ABOUT HFI

HFI Managing Director, Alison Hall had her introduction to the world of fitness and exercise at an early age by representing Great Britain in competitive swimming from the age of 15. These disciplines of fitness and motivation were set to mould her and provided the foundations for a career. Following these sporting achievements Alison’s studies were to capitalise on what was leant. After graduating in with a BSc (Hons) in Sports Science she went onto work as a Fitness Consultant in 1987. She qualified as an ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor also in 1987. After working in London in the private health club sector as a Fitness Consultant and a freelance Personal Trainer and briefly in Sports Development, she continued her studies and based herself in New York for a year to study for a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology and Clinical Exercise. While in New York she gained work experience in the private health club sector again, in a hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation programme and also in a large Corporate Wellness facility. While in the USA she qualified as an ACSM Exercise Test Technologist and Health / Fitness Director. In 1997 she returned to the USA to attain the ACSM Exercise Specialist Certification.

After successfully graduating with her graduate degree, she returned to London and set up a Corporate Health and Fitness business based in Kent. 1991 she also launched HFI Training by beginning to offer the ACSM Certification Programmes in the UK. HFI now offer ACSM training courses and exams and other specialist fitness consultant/trainer courses in London, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool. The ACSM qualification is highly recognised in this country, withstanding the test of time. It is also recognized as the international standard world wide.

Throughout her career as a fitness consultant/trainer Alison has become aware of the importance of the exercise adherence part of health and fitness training and as a result become qualified counsellor. She holds a diploma in Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) Counselling and is a certified Motivational Interviewing Trainer. As a result HFI Training also offer a unique Motivational Interviewing Workshop for fitness consultant/trainers. These courses are increasing in popularity with the realisation from health club owners and trainers that the specific nature and quality of the interactions between member and fitness personnel is crucial to maximizing retention rates.

In 1998 HFI Recruitment was launched, offering a high quality recruitment service to Health Clubs looking for suitably qualified and skilled fitness personnel. HFI provide fitness consultant/trainers with the right character and a unique balance between exercise science and behaviour-change psychology. Our team of highly trained and experienced personnel now provide this specialized service to a wide range of clients within the private Health Club sector.

Today, the HFI Group offer the ACSM Certification Programme, Motivational Interviewing Training, First Aid Qualifications, Career Advice and Recruitment, Books and other Resources and Health Club member retention consultancy services. HFI also have built up a network of like-minded fitness consultant/trainers under the banner of HFI Community. This offers a free network to members of the community and a Personal Training Business Solutions service called the No-Sweat Academy. HFI community also includes a Find-a-Client Service for Personal Trainers, a Find-Personal Trainer service for clients, an on-line Exercise Equipment store and Personal Training Insurance.

Since the launch of HFI, the fitness industry has changed dramatically. HFI continues to innovate with new courses being designed and scientific research into a variety of projects. The network of HFI contacts grows and the work the company carries out continues to provide a high standard of service and a valuable resource of skill.