Active IQ partnered with Study Active and fibodo to create free online fitness sessions for NHS staff
Once the extensive activity that was required to respond to lockdown subsided, the opportunity to use the time to take stock, update, improve and future-proof services became apparent. As did the true value of collaborating with like-minded, open-minded organisations and individuals.
Active IQ pivoted quickly to meet the new demands, working closely with other awarding organisations, the Federation of Awarding Bodies, CIMSPA, Ofqual and the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education, in the best interest of its many training partners, learners and leisure employers.
Far from creating policies to ‘just get through’ lockdown, some of the adaptations and ideas brought improvements that are here to stay.
Versatility of virtual The irony – and opportunity – that many students had more time to study and prepare while working from home or on furlough, was not lost on Active IQ.
The team moved quickly to introduce assessment adaptations for its Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Trainer core qualifications to keep learners on track. Online theory assessment, outdoor or home-filmed practical assessments and professional competency assessor interviews enabled learners to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and competence.
“The COVID-19 lockdown proved that digital learning and assessment can be highly effective,” says Jenny Patrickson, MD of Active IQ. “Remote and adapted assessment models for our centres, learners and apprentices worked well. We were also pleasantly surprised to find the format of our virtual meetings with training providers yielded great new business opportunities, as everyone was thinking more quickly, clearly and innovatively than before.
“Taking everything online enabled us to recruit learners from across the UK,” says Ben Tomlin at UK Sports Training. “We recruited people who couldn’t previously commit to fully face-to-face delivery, as they could fit the virtual sessions around their needs. We were bold in our decision making and backed by Active IQ whose confidence allowed us to be flexible in our delivery.”
Digital delivery Most training providers and students were already using a degree of digital delivery and learning, but with lockdown came full reliance on e-learning, e-manuals, proctored exams, online assessments and digital certificates.
“Digital learning allows for individual pacing, enabling people to take longer over more tricky aspects and make swift progress in areas that come more easily,” says Patrickson. “This can be better than classroom learning, where the pre-ordained pace and simultaneous targets can see some people pushed on too fast, while others are held back.”
Trying new tactics Early in lockdown Active IQ offered its online Skills Hub CPD and Chief Medical Advisor training resources free to all fitness professionals, enabling them to maximise their enforced break. Sign-ups rose by 103 per cent as fitpros took the opportunity to learn new skills and broaden their knowledge, ready to return in a stronger position.
Another first for Active IQ was launching its Level 3 Diploma in Working with Clients with Long-Term Conditions, online as well as in-person.
Personal trainers were looking to upskill ahead of clients returning to the gym post-COVID, while fresh impetus from the Government’s obesity strategy, combined with people struggling with health conditions that went unaddressed during lockdown, made this launch well-timed.
“Knowing people had more time for online learning, we tried a five-week ‘fast track’ timetable,” says Luke Johnson, CEO at the Personal Trainer Collective. “Setting times for live group tutoring on Zoom, with units/videos to watch, Active IQ manual sections and worksheets to complete and regular theory exams focused everybody. This supportive/intensive learning model boosted business and is now here to stay.”
Being agile, alert and open to new ideas and possibilities has seen Active IQ and many of its partners learn valuable lessons in lockdown. Some concepts will naturally end when the pandemic ends: but others will remain, making business practice all the better.
"The COVID-19 lockdown proved that digital learning and assessment can be highly effective"
– Jenny Patrickson
#DoingOurBit
As the nation stepped up to support the NHS, Active IQ was approached by key worker and amateur powerlifter, Julie Davis, whose #DoingOurBit idea to offer free workouts to her local NHS colleagues was snapped up by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust for its 10,000 staff. Active IQ joined forces with Study Active and fibodo to create a platform of over 40 free, bespoke online fitness sessions for NHS staff, donated by 28 PTs. Every minute of every workout was verified to ensure quality, safety and integrity.
So far, over 60 NHS trusts have signed up, giving more than 450,000 NHS staff access to the sessions, and it’s still growing. #DoingOurBit has just been officially endorsed by the ‘United by Birmingham 2022’ programme which recognises grassroots projects having a positive impact on the community.
Some of the innovations created in response to the pandemic are here to stay
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
Active IQ partnered with Study Active and fibodo to create free online fitness sessions for NHS staff
Once the extensive activity that was required to respond to lockdown subsided, the opportunity to use the time to take stock, update, improve and future-proof services became apparent. As did the true value of collaborating with like-minded, open-minded organisations and individuals.
Active IQ pivoted quickly to meet the new demands, working closely with other awarding organisations, the Federation of Awarding Bodies, CIMSPA, Ofqual and the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education, in the best interest of its many training partners, learners and leisure employers.
