AusLeisure

Exercise Association of New Zealand (ExerciseNZ) is calling for industry-wide guidelines around high intensity workouts including a weekly maximum time limit for this type of training for gym-goers.

Saying that the guidelines should be put in place in the context of safety standards for all New Zealanders who exercise, ExerciseNZ Chief Executive Richard Beddie has backed Les Mills International Head of Research Bryce Hastings whose new study found just 30 to 40 minutes a week of high intensity interval training (HIIT) was acceptable, reducing the risk of injury or illness compared to longer or more frequent high intensity session.

Beddie says people heading to gyms and exercise facilities to make sure that when they get exercise advice from suitably trained experts, commenting “we think Kiwis deserve protection when getting advice about what to do regarding high intensity training.

“The impact of this latest research study may have impacts reaching beyond that, especially for people exercising in their garage with mates or at a local sports club.

“While educating professionals is one half of the equation, empowering and educating exercisers is just as important. All people who exercise deserve to be safe, regardless of cost or geographical location.

“In New Zealand we have robust and well-regulated health and safety laws and together with industry best practices, forms a great basis for the start of industry standards.

“New Zealand already leads the way internationally with more than 75% of all exercise professionals registered with the NZ Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) which uses the NZQA qualification framework as the basis of its entry criteria, as well as being internationally benchmarked and recognised in over a dozen countries.

“We support the movement for more regulation in the industry as we start to help more and more people getting active. This means the traditionally inactive people, with more unique needs starting to exercise.”

Beddie also called for the New Zealand Government and its agencies to work collaboratively with the exercise industry community to support Kiwis getting into exercise which effectively reduces the burgeoning health bill.

ExerciseNZ represents more than 625 exercise facilities and more than 3200 registered exercise professionals in New Zealand. They provide services to more than half a million Kiwis on a regular basis, making exercise the largest sport in New Zealand.

Image: Richard Beddie 

22nd July 2018 - LES MILLS’ BRYCE HASTINGS SUGGESTS UPPER LIMIT FOR HIIT TRAINING

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11th March 2018 - REEBOK LES MILLS TO LAUNCH AT SINGAPORE’S ACTIFIT ASIA  

8th March 2018 - LES MILLS ANNOUNCES GLOBAL LAUNCH OF ENHANCED SMARTBAR 

6th March 2018 - EXERCISE NEW ZEALAND PARTNERSHIP AIMS TO IMPROVE FITNESS CLUB SAFETY 

8th February 2018 - ACCIDENT COMPENSATION CORPORATION NOTES RISE IN GYM-RELATED INJURIES 

29th January 2018 - TOP PERSONAL TRAINER SENDS OPEN LETTER TO NEW ZEALAND’S PRIME MINISTER ON IMPROVING FITNESS LEVELS 

26th December 2017 - EXERCISE NZ’S RICHARD BEDDIE URGES NEW ZEALANDERS TO KEEP ACTIVE OVER THE HOLIDAYS

26th November 2017 - NEW ZEALAND’S EXERCISE INDUSTRY AWARDS RECOGNISE EXCELLENCE 

28th September 2017 - LES MILLS APPOINTS BRANDWAVE MARKETING TO BOOST BUSINESS STRATEGY

20th September 2017 - LES MILLS AND UNICEF SEAL GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP 

14th September 2017 - LES MILLS’ NEW ZEALAND GYMS WIN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AWARD

1st July 2017 - LES MILLS-BACKED RESEARCHER HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS OF HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING

18th December 2016 - LES MILLS OFFERS INSIGHT INTO RUNNING SUCCESSFUL VIRTUAL FITNESS PROGRAMS

7th August 2016 - LES MILLS HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF EXTERNAL MOTIVATION IN ACHIEVING FITNESS GOALS 

30th July 2016 - NEW ZEALANDERS NEED TO EXERCISE HARDER BUT FOR LESS TIME

6th July 2016 - STUDY SHOWS HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING CAN REDUCE WAISTLINES

15th January 2016 - LES MILLS INTRODUCES A NEW SOLUTION TO FILL CYCLE STUDIOS ​

15th January 2010 - LES MILLS RELEASES ‘FUTURE OF FITNESS’ RESEARCH

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Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.