14th annual Exercise NZ awards in Auckland this week

The country’s fitness experts and exercise facilities who help half a million Kiwis get physically active and healthier will be vying for the Exercise NZ annual awards in Auckland on Saturday night.

The exercise industry awards, now in their 14th year, are designed to recognise those doing amazing work to help get and keep more people active through exercise in New Zealand.

Exercise NZ chief executive Richard Beddie says it is such a it’s a privilege for his organisation to be able to recognise those that are finalists and winners.

“We also hear stories about how people in the exercise industry are improving the lives of others and inspiring Kiwis to become and stay active.

“The awards night on November 24 is a reminder that this is the best industry to work in as we all help people, through fun, innovative and creative ideas that we broadly call exercise.

Exercise is now the biggest sport in New Zealand with participation rates larger than the next three sports combined, including rugby, cricket and netball, Beddie says.

“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,” he says.
“I’m impressed and inspired by the stories of how exercise professionals, exercise facilities and community organisations are improving the kiwis in so many different and creatives ways.”

The Exercise NZ award finalists are:

Personal Trainer of the Year
Claire Bellingham, Auckland
Dan Hardie, Wellington
Freya Thomson, Palmerston North
Ginera Ozich-Linton, Auckland
Matt McKay, Dunedin
Naz Spencer, Auckland
Ngarama Milner-Olsen

Up and Coming Personal Trainer of the Year – For Personal Trainers in business for less than two years
Ben Marvin, Auckland
Ben Means, Wellington
Hayley Rapson, Auckland
Jane Williams, Christchurch
Kelly MacDonald, Auckland
Radley Harahap, Dunedin

Small Group Trainer of the Year – Personal trainers who lead small group training sessions
Boris Belmar, Auckland
Calvin Mitchell, Rotorua
Karen Hulston, Canterbury
Reece McCaffrey, Christchurch
Vanessa Warren, Christchurch

Chain / Group Facility of the Year – For facilities that are part of a larger chain or group
Cityfitness – 3 Kings, Auckland
Cityfitness – Willis St, Wellington
Les Mills New Lynn, Auckland
Stanmore Bay Leisure Centre, Auckland
YMCA at Lynfield Youth & Leisure, Auckland

Independent Facility of the Year
ABSolute Health and Fitness, Dunedin
Huddle Group Fitness, Christchurch
Iron Hood Fitness, Christchurch
Peak Fitness and Health, Hawkes Bay

Franchise Facility of the Year – For facilities that are part of a franchise
Anytime Fitness Cashmere, Christchurch
Anytime Fitness Shirley, Christchurch
Anytime Fitness Rangiora, Canterbury

Studio of the Year – Studios and specialist facilities
Adapted Yoga and Pilates, Christchurch
FXU VIBE, Wellington
Mind Body Movement, Whakatane
Studio Glow, Hamilton

Supreme Club of the Year – The best of the best.
Selected from the winners of the above four facility categories.

Group Exercise Instructor of the Year – Pre-choreographed – Instructors teaching pre-choreographed classes
Helen Suckling, Wellington
Julie Bish, Auckland
Kelly Hadwin, Auckland

Group Exercise Instructor of the Year – Own Choreography – Instructors teaching freestyle group exercise classes
Julia Ryder, Christchurch
Michelle Cross, Christchurch
Roxanne Flawn, Christchurch

MindBody Teacher of the Year –This category includes yoga and pilates but can be any class style that incorporates extensive principles of mind-body philosophy
Jase Te Patu, Wellington
Mans Parsotam, Auckland
Pooja Maddela, Auckland

Outstanding Support Award – Individuals working in a support role in an organisation or a facility
Charmaine Aitken, Christchurch
Kate Maxwell, Canterbury
Michelle Cross, Christchurch
Tabassum Razi, Auckland

Community Excellence Award – Individuals or organisation offering exercise to populations
that may normally find exercise difficult to access
FXU VIBE for Chronic Illness, Wellington
Instinctive Fitness Community Work, Rotorua
Seeding Yoga in Schools, Wellington
Soaringwords with Zumba at Wilson Home, Auckland
Your Way Wellbeing / Wellbeing – Your Way, Hamilton

Programme Excellence Award – Programmes involving exercise nutrition or other lifestyle interventions
Farm Boot Camp, Canterbury
Nats Levi Challenge, Auckland
Running Hot Coaching Hawkes Bay
Gold Fit at YMCA Auckland, Auckland

Innovation Award – A programme that is either a new idea or adds a unique angle onto an existing concept
Human Weapon Self Defence, Auckland
Safari Fitness (Wild New Zealand), Rotorua
Circuband- Christchurch

Educator of the Year – A person supporting or training exercise professionals in a lecturing mentoring or presenting role
Jesse Laughton, Wellington
Joe Waide, Wanaka
Mark Hurdle, Christchurch
Wendy Sweet, Hamilton

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