About the fitness industry awards

The fitness industry awards are an annual event, which started in 2005, recognising excellence in the exercise and fitness industry.

The awards have a number of categories (a full list of fitness industry award categories can be found here), for both individuals and facilities that operate in the fitness/exercise industry, as well as special awards for those outside the industry showing a commitment to health and wellness through exercise.

With the exception of two awards, all awards are based on an application process that is reviewed by a judging panel, with finalists (pre-announced) and winners announced at a formal awards ceremony.

The award ceremony itself is extremely prestigious, and guest speakers have included the politicians the Hon John Key, Hon Rodney Hide, Hon Murray McCully and Sue Kedgeley.      The award ceremony’s MC is fitness and media personality Suzie Clarkson.

For a list of past winners, please see our past winners of the fitness industry awards page.

History

From 2005 – 2009 the awards were run by FitnessLife and were known as the FitnessLife Awards.

From the outset the awards were recognised by the industry association for the fitness industry (Fitness New Zealand), as well as the registration body for exercise facilities and exercise professionals (Register of Exercise Professionals or REPs).

After the 2009 event FitnessLife passed on the running of the event to Fitness New Zealand, with FitnessLife staying on board as the awards magazine media partner.

Judges

Judging for the awards is a rigorous process that includes assessment by a panel, which in 2009 comprised of senior lecturer in fitness and exercise at AUT, Dr Nigel Harris; minister for Local Government, Hon Rodney Hide; and social and clinical psychologist, Dr Alice Boyes.

In 2010, Dr Nigel Harris has been renamed head judge, and leads a panel of five judges.  While the name of other judges remains confidential until the awards evening, this year we have introduced specialty expert judges for certain categories who each bring a level of international recognition and/or particular expertise in a particular field to the judging table.   We can also confirm there are no celebrity judges in 2010 – all judges are chosen for their skills and experience as relevant to the awards.

All judges are of world class standard, and many are well connected to the New Zealand fitness industry. This means from time to time they will have existing dealings with some of the award applicants.  In such cases all judges also all follow a strict conflicts policy, and they do not make decisions related to these any award entries where the applicant has a significant involvement with the judge.