With four successive spells of dry, hot weather since late spring, and sunshine set to return in a similar fashion for foreseeable summers, it’s time to get outside!
Exercising outdoors is a great way to make workouts more enjoyable, whilst boosting vitamin D intake and improving mental health and wellbeing. The natural daylight also helps to set your internal clock, regulating sleep patterns and supporting you to rest better.
Other reasons to encourage the use of outdoor spaces to get active is that it is free – parks, local trails and streets don’t cost anything to use and therefore accessibility and certain barriers to exercise can be easily addressed.
That is why we’ve featured five courses to support your clients to safely take part in sport and physical activity outside. These courses form part of your continued professional development and comprise of in-person and online learning to help keep your options flexible. Plus, we’ve signposted further relevant resources to allow you to develop and apply your knowledge.
CPD
1. TMW Nature-Based Training – Leadership Course
Provided by BBS Training Academy
10 CIMSPA CPD points
Using a recreational approach to fitness immersed in nature, leaders will learn to integrate outdoor activities to harness the benefits of nature-based training. You will learn how the human body is intrinsically connected to the environment in the way that it learns, develops, and adapts to new challenges. Build your knowledge of nature-based training activities and how they benefit health, wellbeing, and performance.
The course syllabus is based on the latest advancements in sports and exercise science, and green exercise research. It follows guidance outlined by CPD education for environmental engagement, physical activity, and health promotion.
You’ll learn how to:
- Get more people active through nature-based & sustainable activities
- Bring people together through outdoor sports and leisure, discovering new activities
- Improve your connection to nature, your local culture and your natural environment
2. Bootcamp Instructor Training
Provided by T2 Fitness Training and Education Limited
6 CIMSPA CPD points
On this course, you’ll learn advanced bootcamp workouts that combine equipment and bodyweight training for a genuine total-body session, along with the coaching techniques that keep a group cohesive and motivated rather than working as twelve individuals.
You’ll also learn how to structure your bootcamp offering as an actual product within your PT business, not just an occasional extra you run when you’ve got a spare hour.
What you’ll learn:
- How to plan an array of exercises to deliver a genuinely effective class
- How to structure your classes to vary delivery and keep clients progressing session to session
- How to add challenge and variety, from resistance training to high-intensity aerobics
- How to plan and deliver circuit training across a range of environments and equipment
- Nine different types of circuit-based session designs ideal for bootcamps
- The benefits of bootcamp training, including its suitability for clients of all ages and fitness levels
3. Sunguarding® Course – Sun and heat protection for sports and outdoor recreation
Provided by Melanoma Fund
1 CIMSPA CPD Points
This free online course is designed for individuals who work, study or volunteer outdoors, formalising professional competence in managing sun and heat risk.
Developed in collaboration with scientific, medical, academic, and sport and outdoor recreation experts, the Sunguarding® Course delivers evidence-based, standardised professional training.
What you’ll learn:
- Managing sun and heat risk in outdoor activity: Use of the UV Index and practical protection strategies including sunscreen, protective clothing and shade.
- Recognising and reducing skin cancer risk: Understanding risk factors, early warning signs and the role of cumulative UV exposure.
- Identifying and responding to heat-related risk: Recognising early signs of heat stress and applying appropriate mitigation in outdoor settings.
- Modelling professional behaviour: Demonstrating protective habits and role-modelling sun and heat safety for participants, students or athletes.
- Applying the competence in practice: Integrating Sunguarding® principles into sessions, planning and decision-making.
4. Making Walks Sensory
Provided by Sense
2 CIMSPA CPD Points
This online workshop will help you gain the knowledge to be able to plan and deliver your own accessible sensory walks.
Sensory walks help individuals to engage with nature, so that they can use their senses to connect with their surroundings, have meaningful experiences and be active. The walks are designed for people with complex disabilities but can be enjoyed by anyone. You don’t need to take much, or any, equipment.
What you’ll learn:
- How to make walks accessible for the participants
- How to plan walks and add sensory activities, safely
- How to complete a risk assessment of the route you are planning to take
- How to lead a walk
- How to use mindfulness within the walks
5. Running Biomechanics Course
Provided by Biomechanics Education Ltd.
2 CIMSPA CPD Points
With an ever-growing array of running styles, it can be challenging to discern the most suitable approach for you or your clients.
This online course is built on the principle that there’s no one-size-fits-all running style. Delve into the evidence supporting various techniques and gain practical methods to determine the most effective running style for your clients. You’ll also gain insights into preparation exercises that can aid your clients in adapting to their chosen method.
This programme equips you with specialist skills in coaching runners, combining an understanding of the science of running with evidence-based insights on foot strike patterns. You’ll learn how to assess the lower limb effectively, stand out from other running coaches, and create a unique niche service for runners, helping you elevate your expertise and expand your professional opportunities.
What you’ll learn about:
- Appropriate terminology
- Strategies to engage confidently with local running clubs
- Development of a deepened understanding of running mechanics and gait sequencing
- How to analyse different running styles both extrinsically and intrinsically
- Identifying restrictions or dysfunctions and apply targeted screenings and exercise interventions to prepare runners for their chosen style.
Discover more CPD
More endorsed courses – find training and CPD opportunities to support you throughout your career in sport and physical activity.
Visited Endorsed Training Directory
Training Academy – discover the highest quality training and development opportunities with courses endorsed and mapped to our sector professional standards, provided by organisations that have achieved CIMSPA’s highest quality assurance outcomes.
Your CPD Library –there’s a variety of complimentary learning available via your CIMSPA Dashboard. Visit ‘My CIMSPA partner offers’, then ‘Your CPD Library’ for different ways to maintain your professional status and earn valuable CPD points including SkillGate, our eLearning platform, complimentary learning from our partners and other skill development opportunities.
FitPro* – explore the FitPro online education platform from your home or on the go and stay relevant in the sector.
Not a FitPro member yet? You can access FitPro via your CIMSPA Dashboard. Log in and look under the ‘My CIMSPA partner offers’ tab, then ‘Discounts’ and click ‘FitPro’ to get started.
*Only eligible membership categories.