Orangeville-based Fitness Kickboxing Canada has become the first kickboxing institution in Canada to receive national recognition for compliance with the Canadian Fitness Safety Standards.

The standards are guidelines and recommendations regarding fitness-related personnel, emergency procedures, communicable diseases, fitness environment, pre-screening and informed consent and special exercising populations. These were developed after a lengthy consultative process with fitness facilities across Canada.

"We are pleased to be the first fitness facility in Orangeville to be recognized for complying with the Canadian Fitness Safety Standards," said Ross O'Donnell, president of Fitness Kickboxing Canada.

"We are proud of our role in leading the way for other facilities to ensure all participants are trained by fully certified trainers and instructors in a safe and clean environment."

As part of the safety recognition package the facility will receive prominent placement in www.Canadianfitnessmatters.ca , which also lists the standards, directory results for people searching for a fitness facility in the area.

The site's introduction coincides with growing public awareness of the importance of personal health and safety and is meant to educate consumers to help reduce fitnessrelated injuries and health risks. Launched by the Ontario Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (OASES), a nonprofit organization.

"Safety of fitness club members is critical and we are pleased that Fitness Kickboxing Canada has shown that they too value the safety of their members," said Patricia Clark, executive director of OASES.