MEMBER PROFILE
MARK HURDLE,
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
OF FITNESS, NZ
Bachelor Degree of Physical Education
(BPhEd); Double Major in Exercise
Prescription and Sport and Leisure Studies;
as well as Level 3 Exercise Consultant and
other industry certifications.
I live, and primarily work, in Christchurch with
my young family, but frequently travel to our
clubs in Wellington, Nelson and Blenheim.
What is your main role in the fitness
industry?
As Regional Director of Fitness for
CityFitness South and Central Regions I
oversee the fitness departments of 16 clubs
and 150 PTs.
I run and coordinate a 4-day intensive
personal training academy that prepares
new trainers for their first day in our clubs.
I work with our head coaches and fitness
managers to ensure all PTs are developed
to reach their potential and positively affect
more lives: this includes facilitating the
practical component of the international
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) qualification.
How did you get into this industry and
how did you arrive at where you are
today in your career?
After graduating university in 2010 I started
working as a PT with CityFitness. I soon
Celebrati
ng team
success
started helping others within the team to
be more effective in the way they worked
with clients. I realised that this was my real
passion and that I could extend my reach
by assisting trainers in this way. Eight years
later I’m still pinching myself, as it feels like
too much fun to be a real job!
What skills are needed in your role?
I constantly need to be future-focused and
willing to challenge my staff and my peers
to be better than we were yesterday. This
constant growth can be a struggle, but the
best things in life come from breaking a sweat.
What are the best and worst aspects of
your job?
The best part is seeing my managers and
the trainers they help develop. I get a real
buzz from seeing others succeed, and this
constantly inspires me to be even better!
The worst bit would have to be time in front
of the computer getting caught up in KPIs
and seemingly endless emails!
What has been your greatest career
challenge to date?
Learning how to motivate people that I don’t
see every day. It’s easier when you can
challenge someone and see them growing
from day to day, but because I oversee a large
region, I work remotely from most of the team.
Coaching a
member
30 | NETWORK SUMMER 2018
the Chris
tchurch H
alf Mara
thon
winning the Head Coach of the Year in back-
to-back years. Also, seeing one of my rising
stars win the Personal Growth Award last
year. I work with some special people and
it’s always great to see them acknowledged.
What fitness qualifications do you hold?
Where do you live and work?
Finishing
What’s your main focus now and what
are your goals for the future?
I’m focusing on the skill development of my
head coach team. If I can make these key
individuals more impactful in their clubs, this
will flow through onto their teams. In the future,
I want our teams to change more CityFitness
members lives, as we strive to make New
Zealand the healthiest nation in the world.
Who has inspired you in your fitness
industry career?
I’ve always found exercise a crucial part of
what makes me who I am. It is what makes
me tick, and helps me to be a better person,
worker, husband and father. I love it and
share it with everyone who will listen. I’m
passionate about helping others to create
an emotional experience with exercise, that
they want to experience again.
What motto or words of wisdom sum up
your fitness/life philosophy?
Constant and measurable improvement. By
being the best version of yourself today, you
create a better tomorrow.
And finally, who would be on your
ultimate dinner party guest list?
Jim Carrey would bring the laughter, Peekay
from Bryce Courtenay’s The Power of One
would bring a level of intensity, Donald
Trump would spice things up a bit, legendary
body builder Ronnie Coleman would make
sure that no food went to waste, and ‘Double
All Blacker’ Jeff Wilson, my childhood hero,
would round out the guest list nicely.
And your greatest highlight?
There have been so many, but the top has
to be two head coaches from my region
Want to be profiled in a future issue? For details
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