Until now, Personal Trainers undertaking their Accreditation Certificate have received limited education about training people with a chronic illness, such as diabetes.

Diabetes Australia-NSW developed a new program called ‘Beat It’ because some exercises and resistance training for people with and at risk of diabetes complications like cardiovascular disease and nerve damage can harm themselves without proper training.

Bronwyn Penny, Exercise Physiologist with Diabetes NSW said, “The Beat It program uses Exercise Physiologists qualified in exercise, sports science and rehabilitation, a dietitian and a diabetes educator show the trainers the guidelines and recommendations for developing exercise resistance and cardiovascular training for people with or at risk of type 2 diabetes.”

“Trainers are also taught programs for managing diabetes complications,” Bronwyn added.The instructors will also learn the legal and ethical responsibilities of training a person with a chronic illness, how to motivate a person with diabetes to keep active outside of training and when to refer people to their doctor and suggested graded exercise and weight programs.

A phone call two years ago by Carol Cropper, the Gym’s owner, to Diabetes Australia-NSW asking what specialised training people with diabetes need, was the catalyst for the program. The reason she phoned was because her father had developed type 2 diabetes and she wanted to know more about safe ways for him to train.

She says that after finding out there was no exercise program for people with diabetes, she then talked to Diabetes Australia-NSW about designing an exercise program catering for people with type 2 diabetes, and both groups agreed it was a great idea.

“It is great that there is now a program being offered by Diabetes Australia-NSW that is providing the knowledge to trainers like ours so that they can offer exercise programs that are safe and support the needs of those with type 2 diabetes,” said Carol.

“Not only does the program provide training, but our trainers always know that if they have a question about anything to do with diabetes, they can call Diabetes Australia-NSW for further advice, which offers peace of mind to everyone.”

ronulla Fitness holds the title of NSW Small Fitness Business of the Year, awarded by peak group Fitness Australia. The facility has been at its current address for 15 years, and holds it’s milestone birthday this November.

For further information contact:

Carol Cropper, Cronulla Fitness, Ph: 0422 952544