Network Magazine spring 2015 | Page 67

NEWS News and views from the New Zealand fitness industry. Why we should let the poppies grow tall Nominations for the 2015 New Zealand Exercise Industry Awards recently closed, with record entries. This got me thinking about the value of entering awards. While both Australia and New Zealand suffer from tall poppy syndrome, and with it a reluctance to stand up high and say ‘I’m awesome’, anyone who works in this industry knows that it is full of individuals who do truly amazing, and often life-changing, work. Though many of us do not seek acclaim, we are often happy to suggest that others enter awards. In doing so we pay them a great compliment: ‘I think you do good work – so good that you should be publically recognised for it.’ For some who are nominated, winning the award isn’t the be all and end all – the process of entering can be very rewarding in itself due to the way in which answering the requisite questions forces them to ruminate on what they’ve done in their career and, more importantly, why they have done it. Taking this time to thoughtfully reflect on your achievements and challenges can not only be Roadshow showcases latest exercise trends ExerciseNZ recently finished its annual roadshow, presenting a series of workshops to several hundred exercise professionals and facility managers in eight cities around New Zealand. Visiting from Australia, the fantastic Marietta Mehanni and fellow presenters addressed various industry hot topics, including functional training (a term increasingly used to describe a multitude of activities) and small group training, which has exploded in popularity in the past 12 months. personally satisfying, it can also help you clarify your business’ mission, which can help steer you towards even greater success in the future. Though you may not choose to nominate yourself, I believe that if you work hard to enhance your fellow humans’ fitness and wellbeing then what you do is worthy of recognition. Richard Beddie CEO, ExerciseNZ The awards ceremony will be held on 21 November in Auckland, hosting around 300 people (last year sold out). For details and to purchase tickets visit exerciseindustryawards.co.nz Stress management scheme gaining popularity The number of personal trainers registering with the Stress Management Exercise Association Endorsement Programme (SMEAEP), administered by Exercise New Zealand, has taken off in the last few months, as has the number of personal training clients that are taking advantage of the programs that PTs are offering. Under SMEAEP, trainers and exercise facilities are able to offer exercise products and programs that are tax deductible to businesses and not subject to Fringe Benefits Tax, as long as they meet certain criteria set out by the Inland Revenue Department – one of which is that an individual delivering the program is registered with the NZ Register of Exercise Professionals. SMEAEP opens up huge opportunities for the self employed, as well as businesses wanting to address workplace stress by using the services of a registered PT or exercise facility. For details visit smeaep.co.nz NETWORK SPRING 2015 | 67