CIMSPA or REPS
A common question asked in the UK fitness industry is… Should I register with CIMSPA or REPS? It used to be quite a controversial one, however in the last few years its become a lot more straight forward. In the UK, the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) had been the go-to register for fitness professionals for many years. In 2020, the original REPs merged into CIMSPA, and CIMSPA became the main professional body for fitness professionals. Since then, REPs has relaunched under new ownership — so in 2026, the answer looks a little different again. In this blog post, we will explore what happened to REPS and how the transition to CIMSPA has impacted the fitness industry — plus where the relaunched REPs fits in today.
What happened to REPS?
The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) was established in 2002 and aimed to provide a system of regulation for exercise professionals in the UK. It aimed to ensure that fitness professionals met certain standards in their training and qualifications. In 2017, REPs was sold to UK Coaching, and in 2020 it merged into CIMSPA, with REPs members becoming CIMSPA members.
The REPs relaunch
In 2023, REPs was relaunched under new ownership by a team of industry operators, and in June 2026 launched a brand new platform for fitness professionals. The new REPs is a public register and directory where exercise professionals can verify their qualifications and insurance, build a client-facing profile, and take bookings and payments — plus tools for coaching, client management and growing their business. If you’re looking to build a public presence and attract clients, it’s well worth a look.
What is CIMSPA?
The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) was established in 2011 and is now the chartered professional body for fitness professionals in the UK. It is a professional development body for the sport and physical activity sector and provides a range of qualifications and training courses for those working in the industry. CIMSPA aims to improve the standards of the industry and promote professional development.
Why is CIMSPA important for fitness professionals?
Being registered with CIMSPA demonstrates that fitness professionals meet certain standards of education, training, and professional conduct. It provides a level of assurance to clients that the fitness professional they are working with is qualified and competent.
Additionally, being registered with CIMSPA can help fitness professionals to access employment opportunities, as many employers now require CIMSPA registration as a prerequisite for employment.
How to join CIMSPA
Joining CIMSPA is relatively straightforward. Fitness professionals can apply for membership online by providing evidence of their qualifications and completing a competency self-assessment. There are several levels of membership available, ranging from affiliate to chartered, depending on the individual’s qualifications and experience.
Maintaining CIMSPA registration through CPD
Once registered with CIMSPA, fitness professionals are required to maintain their registration through continuing professional development (CPD). Fitness Professionals are currently required to complete 10 hours worth of fitness CPD courses per year to maintain their registration. This ensures that fitness professionals are staying up-to-date with the latest industry developments and are maintaining their competence. Of the 10 hours required – 5 hours must be from CIMSPA endorsed CPD courses and 5 hours can be from either CIMSPA endorsed or non endorsed training providing it is specific to the fitness industry.
So in answer to the question – should I register with CIMSPA or REPS…
It’s no longer an either/or. CIMSPA is the professional body most UK employers require, so if you’re working (or want to work) in gyms and facilities, CIMSPA registration is the one to prioritise. The relaunched REPs offers something different — a public directory and business platform to help you attract clients and run your business. Many fitness professionals will get value from both.
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