Who can become a Lungs in Action instructor?

Lungs in Action classes are delivered by Physiotherapists, Accredited Exercise Physiologists, Exercise Scientists and/or suitably qualified Personal Trainers (Certificate IV Fitness with a minimum 2 years experience in the Older Adult specialty) who have been specially trained by The Australian Lung Foundation.

Lungs in Action instructors are trained to provide safe, maintenance exercise classes in local facilities such as community halls, fitness studios, gyms and university clinics etc.

(Fact sheets are available that give more details about the topics covered in the training undertaken by personal trainers, Exercise Physiologists and Physiotherapists. The topics covered in Lungs in Action training are listed below.)

How do I become a Lungs in Action instructor?

Physiotherapists and Accredited Exercise Physiologists are immediately eligible for Lungs in Action training and can download the  Full Accreditation Online Enrolment Form  and send it with their CV to the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  - Lungs in Action.  

Exercise Scientists and Personal trainers who have a minimum of 2 years experience in the Older Adult competency are also eligible to become Lungs in Action instructors and can download the  Full Accreditation Online Enrolment Form  and send it with their CV to the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  - Lungs in Action.

Occupational Therapists, Nurses and other health professionals who are interested in becoming Lungs in Action instructors are encouraged to contact the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - Lungs in Action to determine their eligibility.

Allied Health Assistants, fitness instructors and the general public who either do not meet the minimum requirements, or perhaps just want to know more about exercising this group without actually becoming a Lungs in Action instructor, can still undergo the online theoretical training (at a lower cost) to increase their knowledge about COPD and exercise, even though they won’t be eligible for the practical component that is required to become FULLY accredited instructors. Access to this training is obtained by downloading the  Information Only Online Enrolment Form . In this instance, CVs are not required.

What is covered in the Lungs in Action Instructor Training?

The key components of Lungs in Action theoretical training include:

• Refresher training on the respiratory system
• What is COPD?
• Other respiratory conditions
• What is pulmonary rehabilitation?
• Importance of exercise in COPD
• Limitations of exercise in COPD
• Recognising breathlessness
• Managing breathlessness – recovery positions
• Supplemental oxygen considerations
• Other chronic conditions
• Developing and implementing a tailored exercise program
• Program design

These points are all covered within a comprehensive online training program that comprises over 240 slides with pictures, voice over to give a classroom “feel”, videos of clients with COPD explaining the impact of their disease, videos of COPD clients exercising, video showing inside the lungs and the impact of hyperinflation, extensive extra notes pages, training manual, participant workbook, online quizzes and learning activities all designed to develop a better understanding of COPD.

The online training forms the basis of the theoretical component of Lungs in Action.

The Heart Failure Training Module covers the following:

• Causes of Heart Failure
• Symptoms of Heart Failure
• Classifications of Heart Failure
• Diagnosis of Heart Failure
• Limitations to Exercise
• Management of Heart Failure
• Medications
• Procedures (Pacemakers, ICD, Angioplasty, Stenting, Bypass)
• Benefits of Exercise and Heart Failure
• Safety Precautions when exercising
• Heart Failure Rehabilitation
• Programming for Heart Failure

The practical component of Lungs in Action requires the trainee instructor to have a willing Pulmonary Rehabilitation Physiotherapist or Pulmonary Rehabilitation Exercise Physiologist to act as their mentor. Mentors require a minimum of 12 months experience in Pulmonary Rehabilitation.  The instructors then undergo:

• One-on-one mentoring program with their local pulmonary rehabilitation physiotherapist or exercise physiologist, attending at least 2 x pulmonary rehabilitation classes in order to work their way through a checklist of core competencies.
• Demonstration of exercise modifications to the physiotherapist if required.
• A written assignment for which trainee instructors develop a sample class based on a sample list of participants. The trainee instructors are required to demonstrate that the design of their model Lungs in Action class takes into account the exercise modifications that might be necessary for the individual clients (given their disease severity and co-morbidities) and analyzes the suitability of the location and layout of equipment etc. This assessment is overseen by the mentor to ensure the model class:
  • meets with their approval so they are confident to refer their clients, and
  • compliments the local pulmonary rehabilitation program, ensuring a smoother transition for the clients.
• Practical assessment which is the delivery of a class with the physiotherapist assessing them.

The Heart Failure Module practical component will require an additional 2 sessions at the Heart Failure rehabilitation program to sign off the corresponding core competency checklist. 

Can I get Continuing Education Credits for the training? 

Lungs in Action is fully accredited by Fitness Australia and is worth 13 CECs.

In addition, 6 Fitness Australia CEC’s can be obtained by completing the Information Only component of the Training, without the practical assessment.

What are the benefits of becoming a Lungs in Action instructor?

Successful Lungs in Action instructors enjoy working as an extension of a team of health professionals in the rewarding area of chronic disease management. Successful programs see instructors gaining knowledge, extending their networks and developing excellent professional relationships with their referring mentors. This provides Lungs in Action instructors with an important referral stream of clients at a period of the day that is generally off-peak.

Potential instructors are partnered with willing mentors prior to beginning the course.

Instructors enjoy the personalized approach to the program as well as the increased knowledge.

Instructors also receive:

• a t-shirt
• a copy of “Better Living with COPD – a Patients Guide”
• access to flyers and posters for your use
• advertising support on The Australian Lung Foundation website list of locations and class times
• access to resource materials for their clients
• ongoing assistance from The Australian Lung Foundation.

Coming soon – online forum for instructors.

How much does it cost?

The Australian Lung foundation has priced the Lungs in Action training to be affordable for instructors. Course prices can be obtained by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  - Lungs in Action