Far from creating policies to ‘just get through’ lockdown, some of the adaptations and ideas brought improvements that are here to stay.
Versatility of virtual The irony – and opportunity – that many students had more time to study and prepare while working from home or on furlough, was not lost on Active IQ.
The team moved quickly to introduce assessment adaptations for its Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Trainer core qualifications to keep learners on track. Online theory assessment, outdoor or home-filmed practical assessments and professional competency assessor interviews enabled learners to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and competence.
“The COVID-19 lockdown proved that digital learning and assessment can be highly effective,” says Jenny Patrickson, MD of Active IQ. “Remote and adapted assessment models for our centres, learners and apprentices worked well. We were also pleasantly surprised to find the format of our virtual meetings with training providers yielded great new business opportunities, as everyone was thinking more quickly, clearly and innovatively than before.
“Taking everything online enabled us to recruit learners from across the UK,” says Ben Tomlin at UK Sports Training. “We recruited people who couldn’t previously commit to fully face-to-face delivery, as they could fit the virtual sessions around their needs. We were bold in our decision making and backed by Active IQ whose confidence allowed us to be flexible in our delivery.”
Digital delivery Most training providers and students were already using a degree of digital delivery and learning, but with lockdown came full reliance on e-learning, e-manuals, proctored exams, online assessments and digital certificates.
“Digital learning allows for individual pacing, enabling people to take longer over more tricky aspects and make swift progress in areas that come more easily,” says Patrickson. “This can be better than classroom learning, where the pre-ordained pace and simultaneous targets can see some people pushed on too fast, while others are held back.”
Trying new tactics Early in lockdown Active IQ offered its online Skills Hub CPD and Chief Medical Advisor training resources free to all fitness professionals, enabling them to maximise their enforced break. Sign-ups rose by 103 per cent as fitpros took the opportunity to learn new skills and broaden their knowledge, ready to return in a stronger position.
Another first for Active IQ was launching its Level 3 Diploma in Working with Clients with Long-Term Conditions, online as well as in-person.
Personal trainers were looking to upskill ahead of clients returning to the gym post-COVID, while fresh impetus from the Government’s obesity strategy, combined with people struggling with health conditions that went unaddressed during lockdown, made this launch well-timed.
“Knowing people had more time for online learning, we tried a five-week ‘fast track’ timetable,” says Luke Johnson, CEO at the Personal Trainer Collective. “Setting times for live group tutoring on Zoom, with units/videos to watch, Active IQ manual sections and worksheets to complete and regular theory exams focused everybody. This supportive/intensive learning model boosted business and is now here to stay.”
Being agile, alert and open to new ideas and possibilities has seen Active IQ and many of its partners learn valuable lessons in lockdown. Some concepts will naturally end when the pandemic ends: but others will remain, making business practice all the better.
"The COVID-19 lockdown proved that digital learning and assessment can be highly effective"
– Jenny Patrickson
#DoingOurBit
As the nation stepped up to support the NHS, Active IQ was approached by key worker and amateur powerlifter, Julie Davis, whose #DoingOurBit idea to offer free workouts to her local NHS colleagues was snapped up by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust for its 10,000 staff. Active IQ joined forces with Study Active and fibodo to create a platform of over 40 free, bespoke online fitness sessions for NHS staff, donated by 28 PTs. Every minute of every workout was verified to ensure quality, safety and integrity.
So far, over 60 NHS trusts have signed up, giving more than 450,000 NHS staff access to the sessions, and it’s still growing. #DoingOurBit has just been officially endorsed by the ‘United by Birmingham 2022’ programme which recognises grassroots projects having a positive impact on the community.
Some of the innovations created in response to the pandemic are here to stay
It’s been five years since the fitness industry reopened after the last lockdown – long enough
to look back on the impact the pandemic had on the sector and what might come next.
Wattbike has announced a new integration with EGYM, which enables the bikes to contribute to
the Cardio BioAge score of individuals via a VO2 max result.
Les Mills has launched a reformer Pilates workout. The 45-minute workout blends traditional
reformer movements and more contemporary exercises, choreographed to music.
According to research which tracked more than 147,000 people for 30 years, 90-120 minutes
of strength training a week may deliver some of the biggest long-term health rewards.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Places Leisure has exchanged contracts to build and operate a flagship £60m water and leisure
destination on behalf of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
The Republic of Ireland will become the latest market in PureGym’s expanding international
portfolio, with the first launch planned for Dublin in 2027.
Anytime Fitness opened more than one club a day in 2025 and is on track to maintain this rate
of growth this year, as parent company Purpose Brands targets further international expansion.
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
