AusLeisure

80% of trainers and exercise facilities in New Zealand are now operating online during the Coronavirus lockdown, according to Exercise Association of New Zealand (ExerciseNZ) Chief Executive Richard Beddie.

While some clubs and groups have comprehensive systems such as Les Mills and CityFitness, many smaller exercise, Pilates and yoga businesses now have up to 60 classes in their online timetables.

Beddie (pictured below) explains "the registration body for exercise facilities and exercise professionals in New Zealand, the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), has more than 3500 people and 250 facilities on its database. Already hundreds of them have updated their searchable profile to indicate they offer online services.

“For people who belong to (closed) gyms or studios using a trainer, the best way for them to keep active is seek out their gym or studio trainer and see what they are offering online. We are encouraging people to stay home and do all their exercise from home if at all possible, other than going for a walk.

“That will not only help people stay active, but where possible by supporting the provider, it means they will be around once the lockdown finishes. While the internet may enable delivery anywhere, we are still encouraging people to shop locally online. 

“For those new to exercise, it’s important to get advice on what to do from a registered exercise professional and not just a social media influencer with pretty pictures, hence the call to visit the REPs website.

“Exercise is always valuable, but right now even more so. If I was to pick just one reason right now it would be mental health. Everyone is going though extra stress, be it financial, social and significant uncertainly about the future which can lead to anxiety and, for some, depression. 

“Exercise is the single most effective tool at giving your body the best ability to cope. Think of it as medicine to take for your body every day, by moving your body in different ways.

“Even just going outside for a walk helps. But for the half a million Kiwis (before the pandemic) that already go to a gym, they want a bit more than that.”

New Zealand has the highest percentage of exercise professionals registered (just over 70%), compared to under 20% in many countries with registration systems and as high as 50 to 60% in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Beddie adds "wWe have some of the best training systems and personal trainers in the world. We have the best and biggest group exercise organisations. Les Mills, for example, which globally operates in over 100 countries.

“We also have thousands of dedicated and highly qualified exercise professionals and hundreds of independent studios and gyms around the country that can help keep Kiwis active - seek them out online and stay active,” he says.

Details of online programs these can be found at www.reps.org.nz.

Main image shows Les Mill On Demand.

Related Articles

31st March 2020 - With clubs closed fitness providers go online

29th March 2020 - Les Mills and TVNZ partner to deliver fitness classes during COVID-19 lockdown

27th March 2020 - ExerciseNZ disappointed that New Zealand Government allows delivery of alcohol and cigarettes but not exercise equipment

27th March 2020 - Les Mills delivers free digital solutions to help clubs overcome Coronavirus

7th March 2020 - ExerciseNZ to celebrate role of women in fitness on International Women’s Day

19th February 2020 - NZREPS shares research insights into exercise and fitness trends for 2020

18th February 2020 - ExerciseNZ questions fast food and sugary drinks sponsorship of sporting teams

17th February 2020 - Skills Active announces recipient of their Exercise Scholarship

30th January 2020 - ExerciseNZ’s Beddie calls for New Zealanders to be more active in 2020

11th January 2020 - $1 fitness classes offers exercise incentive at Aquatics Horowhenua

3rd January 2020 - Environment, exercise and diet top New Zealanders’ New Year resolutions

20th November 2019 - ExerciseNZ findings endorses new research showing that people becoming more active with the onset of summer

11th November 2019 - ExerciseNZ and Impact Training Corporation partner to boost club and studio sales

2nd September 2019 - NZREPs highlights benefits of exercising in water

11th June 2019 - NZREPs shares research insights into the value of High Intensity Interval Training 

31st January 2019 - New leadership for Snap Fitness and Fitness on Demand to drive new ‘strategic vision’

21st April 2015 - Precor launches bespoke exercise entertainment via Video on Demand

16th October 2013 - Cityfitness launches New Zealand’s most comprehensive online fitness application

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.