FitnessNZ Launches New Zealand's largest activity initiative

FitnessNZ is subsidising $500,000 of fitness club memberships across the country as part of GetNZ Active, New Zealand's largest ever initiative to get more people physically active.

The initiative involves subsidising over 1,000 memberships to first time users of exercise facilities to between 40% and 70% of their value, targeting individuals that are not current members of fitness centres. With no Government backing, FitnessNZ has raised this pool of over $500,000 in conjunction with over 140 member facilities.

GetNZ Active involves the exercise industry doing its part to help combat New Zealandâs health issues including the obesity epidemic, rising diabetes levels, and spiralling long term health costs and is consistent with the Ministry of Health's Healthy Eating - Healthy Action (HEHA) Strategy.

With obesity, type two diabetes and related health conditions continue growing at epidemic rates and levels of physical activity and exercise dipping FitnessNZ Chief Executive Richard Beddie explains "the fitness industry has stepped up to the challenge and aims to get 1,000 more Kiwis physically active in one hit. Through GetNZ Active 2009 we managed to get 550 New Zealanders more active, and we are aiming to double this number this year."

Collectively, fitness centre based activities (including gyms, health clubs and specialist personal training studios) already provide more physical activity benefits to New Zealanders than any other single activity, with over 430,000 individuals taking part. 2009 data shows New Zealand has the highest participation rate within the Asia Pacific region (at 10.8% of the population).

New Zealand is also fortunate that through the New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) it is one of the four founding countries to administer international standards for those delivering exercise advice. By choosing to use the services of a Registered Exercise Professional, members of the public can ensure the advice they receive is both safe and effective, and they also help ensure the exercise is enjoyable.

"Individuals join fitness centres for a variety of reasons, from weight loss, right through to more holistic health and well-being reasons. One myth thatâs worth busting upfront is that fitness centres are for those already active - industry research shows over 80% of those that join fitness centres have never been to one before."

Beddie added "as there are limited numbers of memberships available at each facility we expect them to go fast, so we encourage anyone interested to act now."

FitnessNZ is a non-profit body that supports the development of programs to get more Kiwis physically active.

For more information contact Richard Beddie on 0800 668 811, E: richard@fitnessnz.co.nz, www.fitnessnz.co.nz 

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