Wellness Challenge begins Feb. 15

Published 11:06 am Monday, February 6, 2017

More than a dozen organizations are teaming up to once again offer a variety of free fitness classes, wellness workshops, health resources and discounts, along with the chance to win prizes.

Clark County Activity Coalition’s Wellness Challenge kicks off Feb. 15.

Sign ups for the challenge, which has had 250-350 participants in recent years, are at one of four weigh-in locations Wednesday, Feb. 15, and Wednesday, Feb. 22.

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Cost for participation is $10, which includes access to a wide variety of free classes and resources.

Throughout the 12-week challenge, participants will weigh-in every Wednesday at their original sign-up location. Locations include Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation, Clark Clinic Medical Plaza Center for Rehabilitation or the Clark County Health Department.

Participation is open to anyone 12 years or older, and is not limited to Clark County residents, said Deborah Jackson, Activity Coalition member and programming and marketing director for Winchester-Clark County Parks and Recreation.

“We have a lot of people who come from surrounding communities to find wellness opportunities in Clark County,” Jackson said. “So, this challenge is really open to anyone who wants to participate.”

Jackson said putting the challenge on requires a lot of community investment, with about 20 different agencies, businesses and organizations offering something for participants.

“We have many participation organizations,” Jackson said. “From restaurants, to health groups, fitness venues and doctors. That’s why it’s called the Clark County Wellness Challenge — there is county-wide support for the challenge.”

Jackson said examples of things included in the challenge are free access to particular group fitness classes at College Park gym, free classes at The OM Place, CrossFit Strode Station, Dance2Fit and The Barre: A Fitness Boutique; discount punch cards at Grace Coffee Cafe and Bakery, Full Circle Market, Cairn Coffee House and Gaunce’s Deli and Cafe; classes on modifying exercise because of an injury, using journaling to boost wellness success, making smoothies, cooking for wellness and much more.

“There will be a lot of health wellness sessions and nutritional and educational workshops,” Jackson said. “Beyond that, we will have free bike rides, free guided-walks, grocery store tours at Kroger and Full Circle Market. There’s a lot going on.”

Jackson said the challenge fee gives full access to everything in the challenge booklet, which can be found on ccactivitycoalition.com/wellness-challenge. Additionally, challenge participants can sign up for $50 three-month membership for full access to the facility at College Park.

“That deal is only for people who don’t have a current membership,” Jackson said. “At regular price, a single membership would be $37.50 a month, so you’re getting a membership at basically half-price.

“The whole challenge is really a great a deal because the cost of a single class for some of the things offered is about the same as the whole challenge.”

Challenge participants also get a discount on registration fees for the annual Run for the Paws 5K, which benefits the Clark County Animal Shelter.

“The challenge pretty much pays for itself, and then any profit from the challenge goes back to the Activity Coalition which is then used to fund wellness improvements in the community,” Jackson said.

Prizes will be given to the top three males and top three females based on percentage of body weight lost. Prizes include an annual membership to Parks and Rec, gift cards and activity trackers.

The final weigh in is May 10 and winners will be announced at the Clark Regional Medical Center 100th Anniversary celebration and health fair May 13. There will also be prize drawings for participants who are present at the finale.

To be eligible for prizes or to win the challenge, participants must weigh in at least nine times and participate in at least five classes.

“This is a challenge, but it also shows an investment in our entire community,” Jackson said. “There’s a lot of excitement about the challenge, but it also highlights the many wellness opportunities in our community. We hope the challenge will get people interested by trying new things. In doing this we hope and expect that will also continue supporting the organizations involved.”

Updates about classes and other information about the challenge will be posted on the Clark County Activity Coalition’s Facebook page.

About Whitney Leggett

Whitney Leggett is managing editor of The Winchester Sun and Winchester Living magazine. To contact her, email whitney.leggett@winchestersun.com or call 859-759-0049.

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