Who We Are ?
ARFT is an independent professional body that maintains a register of qualified fitness trainers and accredited training providers in Africa.
We set standards for education, ethics and practice in personal training, group fitness and specialised coaching.Our History & Founders
The register was created by experienced fitness educators, coaches and academy owners who identified the need for a unified African system of recognition.
It was built to support both local markets and international mobility for African trainers.Governance & Advisory BoardExecutive Committee (President, Vice President, Secretary General).Technical & Education Committee (programme standards, curricula, exams).Ethics & Disciplinary Committee (complaints, sanctions, appeals).Partner Organisations & International LinksCollaboration with African and international exercise registers and accreditation bodies.Mutual recognition agreements and benchmarking with global standards where possible.3. Membership & RegistrationBecome a Registered Fitness Trainer
This section explains how a trainer can join ARFT, what documents are required and how the evaluation process works.
Typical requirements:
Recognized fitness qualification, proof of ID, CPR/First Aid, signed Code of Ethics, fees payment.
Message from the President
It is my great pleasure to extend my sincere greetings and appreciation to all fitness trainers, sports professionals, and stakeholders across Africa.
The African Register of Fitness Trainers (ARFT) was established with a clear vision: to elevate the fitness profession throughout Africa by promoting professionalism, quality standards, and recognition of competencies and professional experience.
We firmly believe that the future of health, fitness, and sports development in Africa depends on investing in people, strengthening professional capacities, and creating unified standards that encourage excellence, credibility, and sustainable growth.
Through ARFT, we are committed to providing professional registration and membership services, accreditation and recognition pathways, continuing education opportunities, professional experience recognition, consultancy services, and support for sports and fitness initiatives across the continent.
Our mission extends beyond professional services. We strive to build a strong and united African community of fitness professionals, fostering collaboration, innovation, leadership, and continuous development.
I warmly invite trainers, coaches, sports institutions, and industry leaders to join this pioneering initiative and contribute to shaping a stronger, healthier, and more professional Africa.
Together, we can inspire positive change and create new opportunities for future generations of African fitness professionals.
Dr. Mohamed Bekoulal
President
The African Register of Fitness Trainers (ARFT)
