As the physical activity sector continues to refine its offering and extend services beyond the four-walls of the gym, Active IQ has announced the creation of a new outdoor fitness qualification.

Responding to emerging industry trends, the awarding organisation has introduced three new Level 3 Awards: Instructing Outdoor Fitness; Nutrition for Sports & Exercise Performance; and Conditioning for Exercise & Sports.

The Level 3 Award in Instructing Outdoor Fitness is designed to help sector professionals move outdoors, open up their services to a larger audience and learn how to plan and lead sessions suitable for open spaces.

“The phenomenal growth of parkrun and outdoor fitness classes led by organisations such as British Military Fitness and Our Parks have shown how rapidly the sector needs to adapt to consumer fitness trends,” said Active IQ’s head of business development, Laura Sheasby.

“As an awarding organisation at the forefront of qualification development, Active IQ works closely with approved centres to address emerging skills gaps. The three new qualifications provide engaging and informative courses for fitness instructors or personal trainers who want to expand their skills base and increase their competitive edge.”

The new Level 3 Award in Nutrition for Sports & Exercise Performance will cover how a healthy balanced diet impacts performance and highlights the benefits and risks of specific nutritional protocols that may be used to prepare for sports or fitness events.

Meanwhile, Active IQ’s Level 3 Award in Conditioning for Exercise & Sports will help learners plan and deliver appropriate conditioning programmes to improve their client’s overall performance.