Auckland - To help new
recruits get ‘Force-Fit’ in preparation for the entry level fitness test, the
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and Saatchi & Saatchi have come up with an
innovative mobile app packed with training expertise from the armed forces.
The app will also
be made available to the public as a free download for both Android, iPhone and
in PDF form.
The NZDF is by necessity, one of the
country’s fittest organisations. Despite
excellent fitness levels amongst the active members of the armed forces,
recruiters around the country have observed a growing number of young New
Zealanders, interested in joining the NZDF, not achieving the entry level
fitness test.
“Fitness
is a really important issue for us,” says the Chief of Defence Force,
Lieutenant General (LT Gen) Tim Keating. “On any given day our people might be
asked to push themselves and their equipment to their very limits as they respond to a crisis or catastrophe at home or abroad. So it’s something we take seriously and we make sure our people have the
support they need to help keep them in top condition.”
“Defence
Force personnel are passionate about New Zealand, that’s why they have
committed to doing the extraordinary task of serving and working to keep New Zealand
secure. We can see that keeping fit and staying
healthy is a growing struggle for many New Zealanders, so we felt an obligation
to do something that would not only help prepare our recruits, but could also
inspire the whole country to join us in making fitness their mission,” says LT
GEN Keating.
The
‘Force Fit’ app’s six week programme will help new NZDF recruit candidates get
ready to take their initial fitness tests to join the Navy, Army or Air Force. It will also provide support to anyone wanting to improve
their fitness levels and get into a good routine. The app is simple to use and
is suitable for any fitness level. Best of all, it doesn’t require any
expensive equipment or even a gym membership. It offers a back to
basics, simple approach that the NZDF use every day to keep their force fit,
and now, it’s accessible to all New Zealanders.
Slade Gill, Saatchi &
Saatchi New Zealand’s Creative Director on the new campaign, commented, “It
was important to present the Force Fit app in a way that stayed well clear of
military stereotypes – boot camps, drills and all that 'no pain no gain'
rubbish. This is about a modern, forward-thinking Defence Force sharing their
fitness expertise with everyday Kiwis… and doing it in an inclusive, accessible
way.”
As
part of NZDF’s ongoing ‘Force-Fit’ campaign, a launch video clip, bus adshels,
outdoor exercise events and ambient signage will also be appearing around the
country from today to help encourage the nation to get outdoors and get active,
with the support of the app. NZDF Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) will
also be on hand at the Fidelity Life Corporate
Challenge series of events taking place in
Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland this month.
Download the ‘Force-Fit’ app on Google play or App Store.
Watch the “Ambush”
launch video clip.