New Zealand fitness organisations keen to work with councils to improve Personal Trainers' access to

With outdoor group and personal trainers in parks growing in popularity in New Zealand, fitness industry organisations Fitness New Zealand and the New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) are looking to work with local authorities to ensure the development of appropriate guidelines and/or policies to enable all users to continue to fully enjoy their use of parks.

Mindful of media reports in Australia that highlight conflicts between outdoor group and personal trainers and other park users, and of some local authorities charging excessive licencing fees, FitnessNZ and REPs hope not to follow that example.

FitnessNZ Chief Executive Richard Beddie explains "in our view, the key thing to remember is that parks are there to be enjoyed by all New Zealanders, and the use of parks needs to be shared in a way that allows access to parks to legitimate uses, while also ensuring others can continue to enjoy the use of parks when exercise activities are on."

Noting that outdoor group and personal training in parks is becoming increasing popular, especially with the particularly warm and long summer, Beddie adds "one of the great things about activities outdoors is that it provides evenmore options for people to take part in structured exercise."

REPs Registrar Stephen Gacsal adds "as the majority of Personal Trainers are now registered, REPs is able to work with councils and regional authorities to ensure those delivering exercise activities in parks meet safety standards, such as having up to date first aid, and are suitably qualified to deliver the activities they are undertaking.

"Like all industries, there are always a small who number give a bad name to rest of the industry, and that's why it's so important that when choosing an exercise professional that they are registered with REPs.

"We share FitnessNZ's view that parks need to be shared in a way that everyone continues to enjoy their use, while allowing legitimate exercise activities to take place."

Checking a trainer can be undertaken by calling 0800 554 499 or online at

http://www.reps.org.nz