Two of our dedicated team members are currently completing the Level 3 Pre and Postnatal Exercise qualification with leading training provider, Health and Fitness Education (HFE). This investment in their professional development reflects our commitment to putting our customers at the heart of everything we do and helping everyone achieve their fitness and wellbeing goals—no matter their stage of life.
The HFE qualification not only enhances the credibility and expertise of our team, but also enables us to offer higher-quality, more inclusive training to a group that has historically been underrepresented in the fitness industry.
How exercise positively impacts pregnant women
Every week,we welcome pregnant women and those recovering from childbirth through our doors. With nearly 600,000 births recorded in England and Wales in 2024 (Office for National Statistics), the demand for specialist support during pregnancy continues to grow. As more expectant mothers choose to stay active, we believe it’s essential to provide services tailored to their unique needs. Our hope is that by taking this step, we’ll encourage other fitness providers across the country to do the same.
Pregnancy brings significant physical changes, and staying active can play a vital role in helping women cope with those changes—as well as with labour. Evidence shows that active women are less likely to experience complications later in pregnancy. Some proven benefits of exercise during pregnancy include:
- A reduced risk of gestational diabetes
- Lower gestational weight gain
- Improved mental well-being
By completing the HFE pre and postnatal course, our staff will be equipped to support both new and expectant mothers in a safe, informed, and compassionate environment.
Upskilling our staff to support pre and postnatal women
The HFE course, designed specifically with pregnant women in mind, gives fitness professionals the knowledge and confidence to deliver effective, personalised sessions. The course covers key areas such as:
- The physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, such as the stages of pregnancy and hormonal changes associated with pregnancy.
- The benefits and risks of exercise during and after pregnancy, including strategies for reducing risks in pregnancy.
- Nutrition and healthy eating for expectant mothers, which covers hydration, pregnancy supplements and weight management.
In addition to delivering tailored training sessions, the course will equip our staff with the confidence and knowledge to offer educated guidance to pregnant women. It will also help them understand when exercise may not be appropriate—such as in cases where the woman did not engage in physical activity prior to pregnancy or has contraindications like severe anaemia.
By providing educated training, we hope to empower pregnant women to take care of their body in a way that suits them and their baby. The qualification promotes inclusivity within the health and fitness sector and will provide our team with the awareness and skills needed to support pregnant women safely and effectively on their fitness journeys.
[Jodie English, Strategic Lead TaAF] at Rossendale Leisure Trust said: “We’re filling a critical gap in specialised fitness support and empowering women to safely and confidently navigate their physical journey through pregnancy and motherhood.
“For us, training and development are not just about individual skills. They are fundamental to achieving our mission of improving community well-being, maintaining high standards, and ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of our services.”
The importance of health and fitness education
HFE is an industry leading provider of fitness instructor courses to the active leisure sector. HFE’s training programmes award students with Ofqual-regulated qualifications which are aligned with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) Professional Standards.
The level 3 pre and postnatal course aligns with guidance from the NHS, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and the Active Pregnancy Foundation, making it one of the most comprehensive learning programmes for exercise and fitness professionals.
Lee Cain, Managing Director at HFE added: “We’re seeing an increasing number of women who go through pregnancy choosing to exercise their body. This has come a long way in recent years thanks to the scientific evidence that suggests exercise is good for pregnancy.
“Our level 3 Pre and Postnatal course educates our students to a high standard so that their clients get the specialist support they deserve. We’re excited to be delivering our training course to members of staff at Rossendale Leisure Trust and hope that other fitness centres will be encouraged to do the same.”
To find out how you can receive pre and postnatal support at Rossendale Leisure Trust, [Contact jodie.english@tlrust.co.uk].
Left – Jodie English, Right – Fiona Latham
