REPs International left fitness professionals scammed and betrayed.
REPs International uses a name and branding of the legitimate disbanded REPs UK, intentionally confusing fitness professionals and the public
In May 2023 our gymnastics club joined as a REPs (The Register of Exercise Professionals in the UK) business partner, and we were given REPs registered business partner badges. Just a few months later, we (and dozens other Personal Trainers in the UK) were scammed by them in deplorable subscription scam in September 2023. Since then, they changed their logo and their name to REPS International. Be aware of this brand, now called REPs International (you can still find them under the name REPs UK).
The fitness industry thrives on trust. Clients entrust their health and well-being to qualified professionals, and certifications like REPs (Register of Exercise Professionals) used to signify a certain standard. However, a disturbing situation has emerged involving a group calling themselves REPs International (and initially misleadingly referring to themselves as REPs UK), which has left many fitness professionals, including our company and our founder, scammed and betrayed.
It’s crucial to understand the history of the original REPs. The Register of Exercise Professionals was a legitimate body established in 2002 to professionalise the fitness sector in the United Kingdom. It provided a framework for qualifications, insurance, conduct, and ongoing training. Membership in REPs was a mark of credibility. Our Director, Dr Stefan Kolimechkov, was a REPs member between 2016 and 2020 as you can see from his membership cards below.
In fact, if a personal trainer was not a REPs member or listed on the REPs Exercise Register, the general consensus was that they were less serious about their work. During this time when a peronal trainer joined the REPs UK Register, details of their membership and qualification status were publicly available on the REPs Exercise Register website for all to see.
However, in 2020, REPs was disbanded, and its membership transitioned to CIMSPA’s Exercise and Fitness Directory.
This is where the problem arises. A new entity, REPs International (initially advertising themselves as REPs UK), has emerged, seemingly capitalising on the reputation of the original REPs. This organization is not affiliated with the original REPs nor CIMSPA. In September 2023, my company, along with dozens of other personal trainers in the UK, fell victim to a deplorable subscription scam perpetrated by REPs International. We joined as REPs business partners in May 2023, only to be caught in their deceptive trap a few months later.
Organisations such as EREPS, CIMSPA and UK Coaching released statements that they have nothing to do with the newly emerged REPs UK, but fundamentally they failed to protect or support all those who were already misled and scammed.
This situation is deeply concerning for several reasons:
- Misleading Name and Branding: REPs International uses a name and branding of the original, legitimate REPs, intentionally blurring the lines and confusing fitness professionals and the public. They also refer to themselves as REPs UK, further adding to the confusion.
- Subscription Scam: REPs International has engaged in deceptive subscription practices, leaving many fitness professionals out of pocket and feeling exploited. The details of the scam involved misleading terms and conditions, difficulty cancelling memberships, running card payments without consent, potentially holding card payments as nobody set-up a payment plan, not displaying who they are by including either companies house information or the individual trading as on their digital solutions e.g website, changing the amount they charged you without your knowledge, potentially using alias names to disguise their true identity, fake reviews using images of others in promotional material, terms and conditions not including who they are, saying they have been established since 2002 in four separate places on their website, when they were established in 2023.
- Damage to Industry Trust: Actions like these erode trust in the fitness industry as a whole. It makes it harder for legitimate professionals to stand out and can make consumers wary of certifications and registrations.
What Can You Do?
- Spread the Word: Share this information with other fitness professionals and your clients. The more people are aware of this scam, the less likely they are to fall victim.
- Verify Credentials: Always double-check the credentials of any fitness professional. Don’t rely solely on their claims. Verify their qualifications and affiliations with recognised organisations like CIMSPA.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter anything suspicious from REPs International (REPs UK) or any other organisation, report it to the appropriate authorities.
The fitness industry should be built on integrity and trust. The actions of REPs UK (REPs International) undermine these principles and must be exposed. By raising awareness, we can protect ourselves and our colleagues from falling victim to this scam and help maintain the integrity of the fitness profession in the UK and abroad.
Dr Stefan Kolimechkov, BA, MA, PhD, MCIMSPA, FECSS
Disclaimer: This blog post is based on our personal experience and information gathered from other affected individuals. The details of the scam are still being investigated, and this information may be subject to change.
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