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Source: MakeLemonade.nz

Christchurch – Scores of trainers and fitness facilities from all around New Zealand have made the finals of the annual New Zealand exercise industry awards.

The winners of the ExerciseNZ event will be announced in Auckland on November 21. The most hotly contested categories are personal trainer of the year and supreme facility of the year awards, ExerciseNZ chief executive Richard Beddie says.

Last year’s personal trainer of the year winner was Jessee James of Christchurch.

The awards next month are co-timed with FitEx which is New Zealand’s largest exercise conference. They recognise exercise professionals and facilities for helping many of the 500,000 Kiwis stay active, Beddie says.

“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” he says.

“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.  Beddie calls on the new government to work with us it to help get more Kiwis active.”

“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.’’

The finalists of the annual exercise industry awards:

Independent facility of the year:

ABSolute Health & Fitness- Dunedin

AUT Millennium- Auckland

Iron Hood Fitness- Christchurch

Next Step- Mount Maunganui

REVL- Wellington

WOF Crossfit- Wellington

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- Christchurch

Aligned Movement- Keri Keri

Awhi Yoga & Wellbeing- Wellington

Grassroots Yoga & Health- Christchurch

Team Tash Training- Dunedin

Personal trainer of the year:

Alana Joe- Wellington

Christie Houghton- Auckland

Ginera Linton-Ozich- Auckland

Jordan Berry- Wellington

Kate Saynor- Auckland

Kendra Stewart- Wellington

Mikiko Kusuda- Auckland

Radley Harahap- Dunedin

Up and coming personal trainer of the year:

Brittney McGregor- Papamoa

Carl Rein- Wellington

Erica Stedman- Dunedin

Kaori Hughes- Christchurch

Stephanie Muschamp- Hawera

Tara Acland- Dunedin

Exercise instructor of the year:

Janine O’Keffe- Auckland

Joon Hann (Brian) Yong- Auckland

Stephanie Lim Fong- Auckland

Group trainer of the year:

Christie Houghton- Auckland

Deb Wilson- Christchurch

Jonnie Morath- Auckland

Lis MacLeod- Auckland

Thomas Henderson- Auckland

Group exercise instructor of the year:

Heidi Anderson- Christchurch

Joy McNamara- Auckland

Louise Kirkham- Mount Maunganui

Mami Wakino- Auckland

Shelly Rosher- Auckland

Yoga teacher of the year:

Mans Parsotam- Auckland

Patrick Powdrell- Auckland

Pooja Maddela- Auckland

Rebecca Harford- Christchurch

Swami Karma Karuna- Golden Bay

Tilak Raj- Christchurch

Zuri Brudenell- Wellington

Outstanding support award:

Cat Keene- Cromwell

Lisa Brown- Christchurch

Michelle Copley- Dunedin

Rob Bone- Christchurch

Vanessa O’Rourke- Christchurch

Community contribution award:

Bootiful- Auckland

LesMills- NZ

Swami Karma Karuna Saraswati- Golden Bay

Programme excellence award:

Active Soul- Auckland

KC Fit- Auckland

Prost-FIT- Christchurch

The Run Crew- Queenstown

Innovation award:

Growing Younger Fitness- Auckland

Puff Fitness Postnatal recovery programme- Wellington

REVL- Wellington

Runbo- Hamilton

Educator of the year:

John Polley- Australia

Luigi Bercades- Auckland

Moana Bennett- Auckland

For further information contact ExerciseNZ chief executive Richard Beddie on 027 5205744 or Make Lemonade NZ editor-in-chief Kip Brook on 0275 030188.

MIL OSI