Get active the smart way for January's NZ Masters Games

Athletes wanting help to get into peak condition for upcoming 20th ACC New Zealand Masters Games should remember that free expert help is available online.

As well as offering free fitness and nutrition advice, ActiveSmart – a web-based fitness programme – creates a training schedule tailored to an individual’s needs and abilities. After 20 months in operation, the website now has 31,500 members.

``ActiveSmart is a great way for Masters Games athletes to use these last few weeks before the competition to make sure they’re at the top of their game,’’ said ACC’s CEO Dr Jan White. Dr White will be opening the Masters Games in Wanganui on January 30, where seven thousand New Zealanders will compete.

``But of course ActiveSmart is open to anyone who’s looking for advice and encouragement on getting fit and active. It was designed by top New Zealand fitness trainers so is safe for people of all abilities and fitness levels,’’ Dr White said.

ACC set up ActiveSmart in April 2007 in association with the Ministry of Health, SPARC, Fitness New Zealand, the Heart Foundation and the Cancer Society.

Members sign up then answer questions about their health before choosing what kind of plan they’d like. The site offers plans for running, walking and cycling, with separate skiing, soccer, and netball fitness plans at sister sites. 

ActiveSmart also includes diagrams and videos of training techniques, email reminders, a regional events calendar and a five day weather forecast. The site was recognised at the Webby Awards earlier this year.

``ActiveSmart is a great way for New Zealanders to get fit for summer, especially if they’re getting back into sports. The site is focused on preventing sporting injuries so it provides excellent advice about how to get back into activity after a break, or how to increase your amount of activity safely. It’s particularly useful if you have a goal in mind, such as the Masters Games,’’ Dr White said.

ACC figures record that nearly 26,500 New Zealanders were moderately to seriously injured playing sport in the 2007-08 financial year. The ACC New Zealand Masters Games run in Wanganui from Jan 30 – Feb 8.

Go to www.nzmg.com for more information about the games. To create your own fitness programme go to www.activesmart.co.nz.