Breaking Barriers Through Movement: Creating New Routes into Group Exercise.

Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not.

Across many communities, there are women with the energy, local knowledge and lived experience to help others become more active. Persistent barriers, financial constraints and a lack of relatable role models prevent the development of these women becoming part of a community- focused instructor workforce, subsequently restricting participation and representation from diverse communities. A new Greater Manchester pilot aims to change that.

EMD UK, the national governing body for group exercise, has partnered with the Health Fitness Academy to launch Breaking Barriers Through Movement—a programme supporting 20 women from underrepresented communities to become qualified group exercise instructors.

Successful applicants will complete the nationally recognised Focus Awards Level 2 Group Exercise (Exercise to Music) qualification through a 12-week programme delivered ‘by women for women.’

The training would ordinarily cost £1,000. Through 90% funding from EMD UK, participants will pay just £100. Each successful applicant will also receive a free year of EMD UK Student Membership, providing cover to practise teaching while completing the qualification.

Find out more and register an interest through EMD UK. https://emduk.org/breaking-barriers-through-movement/

Investing in people who understand their communities.

The people most capable of engaging a community are often those who already understand it: its culture, pressures, barriers and motivations. They know why people may not feel comfortable entering a traditional fitness environment and what might encourage them to take that first step.

By investing in women from communities currently underrepresented within the group exercise workforce, the programme can create a much wider ripple effect.

It can provide participants with recognised skills, greater confidence and a potential route into employment or self-employment. At the same time, it can help communities access instructors they know, trust and identify with.

That combination matters. Increasing participation is not only about creating more sessions. It is about developing the right workforce to make those opportunities relevant, welcoming and sustainable.

The price of professional training can prevent talented people from entering the physical activity workforce—particularly those from lower-income backgrounds or without the support of an existing employer.

Reducing a £1,000 qualification to £100 makes this opportunity considerably more accessible. Crucially, it does so without reducing the quality or professional recognition of the training participants receive.

Breaking Barriers Through Movement demonstrates what targeted workforce investment can achieve: removing a practical barrier for an individual while developing skills and capacity that can benefit an entire community.

Who should take notice?

EMD UK and the Health Fitness Academy are seeking women from underrepresented communities across Greater Manchester who want to develop the skills needed to support others through group exercise.

Why Sports is also encouraging organisations across the area to share the opportunity through their networks. This includes:

• Community groups and charities

• Housing associations

• Local authorities and leisure providers

• Active Partnerships

• Health and wellbeing organisations

• Women’s networks

• Employability and skills programmes

• Organisations supporting ethnically diverse, disabled, LGBTQ+ or lower-income communities

You may not be the person who needs this opportunity—but you may know someone who does.

Please share the programme with individuals, groups and community organisations across Greater Manchester that could help it reach the women it was created to support.

Find out more and register an interest through EMD UK. https://emduk.org/breaking-barriers-through-movement/