NEWS
News and views from the New Zealand fitness industry.
The changing face of the NZ fitness market
The Cityfitness chain, the ownership of which recently
changed to Canadian fitness magnate David PatchellEvans, has introduced a new pricing model into the
New Zealand fitness industry, offering membership
options from as low as NZ$7 per week. 24/7 access
is also planned and due to be launched this year.
Additionally, the pricing options include the ability
to allow guest access, and include group exercise
classes. A multi-million dollar upgrade of Cityfitness’s
clubs has also been announced, along with plans to
open many more facilities.
What’s clear from the recent changes and
announcements is that Cityfitness is both committed
to the New Zealand market, and prepared to try
different ideas to get more people active. With 21
existing sites, Cityfitness is in almost every major city
in New Zealand, so is well positioned to introduce
these changes to the market.
If we take a step back to look at the New Zealand
New guide for working in the exercise industry
exercise market, it is quite unique. The industry is still
predominantly made up of independent single-site
facilities, rather than the large chains which dominate
many markets around the globe. However, this is
changing, and in the last five years alone we have seen
chains grow from less than 20 per cent of the market
to almost 30 per cent. Additionally, licenced operations
such as CrossFit™ have successfully grown the market
outside of traditional gym/fitness centre facilities.
While everyone will have their own opinion on the
merits of low cost facilities, one thing is clear: 2015 will
be a time of change for the New Zealand fitness industry.
Richard Beddie
CEO, ExerciseNZ
Belgium joins Exercise Professionals international body
REPs Belgium has become the latest member to join the International
Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPs).
REPs New Zealand was a founding member of ICREPS, and registrar
Stephen Gacsal commented ‘having Belgium join the fold only further
reinforces the growing professionalism of our industry, and ultimately
aids in global portability of those working in the industry’. For more
details on ICREPs, visit icreps.org
The NZ Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) is working on a
new guide for those thinking about a career in the exercise industry.
The existing guide, developed in 2012 by REPs and ExerciseNZ
(then FitnessNZ), has proven popular with both students and those
considering opening a business in the exercise industry. The revised
version will reflect the ever-changing nature of the industry, and
showcase the diversity of options available to those considering a
career in fitness. For details visit reps.org.nz
NETWORK AUTUMN 2015 | 71