Christchurch – Scores of trainers and fitness facilities from all around New Zealand have made the finals of the annual New Zealand exercise industry awards.
The winners of the ExerciseNZ event will be announced in Auckland on November 21. The most hotly contested categories are personal trainer of the year and supreme facility of the year awards, ExerciseNZ chief executive Richard Beddie says.
Last year’s personal trainer of the year winner was Jessee James of Christchurch.
The awards this month are co-timed with FitEx which is New Zealand’s largest exercise conference. They recognise exercise professionals and facilities for helping many of the 500,000 Kiwis stay active, Beddie says.
“We hear stories about how people in the exercise industry are improving the lives of others and inspiring Kiwis to become and stay active, which has never been more important than this year during the covid pandemic, especially with the extra mental health challenges which exercise is proven an effective ‘medicine’ for.
“Exercise is the biggest sport in New Zealand with participation rates larger than the next three sports combined, including rugby, cricket and netball.
“We are seeing huge benefits from the large gym chains helping tens of thousands of members, through to the individual trainers and teachers who help people one on one, or in a community hall” he says.
“Research has conclusively proven that physical activity not only increases life expectancy, but also quality of live, and the New Zealand exercise industry is ready and willing to play its part. Beddie calls on the new government to work with us it to help get more Kiwis active.”
“Something needs to change in New Zealand given that we are the worst of all the developed countries and 13th worst in the world in meeting WHO exercise guidelines.’’
The finalists of the annual exercise industry awards:
Independent facility of the year:
ABSolute Health & Fitness- Dunedin
AUT Millennium- Auckland
Iron Hood Fitness- Christchurch
Next Step- Mount Maunganui
REVL- Wellington
WOF Crossfit- Wellington
Franchise facility of the year:
Anytime Fitness – Cashmere, Christchurch
F45 Training – Remuera, Auckland
SNAP Fitness – Invercargill
SNAP Fitness – Papamoa
Studio of the year:
Adapted Yoga & Pilates- Christchurch
Aligned Movement- Keri Keri
Awhi Yoga & Wellbeing- Wellington
Grassroots Yoga & Health- Christchurch
Team Tash Training- Dunedin
Personal trainer of the year:
Alana Joe- Wellington
Christie Houghton- Auckland
Ginera Linton-Ozich- Auckland
Jordan Berry- Wellington
Kate Saynor- Auckland
Kendra Stewart- Wellington
Mikiko Kusuda- Auckland
Radley Harahap- Dunedin
Up and coming personal trainer of the year:
Brittney McGregor- Papamoa
Carl Rein- Wellington
Erica Stedman- Dunedin
Kaori Hughes- Christchurch
Stephanie Muschamp- Hawera
Tara Acland- Dunedin
Exercise instructor of the year:
Janine O’Keffe- Auckland
Joon Hann (Brian) Yong- Auckland
Stephanie Lim Fong- Auckland
Group trainer of the year:
Christie Houghton- Auckland
Deb Wilson- Christchurch
Jonnie Morath- Auckland
Lis MacLeod- Auckland
Thomas Henderson- Auckland
Group exercise instructor of the year:
Heidi Anderson- Christchurch
Joy McNamara- Auckland
Louise Kirkham- Mount Maunganui
Mami Wakino- Auckland
Shelly Rosher- Auckland
Yoga teacher of the year:
Mans Parsotam- Auckland
Patrick Powdrell- Auckland
Pooja Maddela- Auckland
Rebecca Harford- Christchurch
Swami Karma Karuna- Golden Bay
Tilak Raj- Christchurch
Zuri Brudenell- Wellington
Outstanding support award:
Cat Keene- Cromwell
Lisa Brown- Christchurch
Michelle Copley- Dunedin
Rob Bone- Christchurch
Vanessa O’Rourke- Christchurch
Community contribution award:
Bootiful- Auckland
LesMills- NZ
Swami Karma Karuna Saraswati- Golden Bay
Programme excellence award:
Active Soul- Auckland
KC Fit- Auckland
Prost-FIT- Christchurch
The Run Crew- Queenstown
Innovation award:
Growing Younger Fitness- Auckland
Puff Fitness Postnatal recovery programme- Wellington
REVL- Wellington
Runbo- Hamilton
Educator of the year:
John Polley- Australia
Luigi Bercades- Auckland
Moana Bennett- Auckland
For further information contact ExerciseNZ chief executive Richard Beddie on 027 5205744 or Make Lemonade NZ editor-in-chief Kip Brook on 0275 030188.
