation is currently re-organising, rolling up its sleeves and planning initiatives with the goal of regulating quality in our industry.

Whether looking to get fit as participants or enter the industry as professionals, we must support the movement for better quality by making the right choices.

Go for quality wherever you feel it counts, and truly enjoy the fruits of your labours.

matthew.muscat.inglott@mcast.edu.mt

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