Code of Ethics : Summary

We have outlined below what we expect from National Register of Personal Trainers (NRPT) members and what we believe you should expect when hiring the services of trainers associated to the NRPT.

This includes their qualifications and experience, their professionalism, their business approach and the way they deal with you their client. We also include an address to contact us on if you feel that you have not received a level of service that you feel is appropriate, or that is covered in the Code of Ethics.

All NRPT members are bound by the Code of Ethics by their joining the NRPT.We expect them to accept the responsibility and guidance of this document as it is intended to cover not only the individual trainer, but to represent the NRPT as a whole organisation. With this in mind, the NRPT has a professional duty to maintain it's integrity and support it's Code Of Ethics, therefore if a complaint is received about a trainer, the NRPT reserves the right to either terminate the trainers membership should the complaint be upheld or suspend membership until the dispute has been resolved to a mutually satisfactory conclusion between the parties involved.

If you feel that you have any reason to complain about or question any NRPT member, we request that you contact us at the following address in the first instance :

National Co-ordinator
The National Register of Personal Trainers
PO Box 870
Sywell
Northamptonshire

NN6 0ZB

t: 0844 8484 644

NRPT Code of Ethics

Behaviour and public conduct:


i. Personal

The NRPT expects members to consistently maintain the highest professional standards in their dealings with clients and potential clients.

Trainers should always be clean, presentable and prepared when training and meeting their personal training clients. Trainer's equipment should be well maintained and checked regularly. Consuming alcohol prior to a personal training session is not acceptable and invalidates a trainer's insurance.

ii. Personal Misconduct

The NRPT takes very seriously cases where personal misconduct can bring the NRPT into disrepute. This includes the following; falsifying information about your qualifications and experience; client confidentiality must be maintained; public criticising fellow NRPT members personally or their methods of working; breaching NRPT rules including those within the Code of Ethics and non-disclosure of information that may damage or harm the NRPT and it's members.

The NRPT also requires trainers to immediately inform the Board of all allegations, legal action and/or complaints.

iii. Criminal Convictions

Any trainer with a conviction from a court of law should bring this to the attention of the NRPT (parking and minor road offences aside). This will not necessarily affect your membership status, but where members are found to have conspired to conceal offences from the NRPT, their membership will be reviewed with a view to dismissal. The NRPT reserves the right to refuse membership to anyone with convictions where they are considered to be a potential risk or threat to clients.

iv. Complaints Procedure

Any individual or organisation that wants to complain about a member of the NRPT will in the first instance need to contact us at head office :

National Co-ordinator
National Register of Personal Trainers
PO Box 870
Sywell
Northamptonshire

NN6 0ZB

tel: 0844 8484 644

We will listen to the query and talk through the next stage for an official complaint.

Trainer-focused :


i. Conduct of Trainers

The NRPT does not approve of trainers unsolicited approaches to prospective clients. Members should also ensure that clients are aware of any conflicts of interest or scenarios that may cause the trainer to change schedules at short notice (e.g. fire brigade or lifeboat callouts).

Trainers are expected not to engage in any public denouncement of fellow NRPT members. If a complaint of this nature is substantiated by the NRPT board, this will result in the guilty party being struck off the NRPT.

ii. Trainers qualifications

NRPT members must only practice in those fields where they have appropriate training and/or qualifications as detailed within their application to become a member of the NRPT. Trainers must recognise their limitations and where appropriate refer clients on to relevantly qualified professionals or other trainers.

iii. Personal development

With the fitness industry under continual change, members are expected to increase their professional qualifications and experience by attending courses, seminars and conferences from reputable industry specialists.

iv. Confidentiality

In meeting and discussing training schedules, a good deal of personal information is taken and recorded. NRPT members must ensure this information is kept private and confidential and, if requested, returned to the client on completion of the training schedule. Trainers will not abuse personal information under any circumstances.

v. Communication With Allied Professionals

Ensuring the highest standard of service, trainers are encouraged to consult and recommend suitable professionals where your skills and qualifications are not suitable for your clients needs.

vi. Advertising & Marketing

In the instance where members take out advertising, all information must be accurate including qualifications, experience and services that are offered to any prospective clients. No misleading offers or affiliations with any products that are clearly not approved by the NRPT should be quoted.


Client-focused :


All trainers must discuss and agree with clients achievable goals and realistic timescales prior to any training taking place. It is also advised that this information is written down for the client and the trainer for future reference.

ii. Business terms

Trainer will ensure that their business terms and conditions (including times and dates of training, fees, cancellation procedure and method of payment) are set out and agreed in writing with the client (they should sign the agreement) in advance of any training taking place. This ensures a professional start to a working relationship and prevents any awkward situations on either side.

Equal Opportunities :

Trainers should treat all clients with equal respect regardless of their age, colour, disability, sexuality, medical condition, ethnicity, religion or weight.

Personal Relationships :

We expect all NRPT members to act in a professional manner with clients with particular reference to relationships between trainer and client. The trainer should ensure boundaries are set with the client to ensure a professional working relationship and friendship with their client.

Personal Safety :

All trainers are advised to ensure the maximum level of safety when training with clients either in their own home or in your personal gymnasium. All individual trainers are responsible for ensuring their own safety, whilst those employed by a company will have alternative guidelines.

The NRPT does not accept responsibility for individual trainers in this case.

Working with Vulnerabale Adults & Children
Trainers will ensure that they comply with the Governments guidelines when working with vulnerable adults and children. Client safety :

Clients must be shown how to undertake their exercise programme safely including the safe use of equipment and machines. NRPT members have an obligation to ensure a clients' heath and wellbeing at all times. This includes not recommending drugs or banned substances under any circumstances, or being under the influence of alcohol prior to training sessions.

The client's wellbeing is also important with regards to the way they are trained and guided in the use of weights and/or cv machines, freeweights etc.

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