02/06/2026
Exercise Is MedicineβSo Why Are We Letting Unqualified People Prescribe It?
As Zambia's fitness industry experiences unprecedented growth, the need for qualified exercise and fitness professionals has never been greater.
By Professor Oscar Mwaanga and Dr Francis Mwaanga
Imagine walking into a pharmacy and receiving medication from someone with no medical training. Most of us would immediately walk away.
Yet every day, thousands of Zambians receive exercise advice, fitness programmes and health guidance from individuals with little or no formal training.
The irony is striking because exercise is increasingly recognised as one of the most powerful forms of medicine available to humanity.
It helps prevent and manage Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular disease, depression and several forms of cancer. It improves mental wellbeing, productivity, mobility and overall quality of life. In fact, many public health experts now describe physical activity as a "wonder drug" because of its ability to improve multiple health outcomes simultaneously.
However, like any medicine, exercise must be prescribed correctly.
The global wellness industry is projected to reach a staggering US$8.5 trillion by 2026. Meanwhile, Africa's fitness market is surging, with South Africa leading a sector valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Zambia's fitness sector, though smaller, is showing rapid growth and is poised to expand into tens of millions of dollars in the coming years.
Across the world, people are joining gyms, participating in marathons, engaging in wellness programmes and investing more than ever in their health.
Zambia is experiencing the same trend.
New fitness centres continue to emerge. Community exercise groups are flourishing. Corporate wellness initiatives are growing. Road races and marathons are attracting record participation.
This growth should be celebrated.
But it should also concern us.
Because while participation is increasing, professional standards have not always kept pace.
Poorly designed exercise programmes can lead to injury, chronic pain, overtraining, cardiac complications and discouragement. Individuals living with hypertension, diabetes or obesity often require specialised exercise interventions. Children, older adults, athletes and people recovering from injury all have unique needs that demand professional expertise.
Good intentions alone are not enough.
A person would not trust an unqualified doctor to prescribe medication or an untrained engineer to build a bridge. Why then should we accept unqualified individuals prescribing exercise programmes that directly affect people's health and wellbeing?
This is particularly important as Zambia faces a growing burden of non-communicable diseases. Hospitals and clinics are reporting increasing numbers of patients living with hypertension, diabetes, obesity-related complications and cardiovascular disease. Many of these conditions are linked to sedentary lifestyles, poor nutrition and insufficient physical activity.
The encouraging news is that many of these illnesses can be prevented or managed through properly designed physical activity programmes.
That is why professionalising Zambia's exercise and fitness sector is no longer a luxury.
It is a public health necessity.
The exercise and fitness profession sits at the intersection of sport, education, healthcare and community development. A qualified fitness professional does far more than help someone lose weight. They may help prevent diabetes, improve mental health, reduce healthcare costs, increase workplace productivity and ultimately save lives.
The economic implications are equally significant.
A healthier population means lower healthcare expenditure, fewer sick days, increased productivity and stronger economic growth. Around the world, governments increasingly view physical activity as an investment rather than an expense.
For Zambia, the opportunity is immense.
The country's youthful population, growing awareness of health and increasing participation in recreational sport create fertile ground for a thriving exercise and fitness industry.
However, growth without professionalism carries risks.
Professionalisation must accompany expansion.
It is against this backdrop that the Zambian Institute of Sport (ZIS) has launched the Professional Certificate in Exercise and Fitness, a programme designed to develop a competent, ethical and professional fitness workforce for Zambia and beyond.
Accredited by TEVETA and validated by Kwame Nkrumah University, the programme has been benchmarked against international best practice and aligned with competencies promoted by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) in the United Kingdom.
Delivered through a flexible Open and Distance Learning model with practical components, the programme provides opportunities for fitness instructors, personal trainers, coaches, teachers, wellness practitioners, sports administrators and aspiring professionals to gain recognised qualifications while continuing with their employment and personal commitments.
The curriculum covers exercise science, anatomy and physiology, fitness assessment, programme design, injury prevention, sports first aid, wellness promotion, professional ethics, leadership and reflective practice.
This is not simply about producing gym instructors.
It is about developing health promoters, exercise specialists, community leaders and wellness advocates capable of contributing meaningfully to Zambia's health and development goals.
The question is no longer whether Zambia's fitness industry will grow.
It already is.
The real question is whether that growth will be guided by professionalism, evidence and quality.
If Zambia gets this right, the benefits will extend far beyond gym walls. They will be seen in healthier families, stronger communities, lower healthcare costs, increased productivity and improved quality of life.
Exercise is medicine.
The time has come to ensure it is prescribed by qualified professionals.
About the Authors
Professor Oscar Mwaanga is a Sport and Exercise Psychology Consultant, Executive Chair of the Zambian Institute of Sport, and Programme Director at the University of London.
Dr Francis Mwaanga is Country Director of the Zambian Institute of Sport, a medical doctor and researcher with interests in sports health, holistic wellness, preventive medicine, public health, sport and community development.
