Cityfitness, a club chain in New Zealand, has been recognized for innovation in the health and fitness industry.
On Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, Cityfitness received the “Innovation Award” at the annual New Zealand Fitness Awards, as a result of its “Get Active” Challenge. The challenge encouraged citizens to burn 15 million calories as a collective.
To aid in this effort, Cityfitness traveled throughout New Zealand with a “Get Active” mobile gym (a truck filled with fitness equipment), and encouraged desk-bound workers to exchange a few sedentary moments, for active ones.
“We are thrilled to be recognized for our efforts,” said Angela Bendall, the director of marketing for Cityfitness. “These days, people want more than just a traditional gym offering and we are constantly scanning our offering to ensure we are developing initiatives that reach and meet the needs of our market.”
Throughout the challenge, Cityfitness raised money for the New Zealand Heart Foundation, which strives to fight heart disease. To date, Cityfitness has raised $20,000 towards the cause.
In addition to winning the “Innovation Award,” individual Cityfitness employees were recognized. Micah Lyndsay Brown, a Cityfitness personal trainer, won “Personal Trainer of the Year,” while Rick White, a Cityfitness personal training director, won “Mentor of the Year.”
Next year, Bendall said the organization will strive to continue inspiring New Zealand citizens to get moving. “Our goal for 2014 is to get more people moving and active and inspired to live a fit and healthy life,” she said. “We will look to do this by setting the nation challenges and working in alignment with charitable organizations.”
Cityfitness was founded in 2000, and boasts 21 locations in New Zealand. In addition to giving members access to state-of-the-art fitness equipment, the chain offers personal training, group exercise, boxmaster, TRX® and CrossFit.
By Rachel Zabonick
