Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland’s Christie Houghton has been named New Zealand’s personal trainer of the year at the annual ExerciseNZ awards event.
With 12 years in the industry, Houghton works predominantly with women. She says her biggest challenge as a fitness adviser is educating women around the understanding of their bodies, their physiology and training them to help them train better.
Houghton connects and collaborates with allied health professionals to find clarity around client needs to work towards results that are best for the client.
She uses a thorough pre-exercise screening, takes a stepping stone approach in early stages of client journey and offers her new clients the ability to begin training without overwhelming them.
She says she starts with new clients honouring the space they are within now. This is done through a traffic light system of adjustment and pivoting around that space for training is critical. It’s always about the best results for the client.
Dunedin’s #TeamTash Training won the New Zealand studio facility of the year award.
The thorough strategic planning for their business was obvious with meetings, training and culture, the judges said.
#TeamTash Training says the little things they do in business has a big impact and the business’s team philosophy exemplifies this.
From a commercial perspective, the increase in member yield is more impressive from the judge’s perspective than the growth they have achieved.
Each #TeamTash session is personally designed by women for women. they keep class sizes small and personal to make sure we bring the best out in you every session. They are obsessed with seeing women support, encourage and empower each other.
Education, Support & Programme
Educator of the Year
David Liow – Sunshine Coast, Australia
Programme Excellence Award
She Moves Fitness Collective – Morrinsville
Community Award
Access and Inclusion Programme at Franklin Pool and Leisure – Auckland
Outstanding Support Award
Craig Coote – Cromwell
Industry Awards
Te Mahi Ako – Manukura Award
Tony McMahon – Invercargill
Ta Mahi Ako – Te Iti Kahurangi Award
CLM Richmond Aquatic Centre – Richmond, Nelson
REPs Award
Alan Reynolds – Wellington
ExerciseNZ Award
Himan Patel – Auckland
Group Exercise Instructor of the Year
Ivan Ho – Auckland
Yoga Teacher of the Year
Pooja Maddela – Auckland
Group Trainer of the Year
Kaori Hughes – Christchurch
Student of the Year
Corbin Hall – Wintec- Hamilton
Up and Coming Personal Trainer of the Year
Hannah Worth – Auckland
Franchise Facility of the Year
Flex Fitness Howick – Auckland
Independent Facility of the Year
IHF Health Club – Christchurch
Chain Facility of the Year
Tepid Baths – Auckland
Supreme Facility of the Year
Team Tash Training – Dunedin
For further information contact ExerciseNZ chief executive Richard Beddie on 027 5205744 or Make Lemonade NZ’s editor-in-chief Kip Brook on 0275 030188
