Questions and Answers

Here are a list of questions that have been asked by potential entrants, along with a brief answer.

	Category Related Questions
Q:	What is the difference between a Gym Instructor and a Personal Trainer?
A:	For the awards, a Personal Trainer is any exercise professional who provides exercise services to a client(s) that include exercise advice and also motivation/support throughout a workout, and charges the client for this. The trainer may be an employee of a club or a contractor, and/or operate outside an exercise facility. A Gym Instructor provides services to members/customers of a facility but this is limited to writing and demonstrating exercise programmes and does not charge the client directly.
Q:	How long can I be a PT for and still enter the Up and Coming PT category?
A:	The Up and Coming PT category is open to any person who at the time of entering has been a PT for less than 2 years (ie up to one year and 364 days). Trainers that have been a PT (part or full time) for 2 years or more should enter the Personal Trainer category.
Q:	How do I enter one of the special awards (Skills Active, FitnessNZ or REPs)?
A:	These categories are by invitation only. Any person can be suggested to be considered for a special award here.
Q:	I teach a small group of people doing exercise – what is the difference between Small Group Training, Personal Training and Group Exercise when I do this?
A:	In brief: The key thing with Group Exercise is that is instructor lead with a “do as I do” type activity, so everyone does the same thing at the same time, including the instructor (eg “Step”) Personal Training involves the trainer designing a specific exercise programme for each person (although it may be the same for more than one person) based on certain needs/goals and then supervising/supporting them while undertaking their programme. It is very rare for a PT to be exercising with the group. Small Group Training involves a small group following a set series of activities and a structured programme (eg “Boot Camp”), lead by an instructor. While allowances may be made for participant’s ability, the activities the group undertakes is all the same most of the time (i.e. the training programme sets the activity/exercises, not the instructor). Not all participants do the same thing at the same time, and the instructor(s) do not normally do all the exercises (but might demonstrate them).
Q:	What’s the story with the People’s Choice award? What is different about it?
A:	For this category there is no formal entry process, and it’s judged by the public through online voting. The whole process is explained on the people’s choice page, but in brief there are two phases: Initial nominations (which are now closed), and voting for the top ten (which open in June, and closes in mid July). (Think of it like American Idol, just without Simon Cowell.)

	General Questions about entering
Q:	Can I have an extension to summit my application?
A:	To be fair, extensions are not granted for ANY reason. Entrants that do not get their on-line application complete on time will not be granted an extension. This includes contact on the day before the close of saying that the web site application process doesn’t work for them. You have been warned, enter early!
Q:	How will I know if I am selected as a finalist?
A:	You will be contacted. The time line for this is explained on the awards entry page.
Q:	Can I submit new information to my application once I have entered?
A:	No, as judges may have already reviewed your application.
Q:	Can I enter more than one category?
A:	Yes (as long as you meet the criteria for each category you are entering).

	Questions about the dinner / awards ceremony
Q:	When can I buy tickets for this and how much will they be?
A:	Bookings open in July 2010. The early bird rate will be less than $100 per person. There will be a special intro rate for attendees to the Conference (www.getnzactive.co.nz), which will be announced in the conference brochure available from mid in June.
Q:	Do I have to have entered to go to the dinner/ceremony
A:	Anyone is welcome! In fact most attendees are going to see who will win, and network with their industry peers, and have a good time. We also encourage people who have entered to go too.

	Questions relating to the judging process
Q	Who are the judges and what if a judge knows one of the entrants?
A	Judging for the awards is a rigorous process that is overseen by head judge Dr Nigel Harris, and includes 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.

This page will be updated as new questions are asked. This page was last update on 18 May 2010.