ACC urges New Zealanders to enjoy exercise without injury
Mindful that many New Zealanders will have pledged to make exercise a bigger part of their lives in 2013, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has launched ActiveSmart a website that provides free, customised training advice for everyone from beginners just getting back into physical activity, to serious multisport and marathon competitors.
With the aim of helping the active and newly active avoid injury, ActiveSmart provides information to keep exercise programmes on track.
ACC Programme Manager Sport, Isaac Carlson explains "many people who've been spending a bit too much time on the couch make the mistake of throwing themselves back into exercise without the right preparation.
"That can end up backfiring, because if you injure yourself - say because you didn't warm up properly - you could end up heading straight back to the very couch youre trying to get away from."
Carlson says ActiveSmart contains a range of tools and information, from personally tailored fitness plans to warm-up and cool-down exercises, and even weather forecasts for an area, so exercisers can plan their training around conditions on the day.
He adds "in a way, ActiveSmart is like having your own personal, online trainer.
"It asks you a range of questions to find out what level of exercise is right and safe for you. Then it gives you a specific programme to follow, aimed at meeting your individual fitness goals."
ActiveSmart caters for a range of popular fitness activities, including running, walking and cycling.
He concludes "the advice on ActiveSmart has been provided by leading New Zealand fitness professionals.
"So you can be assured you're getting a training plan that's up there with the best."
For more information go to www.activesmart.co.nz
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