PHIT America, the non-profit education and advocacy organization designed to combat the inactivity and obesity crisis, announced the official launch of the Mayors Fitness Challenge (MFC), a 10-week health and wellness grassroots campaign designed to encourage community interaction through fitness and educational programs.
Beta tested in New Smyrna Beach, Florida in 2010, MFC initiates weight loss and promotes active lifestyles through group fitness activities. Citizens participate in complimentary or reduced-rate exercise classes and regular weigh-ins to track overall progress. The 110 individuals who finished the challenge in 2011 lost an average of 15.5 pounds and learned valuable lessons to maintain a dynamic routine.
“Each year, we’ve seen increased support via participation and sponsorship from local businesses as well as an economic boost to the community,” said New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer. “Every mayor should look at this program for their city revenues from registration fees and sponsors have always covered costs, making the Challenge a win-win for everyone involved.”
PHIT America provides city leaders support materials at no cost including an activation timeline, website templates, clinicians and speakers, online registration tools through the ACTIVE Network and personal wellness accounts by Total Health Interactive. Some of the other PHIT America sponsors which are offering products, services, and clinicians to cities include ACE Fitness, ACSM, A4, ACCUSPLIT, TIA, and the USTA.
MFC introduces participants to area gyms and sporting goods retailers while taking advantage of the city’s natural resources for outdoor activities such as boot camps. At the conclusion of the program, the weight-loss percentage for each participating city is posted on PHIT America’s website.
“Health care costs related to inactivity and obesity are climbing at an alarming rate and the Mayors Fitness Challenge helps reduce expenses by getting people in communities more active, fit and healthy,” said Jim Baugh, founder of PHIT America, former president of Wilson Sporting Goods and a 2011 inductee into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame. “The World Health Organization recently reported that an investment of $1 in physical activity leads to $3.20 in medical costs savings in the United States.”
The national launch of the MFC will be announced at the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida on August 16.
Sports & fitness industry companies and organizations interested in the Mayors Fitness Challenge or supplying products, services or clinicians to MFC cities should contact PHIT America at Alliance@PHITAmerica.org.
For more info on MFC or to register a city, visit www.MayorsFitnessChallenge.org.
