Approval of the fittest
A Nelson fitness professional has scored a prestigious national award for her energetic classes.
Debby Callaghan won the Group Exercise Pre-Choreographed Instructor of the Year award for her work at City Fitness in Nelson.
‘‘It was exciting because it’s a big award in the industry,’’ she said.
She was presented with the honour at the annual Exercise Industry Awards in Auckland.
Callaghan is in charge of programming for 15 clubs as the regional group fitness manager at City Fitness, but also teaches classes.
She was nominated for the award by a colleague at City Fitness.
Callaghan had to go through three stages of judging to make it to the finals. Four of the individual categories also had a live judging round.
Callaghan has worked in the fitness industry for the past 25 years.
‘‘I’ve always taught classes, that’s just something I did when I was at school and just as an aside thing.
‘‘In those days it really was aerobics and leotards, jeepers.’’
She said she had always loved her work.
‘‘I’ve done it a long time. For me, I just really enjoy it, I enjoy people, the staff you work with and the people in your classes are cool.’’
The Exercise Industry Awards have been running since 2005.