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Excellence in providing services, education and facilities to New Zealanders wanting to be active and healthy has been recognised at the annual New Zealand Exercise Industry Awards.

Presented on the evening of Saturday 25th November in Auckland, the awards recognise professionals and organisations that have excelled in the fitness industry and demonstrated a notably positive impact on the lives of New Zealanders.

Among the 20 awards presented were the People’s Choice, Personal Trainer of the Year, Community Excellence, Student of the Year and small, medium and large Exercise Facility of the Year.

Full list of Awards:

Educator of the Year - Alistair Richardson, Hamilton
Judges Comments: "This year Alistair showed us a shining example of workplace education in action. The judges particularly noted Alistair’s work and mentoring with secondary school students, giving them training and firsthand experience in a gym; no doubt contributing to inspiring the trainers of the future.”

Innovation Award - Busybody 12 Minute System, Auckland 
Judges Comments: "No time for exercise is a common excuse, the winner in this category has broken down this barrier with an innovative offering - an exercise product that is broken down into just 12 minutes a week of high-intensity training with their business."

Programme Excellence Award - Puff Fitness Postnatal Recovery Programme
Judges Comments: "A meticulously researched and thoroughly developed programme for post natal women, with outstanding client care and attention to needs. The Puff fitness programme sets a new bar for postnatal recovery in an exercise setting."

Community Excellence Award - YMCA Lynfield Youth & Leisure, Auckland 
Judges Comments: "A true community organisation in action, providing a range of services within it’s walls to get it’s locals active but also providing tangible support to community physical activity initiatives beyond their facility and out in the wider community through their work and also through supporting other providers."

Individual Awards
Group Exercise - Pre-choreographed Instructor of the Year - Lee Radich
Judges Comments: "Lee showed an extremely strong technical proficiency. in addition Lee’s vocal cues and motivational performance was outstanding. Overall there was high level of dedication to her class and participants."

Group Exercise - Own Choreography Instructor of the Year - Lis MacLeod
Judges Comments: "Lis is the epitome of what a group exercise instructor needs to be: technically correct, has energy to burn and great Communication. Lis’s personality shows through in all her classes, which only further adds to the positive experience had by her participants."

Mindbody Instructor of the Year - Amy Green
Judges Comments: "Through utilising excellent technical knowledge in yoga sequencing and teaching, while delivering powerful, heartfelt philosophical messaging throughout the class; Amy clearly gives her students sessions designed for both the body and the mind. Amy’s teaching is a stunning example of what it takes to inspire people to connect with a deeper purpose through exercise. Amy teaches with warmth and she exhibits what it means to ‘hold space’ by staying connected to her students needs.”

Small Group Trainer of the Year - Libby Searle, Christchurch
Judges Comments: "Libby had excellent connections with her clients, she was able to work with a number of different client needs at the same time and her instructions enabled her clients to correct technique with relative ease."

Student of the Year - Ryleigh Hayes, Wintec, Hamilton
Judges Comments: "Ryleigh is a game changer, showing a maturity and an insight into the behaviours around sport, exercise and wellness at a level most often seen in more experienced trainers."

Outstanding Support Award - Julia Laulu Faalogo
Judges Comments: "With experience in a range of areas, Julia combines her broad exercise knowledge to her management role, supporting her team as a leader who walks the talk."

Peoples Choice Award - Lis MacLeod
Judges Comments: "This award is decided by public vote."

Up and Coming Personal Trainer of the Year - Shane Way 
Judges Comments: "Our winner exudes passion to help, he wants everybody to feel how he feels and keeps working with clients until they get there. He’s an excellent observer of patterns and gives good progressional options."

Personal Trainer of the Year - Corinne Austin
Judges Comments: "This trainer has shown great client care on a whole other level. She has upskilled and invested in her education regularly and thus gone beyond the realms of a session based PT and into a more holistic approach. Beyond sets and reps and into care of the total person. A trainer who isn’t afraid to only work with those she knows will 100% benefit from her care.”

Facility Awards
Studio of the Year - Power Living New Zealand, Wellington
Judges Comments: "A light and airy space, combined with high standards and an underlying philosophy of mind-body connection combine in this central wellington yoga studio. With high standards for staff and a real sense of community, Power Living offers a haven in the city for busy professionals.”

Independent Facility of the Year - ABSolute Health & Fitness, Dunedin
Judges Comments: "With only a few points difference between two finalists in independent scoring the winner of this category came through on their member feedback and community offerings.”

Chain/Group Facility of the Year - Stanmore Bay Pools and Leisure, Auckland
Judges Comments: "A modern well appointed facility that marries the needs of it’s varied community members along with up to date equipment and areas. Judges notes the range of services offered and the fantastic team onsite.”

Supreme Club of the Year - Stanmore Bay Pools and Leisure, Auckland
Judges Comments: "A combination of high marks on all scoring, including Net promoter score of 88 and excellence across a range of criteria, a culture of inclusion and support- for staff as well as members makes this club stand out.”

Special Awards
NZ Register of Exercise Professionals Award - YMCA North Shore, Auckland 

Exercise Association of New Zealand Award - Brett Fairweather

Skills Active - Manukura Award - Janene Dixon Smith, Gisborne

Skills Active - Te Iti Kahurangi Award - New Zealand Defence Force

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