Active Workplaces

BNZ Workplace Challenge

The BNZ Workplace challenge is a five week challenge to get you and your workplace moving!

Since 2010 it has been held annually, starting in November - so keep an eye out for team registrations opening closer to the time!

The challenge is for all ages and fitness levels and is based on clocking up minutes of physical activity on a wall chart for each of the five weeks.

Throughout the challenge teams have the opportunity to take part in a number of sports and activities and also the chance to win heaps of great prizes!

There are three different categories so the competition is fair for everyone taking part:

Active at Work: Teams from workplaces that are active for more than 2 hours of the day e.g. couriers, personal trainers. Please note minutes spent active at work don’t count.

Office/Car Based: Teams from workplaces that are based at their desk or in a car, driving most of the day

Small Business:
Business that have less than 5 employees.

Why get Active?

Being involved in sport and recreation and living an active lifestyle has many benefits, including helping to:

1. Maintain a healthy weight,
2. Build and maintain healthy bone density,
3. Build muscle strength,
4. Improve joint mobility,
5. Strengthen the immune system.

Frequent and regular aerobic exercise has been shown to help prevent or treat serious and life-threatening chronic conditions such as:

• high blood pressure,
• obesity,
• heart disease,
• Type 2 diabetes,
• insomnia,
• depression
• Plus, being involved in a sport leads to new friendships and social opportunities – and it gives you some fresh challenges.

What are the rules?

1. For the purpose of counting minutes for the Workplace Challenge, “physical activity or exercise” is defined as “any recognised sport and/or any activity done at a level that increases your heart rate and/increases your breathing rate and is done for at least 5 minutes.” For the Active at Work category, minutes spent active at work don’t count.

2. Active Transport trips include trips where you would normally use your car. Aim for at least 10-15 mins or more, not just a short walk around the block.

3. Teams can consist of 5 people only (if your business has less than 5 people you can enter in the Small Business Category)

4. Honesty is essential for this competition to work. Please be honest and show the integrity that reflects your business practice when recording your minutes.

5. Team's' total weekly minutes need to be entered online every Monday by 1pm. (To input minutes go to www.sportsouthland.co.nz). Weekly totals need to include activity done from Monday to Sunday.

6. If there is any evidence of cheating your entire organisation will be disqualified.

If you would like any more info on our Active Lifestlyes programme and how Sport Southland can help your work place become more active please contact:

Active Adults