LEISURE Industry Academy (LIA) Qatar, a state-of-the-art institute that specialises in courses for gym instructor, fitness instructor and personal training qualifications, will be opened in Doha in September. The institute will be the first of its kind in the Middle East. The institute, with its headquarters in the UK, offers formal fitness education and certification to health and fitness professionals. It will offer world class health and fitness services aimed at boosting the health sector in the country. The first batch of courses is scheduled to open in Doha from next month. The course will include Personal Training Diploma and Group Fitt Diploma which would cover a range of courses titled ‘Exercise to Music’, ‘Revolution’ (Indoor Studio Cycling) and ‘Step Up’. The Advanced Personal Training Diploma includes Postural Correction, Kettlebells Instructor Course and Suspension Training and National Academy of Sports Medicine Course. Talking to Qatar Tribune on Sunday, LIA Qatar Managing Director Khalid Unjum said, “The country’s sport facilities are second to none in the region. Its commitment to developing sports is impressive and we believe we are bringing our programme to the right place in this region. While Qatar is doing a great job in raising health awareness among the residents, we want to emphasise more on the importance of good education, especially among fitness instructors and trainers.” The LIA Qatar Certification offers will not only enhance the skills, knowledge and expertise of fitness instructors and personal trainers, but will also make its students more desirable for employment in any high-end gym across the globe. “The concept of fitness education does not exist in the Middle East. The gym trainers don’t even have certifications and such practice is putting clients at risk. The certification we are issuing is state-of-theart and unique. It is recognised in gyms and health institutions across the world, especially in more fitness driven countries like the UK, Australia, Canada and South Africa. We will also be customising our instruction materials according to Qatar’s needs. Taking care of obese and diabetic patients will be among the focus of our trainings. Besides English, we plan to have materials in Arabic and will have Arabic speakers as well,” Unjum said. LIA Qatar also intends to work alongside key institutions in the country, including Aspire, and collaborate with private health clubs such as Fitness First. “We want to take the programme to other parts of the region like in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Egypt,” Unjum added. http://www.qatar-tribune.com/data/20110822/content.asp?section=exclusive1_1

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