Private rehabilitation training in fitness centres and using pools for private businesses

Who can use fitness centres and pools to train clients

Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, and physical therapists

You can work with your clients at a Park Board facility if you are:

• An accredited physiotherapist, occupational therapist, recreation therapist, rehab trainer, adapted fitness specialist, or similarly qualified professional
• A member of a recognized professional association such as the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia
• Protected with a minimum $2-million liability insurance specific to personal training. The policy must include the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, and Vancouver Police Board as insureds.
• Certified for Emergency First Aid and CPR Level C, or equivalent
• Registered with the Vancouver Park Board (learn how to register)
• Current City of Vancouver business license

Rehab assistants and therapeutic assistants

You can work with your clients at a Park Board facility if you are:

• Certified as a fitness professional with a personal training or similar emphasis, with any of the following organizations: ACE, ACSM, BCRPA, BCAK, CanFit Pro, CSEP, or NSCA
• Protected with a minimum $2-million liability insurance specific to personal training. The policy must include the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, and Vancouver Police Board as insureds.
• Certified for Emergency First Aid and CPR Level C, or equivalent
• Registered with the Vancouver Park Board (learn how to register)
• Current City of Vancouver business license

Personal trainers

You cannot use Park Board facilities to train your clients if you are a private personal trainer not affiliated with the Park Board. Currently more than 25 staff trainers offer this service on-site.

Register as an ERS

To operate as a external rehabilitation specialist with the Park Board, do the following:

1. Download and complete the External Rehab Specialist Registration Guidelines Form PDF file (102 KB).
2. Contact Mark Cartwright, Recreation Services Coordinator - Fitness, at mark.cartwright@vancouver.ca.
3. Submit the completed form and provide documentation.

Terms and conditions for using fitness facilities

As a registered external rehabilitation specialist (ERS), you must:

• Sign in when you arrive and sign out when you leave
• Show your ERS identification card
• Pay the required facility fees each time you visit:
  • Admission for both yourself and your client
  • ERS fee
• Wear a Park Board wristband, where required
• Follow the code of ethical conduct, regulations, and bylaws of the Health Professions Act, College, and Board
• Provide only those services that are within your scope of practice and for which you are qualified and certified
• Refer public questions to Park Board staff
• Cede to Park Board staff on any questions of inappropriate exercises
• Adhere to posted signs in each facility
• Refrain from monopolizing any piece of equipment when others are waiting
• Refrain from soliciting business while in the facility