Finalists named for New Zealand Exercise Industry Awards

Leading trainers and fitness facilities from across the country have been named as finalists in the 2021 New Zealand Exercise Industry Awards to be announced in Auckland on 21st November.

Advising that the Personal Trainer of the Year And Supreme Facility of the Year awards are the most hotly contested categories, Richard Beddie, Chief Executive of Awards organiser the Exercise Association of New Zealand (ExerciseNZ), explains that the awards recognise exercise professionals and facilities for helping many of the nation’s 500,000 regular exercisers.

Beddie notes “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.

“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.”

Calling on the country’s new government to work with the industry and “help get more Kiwis active”, Beddie adds “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.’’

Last year’s Personal Trainer of the Year winner was Jessee James of Christchurch.

The awards next month are co-timed with FitEx - New Zealand’s largest exercise conference.

The finalists of the annual exercise industry awards:

Independent facility of the year:
ABSolute Health & Fitness
AUT Millennium
Iron Hood Fitness
Next Step
REVL
WOF Crossfit

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
Aligned Movement
Awhi Yoga & Wellbeing
Grassroots Yoga & Health
Team Tash Training

Personal trainer of the year: 
Alana Joe
Christie Houghton
Ginera Linton-Ozich
Jordan Berry
Kate Saynor
Kendra Stewart
Mikiko Kusuda
Radley Harahap

Up and coming personal trainer of the year:
Brittney McGregor
Carl Rein
Erica Stedman
Kaori Hughes
Stephanie Muschamp
Tara Acland

Exercise instructor of the year:
Janine O’Keffe
Joon Hann (Brian) Yong
Stephanie Lim Fong

Group trainer of the year:
Christie Houghton
Deb Wilson
Jonnie Morath
Lis MacLeod
Thomas Henderson

Group exercise instructor of the year:
Heidi Anderson
Joy McNamara
Louise Kirkham
Mami Wakino
Shelly Rosher

Yoga teacher of the year:
Mans Parsotam
Patrick Powdrell
Pooja Maddela
Rebecca Harford
Swami Karma Karuna
Tilak Raj
Zuri Brudenell

Outstanding support award:
Cat Keene
Lisa Brown
Michelle Copley
Rob Bone
Vanessa O’Rourke

Community contribution award:
Bootiful
LesMills 
Swami Karma Karuna Saraswati

Programme excellence award:
Active Soul
KC Fit
Prost-FIT
The Run Crew

Innovation award:
Growing Younger Fitness
Puff Fitness Postnatal recovery programme
REVL
Runbo

Educator of the year:
John Polley 
Luigi Bercades
Moana Bennett
Tyler Paul Jarrett

Click here for information on the FitEx  conference in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Images: Adapted Yoga and Pilates, Christchurch - named New Zealand's Supreme Club of the Year in 2019 (top) and Richard Beddie (below).