NZ NEWS
News and views from the New Zealand fitness industry .
New brand , new look , new engagement
In late November , ExerciseNZ held its major events , the FitEx Conference and Exercise Industry Awards , in Auckland . We believe it was a world first for the fitness industry post COVID-19 , and something that we feel very fortunate to have been able to do . Gathering together to network , educate , and celebrate was at no point a certainty in 2020 .
While the face-to-face events were , understandably , smaller than previous years , we felt it important to offer in-person options both because we can ( and therefore lead by example ) and because this is what our industry is based on – meaningful human interaction .
At both events I gave a sneak peek at the new contemporary brand look of both ExerciseNZ and the NZ Register of Exercise Professionals ( REPs ). While the presentation shared the new logos and related imagery , what this was really about was the journey ExerciseNZ is on the cusp of embarking on , and an invite for others to join .
In 2021 , we intend to invite the government to work with the exercise industry to help deliver meaningful , scalable and targeted wellness outcomes for Kiwis . While we all know the multiple and layered benefits of exercise , this is something that governments globally have yet to fully appreciate – and therefore to support on any scale . We intend to change that , and by working together with government , iwi , employers , academia , and the wider community , we will be making exercise , and all its benefits , available to more and more Kiwis .
While it may appear self-evident , ExerciseNZ doesn ’ t operate exercise facilities , nor do we give direct advice to the public about exercise , so to deliver on this intention will require the engagement and support of the exercise industry that we serve . We intend to go on a new journey , and we ’ re inviting you to be part of it !
Given its unique position with COVID-19 community transmission , it ’ s also clear that we can be a beacon of hope for the rest of the globe when it comes to what happens post-pandemic . While it ’ s certainly been tough for many , all the statistics and data tell us that once exercise facilities reopen with
limited or no restrictions , members and clients will come back – and quite quickly too .
New Zealand is also an example of a government working with industry to set and enforce balanced , evidence-based rules on the exercise industry , and as a result we ’ ve been fortunate to avoid many of the over the top , non-evidenced based policies that many other countries and regions have had to suffer .
Many people will be looking for a fresh start in 2021 , and joining a gym or starting a new exercise regime – already a popular decision as the calendar flips over to January – will potentially be higher up even more people ’ s lists of new year ’ s resolutions . We look forward to supporting the exercise industry through what may prove to be an extra busy new year period .
Until then , we wish everyone a safe and restful Christmas break .
Richard Beddie CEO , ExerciseNZ info @ exercisenz . org . nz
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