Leisurelys programme wins Exercise NZ Community Award

The team at Alpine Health and Fitness were honoured to receive Exercise NZ’s 2023 Community Award for its Leisurelys programme aimed at those aged 65 and over.

The exercise industry acknowledged the incredible effort from Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) Sport and Recreation staff in designing and delivering an outstanding programme in the community space.

The Community Award is granted to a programme that emphasises participation in a population that would normally find access to exercise programmes difficult.

The over-65s group may find the gym or exercise programmes intimidating, but the qualified staff at Alpine Health and Fitness – based at Queenstown Events Centre – have designed an accessible programme that benefits the lives of members.

Leisurelys Programme coordinator Deni Zawalski said it was an honour to receive the award as a testament to the hard work put in by staff and participants that’s developed into something truly valued by the community.

“It’s wonderful to be recognized by Exercise NZ for running the Leisurelys programme. It really is a fantastic group of people and so many work hard to make it what it is. Our amazing members also make the programme truly special, especially in the way they support each other,” she said.

“Opening access to exercise to those that may find it difficult is incredibly important to us and something that we’ll continue to work on as we improve the Leisurelys over time.”

Deni said they’re always keen to welcome new members. Anyone interested in the award-winning programme should visit www.qldc.govt.nz/leisurelys or call 03 450 9005.

The Leisurelys programme was introduced in 2009. It offers the over-65s an extensive timetable of specific exercise classes aimed at supporting members mentally, socially and physically. The classes include gym, RPM (bikes), balance, dance, walking, strength, stretch, Pilates and aquafit.

ENDS|KUA MUTU.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.

FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri

Exercise NZ on why Leisurelys won:

Leisurelys is a well-rounded fitness and health offering that brilliantly serves its local ageing community. There is a wide variety of opportunities to engage a range of abilities and preferences, serviced and led by well-qualified staff. They’ve taken time and care to develop a highly attended programme and social and recreational activities outside of the gym.

About the Exercise NZ awards:

The Exercise Industry Awards have a number of categories, for individuals, programmes and facilities that operate in and around the exercise industry. With the exception of three awards, awards are based on an application process that is reviewed by a judging panel, with finalists and winners announced at a formal awards ceremony. Winners in past years have come from a range of backgrounds and each define excellence and success in their own unique way- we invite you to enter yourself or nominate a business or professional you think is doing great things.

The awards grow each year, as does the industry, with the standard and range of entrants, and the calibre of winners proving that the exercise industry is doing well. People and organisations who have entered have commented that “the awards have been a great opportunity, even just filling in the application made us think about our product and how we want to differ from others”. Just as the industry changes, the awards categories and criteria have evolved over the years, to accurately reflect the range of facilities, trainers and services, big and small across NZ.