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Having survived the city's devastating February 2011 earthquake, Les Mills' Christchurch fitness club has been named 'Fitness Works - Supreme Club of the Year' at the 2012 New Zealand Fitness Industry Awards.

Recognised by judges for "rapid regeneration of (its) membership base, daily tracking and reporting of 'member experience' KPI's (and) an informed together team working to achieve targets", the club also won the Precor – Club of the Year award for (1500+ members).

Judges also commented on Les Mills, Christchurch's "very high retention rate, particularly for a large club, proves member satisfaction, backed up by attendance rates and customer feedback (and for being) New Zealand's first 'green' fitness club (having been) awarded the 'Envirochoice Tick'."

Managed by Fitness New Zealand, the 2012 Awards were held on Saturday (24th November) during the FitEx Conference and BusinessGrow seminars.

Alpine Health & Fitness, Queenstown was the winner of the 'Club of the Year (501-1500 members) ' at the awards.

Commending the Lakes Leisure managed facility, Award Head Judge Dr Nigel Harris stated "over 90% of Alpine Health & Fitness members recommend their gym to others and over 90% of the staff have stayed with the club since first opening three years ago. Their impressive growth and high attendance numbers are an indication of happy, loyal members. Their reinvestment is testimony to their ongoing commitment to continued member-centred excellence."

Alpine Health & Fitness Manager Richie Heap is very proud to have the facility and its staff recognised through the award, stating "it's fantastic to have been recognised as being a top notch community health & fitness facility by our peers."

Other 2012 New Zealand Fitness Industry award winners are:

CLUB AWARDS
Exercise Studio: Activ8 Northland, Whangarei
Club of the Year (under 500 members): Habit Platinum, Wellington
FitnessWorks – Innovation Award: cityfitness, Nationwide
APRA / PPNZ – Facility Sight and Sound Award: Tepid Baths, Auckland

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Up and Coming Personal Trainer of the Year: Alice Richards, Dunedin
FitnessLife Magazine – Personal Trainer of the Year: Bronwyn Adams-Hooper, Darfield
Group Exercise – Freestyle: Strini Naidoo, Auckland
Group Exercise – Pre-Choreographed: Jean Scott, Christchurch
Small Group Training: Ben Whittingham, Whangarei
AUT University – Gym Instructor of the Year: Robyn Proffit, Auckland
Bella- Outstanding Club Support Award: Michelle Olds, Auckland

COMMUNITY & EDUCATION AWARDS
Corporate Initiative: Bene-fit, Auckland
Judges' comments: A supervised programme that overcomes barriers to exercise, Bene-fit has built confidence and empowered participants who would otherwise be unlikely to use gym-based exercise as an option. A notable aspect of the Bene-fit program is that 90% of participants have continued to exercise regularly, many now hold gym memberships and use the gym regularly. Such initiatives provide deeper reach for the fitness industry into the corporate market so clearly needing to embrace all that regular, structured exercise has to offer health and productivity

Schools Award: Joint Winners: New Zealand Competitive Aerobics Federation and Fit & Well NZ Ltd

Horley's – Community Award: Arena Gym at Pettigrew Green Arena
Judges' comments: Arena Gym has continued with its successful provision of programmes that benefit user groups across the wider community. A learning facility for local students, an educational and exercise facility for local DHB Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab programmes, Arena Gym has recognised the value such community initiatives bring to their local community.

Lecturer of the Year: Ruth Naidoo, Auckland
Mentor of the Year: Joe Laiman, Auckland

SPECIAL AWARDS
Skills Active Award – for contribution to workplace education: Mandi Jensen, Manaaki Fitness Centre, Turangi
REPs Award – for contribution to professionalism and standards: cityfitness, nationwide
Peoples Choice Award: Mish McCormack, Wellington

For more information go to www.fitnessindustryawards.co.nz

Image shows Les Mills, Christchurch.

16th May 2012 - ENTRIES OPEN FOR NEW ZEALAND FITNESS INDUSTRY AWARDS

20th March 2012 - LES MILLS DUE TO REOPEN CHRISTCHURCH CLUB

30th November 2011 - EXCELLENCE RECOGNISED AT 2011 NEW ZEALAND FITNESS AWARDS 

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