Excellence recognised at 2011 New Zealand Fitness Awards

The Les Mills Extreme fitness club in Wellington was a major award winner at the 2011 New Zealand Fitness Awards.

Presented on Saturday in Auckland, Les Mills Extreme, Wellington received the Club of the Year (1,500+ members) award and went on to be named Supreme Club of the Year.

Ryman HealthCare, Christchurch and Arena Gym @ Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier were joint winners of the Community Award while Broni McSweeney Fitness New Zealand Contribution to the Industry Award.

The annual event, recognising excellence in the exercise and fitness industry, attracted entries from around New Zealand, from aerobics instructors and Personal Trainers, through to community based health programmes, and boot camp style training programmes.

Award organisers FitnessNZ's Chief Executive Richard Beddie commented "recent national events, including the Christchurch earthquakes, have resulted in substantial changes to the make-up of the entrants in several categories, but the standard and quality of entrants continues to be high as verified by dozens of mystery shops and random audits of finalists."

In addition to recognising excellence for both individuals and facilities, special awards were given for those showing a commitment to health and wellness through exercise.

With the exception of the people's choice award, and industry contribution awards, all the other categories were based on an application process and reviewed by a judging panel, with winners announced at the formal awards ceremony. 

Judging the awards was a rigorous process overseen by Dr Nigel Harris, Senior Lecturer from AUT University. 

Now in their seventh year the 2011 Fitness Industry Awards continued a tradition of celebrating the dedication and success of New Zealand's world-class fitness industry. 

Winners of 2011 Fitness Industry Awards were as follows:

FACILITY AWARDS
Gravity – Exercise Studio: Fit Studio, Auckland 
Dynex – Club of the Year (under 500 members): ABSolute Health & Fitness, Dunedin 
Club of the Year (501-1500 members): One Five One, Auckland 
Club of the Year (1500+ members): Les Mills Extreme, Wellington 
Supreme Club of the Year (made up of the winners from the above four categories): Les Mills Extreme, Wellington 
Fitnessworks – Innovation Award: Manukau Leisure Services – Krank 
APRA / PPNZ – Facility Sight and Sound Award: Les Mills Britomart, Auckland

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
HQH – Up and Coming Personal Trainer of the Year: Catherine Grace, Christchurch 
FitnessLife Magazine – Personal Trainer of the Year: Alison Storey, Waikato 
Group Exercise – Freestyle: Roxanne Flawn, Christchurch 
Group Exercise – Pre-Choreographed Joshua Dickson, Christchurch and Brent Edwards, Auckland (joint winners)
Small Group Training: Ben Whittingham, Whangarei 
AUT University – Gym Instructor of the Year: Penny Cairns, Auckland 
Bella- Outstanding Support: Yuki Toriyama, Christchurch 

COMMUNITY & EDUCATION AWARDS
Horley's – Community: Ryman HealthCare, Christchurch and Arena Gym @ Pettigrew Green Arena, Napier (joint winners) 
Lecturer of the Year: Ish Cheyne, Les Mills International, Auckland 
Peoples Choice: Susan Baxter, Dunedin 

SPECIAL AWARDS    
Skills Active Award – for contribution to workplace education: Helen Chisholm, Whangaparoa
REPS Award – for contribution to professionalism and standards: Jean Scott, Christchurch
Fitness NZ Award – for outstanding contribution to the industry: Broni McSweeney, Christchurch

For more information go to www.fitnessindustryawards.co.nz

1st December 2010 - TOP INDUSTRY PERFORMERS ACKNOWLEDGED AT 2010 NEW ZEALAND FITNESS AWARDS