Dubai plan to license personal trainers

The Dubai Sports Council (DSC) is considering plans to regulate the Emirate's thriving fitness industry that would require all personal trainers to have a licence.

A DSC spokesman last week stated that "we want to regulate and set the criteria which will be applied before starting any physical activity business, club or small event."

At the moment licences for sport and fitness clubs and gyms are issued by the Dubai Economic Department. However, the DSC will take over this role as the Emirate's official sporting body.

Eventually, all fitness clubs will operate under DSC rules, which will be put together by industry experts.

Any club operating without approval will be punished, the spokesman told without giving further details.