PHIT America Announces National Launch of Mayors Fitness Challenge
A Fun 10-Week Health and Wellness Campaign to Fight Nation’s Obesity, Inactivity Crisis
(JUPITER, Fla.) – PHIT America – the non-profit education and advocacy organization designed to combat the obesity and inactivity crisis – announces the national launch of the Mayors Fitness Challenge (MFC), a 10-week campaign designed to encourage a fit and active lifestyle through group exercise sessions, educational programs and community engagement.
Initiating weight loss through exercise, the MFC entices citizens to participate in complimentary or reduced-rate fitness classes and regular weigh-ins to track overall progress in a friendly, competitive atmosphere. Beta tested in New Smyrna Beach, Florida since 2011, the inaugural 110 individuals who completed the challenge lost an average of 15.5 pounds the first year and 19.8 pounds in 2012.
Government leaders will be introduced to the program on Friday, August 16 at the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference. Cities from all parts of the USA are expected to join the Mayors Fitness Challenge as inactivity, obesity and the related healthcare costs are nationwide issues.
“This fun, 10-week program of organized fitness and health activities is the ideal way for a city to help residents jump-start their personal fitness programs,” says New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer. “Each year, we’ve seen increased support via participation and sponsorship from local businesses as well as an economic boost to the community, making the Challenge a win-win for everyone involved.”
The MFC introduces participants to area gyms and fitness classes while taking advantage of the city’s natural resources for outdoor activities such as boot camps. Local sponsors are enlisted to support community recreation programs and offset costs to the city and residents.
“The statistics are astounding – 192 million Americans are not active to healthy standards and 68 percent of the total population are either obese or overweight,” says 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 Mayors Fitness Challenge encourages people to get more active and fit while participating in group classes or team sports – an easy and enjoyable solution to these issues.”
The goal of the challenge is to inspire people to adopt an active lifestyle year round, not only during the 10 weeks of the program. PHIT America encourages residents to contact their city leaders to implement the program in cities across the country.
The MFC is utilizing the knowledge and support of many top companies from the sports and fitness industry. PHIT America founding sponsors include Dick's Sporting Goods, Sears, the ACTIVE Network, the America College of Sports Medicine, National Sporting Goods Association, Sports & Fitness Industry Association, United States Tennis Association, Midtown Athletic Clubs and Didgebridge. More than130 companies and organizations support the mission to create “A Movement for a Fit & Healthy America.”
Track the success of participating areas by following @PHITAmerica and #MayorsFC on Twitter.
Want to learn more about PHIT America or implement the Mayors Fitness Challenge in your city? Visit www.PHITAmerica.org or www.MayorsFitnessChallenge.org.
About PHIT America
Founded in January 2013, PHIT America and its 130-plus sponsors are responding to the inactivity and obesity crisis by leading “A Movement for a Fit and Healthy America.” PHIT America promotes grass-roots fitness and sports initiatives, including development of high-quality physical education (PE) programs in schools. Recent Physical Activity Council research shows children in PE are three to four times more likely to be active outside of school.
PHIT America also supports two vital pieces of legislation, which will increase the number of fit and healthy Americans:
• Personal Health Investment Today Act (PHIT) – When passed, Americans will be able to use pre-tax medical accounts for physical activity expenses.
• Physical Education Program (PEP) – An 11-year program supports local physical education programs throughout America.
Both the PHIT Act and PEP Program will help mitigate rising health care costs by causing Americans to develop more active lifestyles.
More information: www.PHITAmerica.org.
###
Glenn Gray
Buffalo Communications
540.718.1731
ggray@buffalocommunications.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
@buffalocomm
A Fun 10-Week Health and Wellness Campaign to Fight Nation’s Obesity, Inactivity Crisis
(JUPITER, Fla.) – PHIT America – the non-profit education and advocacy organization designed to combat the obesity and inactivity crisis – announces the national launch of the Mayors Fitness Challenge (MFC), a 10-week campaign designed to encourage a fit and active lifestyle through group exercise sessions, educational programs and community engagement.
Initiating weight loss through exercise, the MFC entices citizens to participate in complimentary or reduced-rate fitness classes and regular weigh-ins to track overall progress in a friendly, competitive atmosphere. Beta tested in New Smyrna Beach, Florida since 2011, the inaugural 110 individuals who completed the challenge lost an average of 15.5 pounds the first year and 19.8 pounds in 2012.
Government leaders will be introduced to the program on Friday, August 16 at the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference. Cities from all parts of the USA are expected to join the Mayors Fitness Challenge as inactivity, obesity and the related healthcare costs are nationwide issues.
“This fun, 10-week program of organized fitness and health activities is the ideal way for a city to help residents jump-start their personal fitness programs,” says New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer. “Each year, we’ve seen increased support via participation and sponsorship from local businesses as well as an economic boost to the community, making the Challenge a win-win for everyone involved.”
The MFC introduces participants to area gyms and fitness classes while taking advantage of the city’s natural resources for outdoor activities such as boot camps. Local sponsors are enlisted to support community recreation programs and offset costs to the city and residents.
“The statistics are astounding – 192 million Americans are not active to healthy standards and 68 percent of the total population are either obese or overweight,” says 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 Mayors Fitness Challenge encourages people to get more active and fit while participating in group classes or team sports – an easy and enjoyable solution to these issues.”
The goal of the challenge is to inspire people to adopt an active lifestyle year round, not only during the 10 weeks of the program. PHIT America encourages residents to contact their city leaders to implement the program in cities across the country.
The MFC is utilizing the knowledge and support of many top companies from the sports and fitness industry. PHIT America founding sponsors include Dick's Sporting Goods, Sears, the ACTIVE Network, the America College of Sports Medicine, National Sporting Goods Association, Sports & Fitness Industry Association, United States Tennis Association, Midtown Athletic Clubs and Didgebridge. More than130 companies and organizations support the mission to create “A Movement for a Fit & Healthy America.”
Track the success of participating areas by following @PHITAmerica and #MayorsFC on Twitter.
Want to learn more about PHIT America or implement the Mayors Fitness Challenge in your city? Visit www.PHITAmerica.org or www.MayorsFitnessChallenge.org.
About PHIT America
Founded in January 2013, PHIT America and its 130-plus sponsors are responding to the inactivity and obesity crisis by leading “A Movement for a Fit and Healthy America.” PHIT America promotes grass-roots fitness and sports initiatives, including development of high-quality physical education (PE) programs in schools. Recent Physical Activity Council research shows children in PE are three to four times more likely to be active outside of school.
PHIT America also supports two vital pieces of legislation, which will increase the number of fit and healthy Americans:
• Personal Health Investment Today Act (PHIT) – When passed, Americans will be able to use pre-tax medical accounts for physical activity expenses.
• Physical Education Program (PEP) – An 11-year program supports local physical education programs throughout America.
Both the PHIT Act and PEP Program will help mitigate rising health care costs by causing Americans to develop more active lifestyles.
More information: www.PHITAmerica.org.
###
Glenn Gray
Buffalo Communications
540.718.1731
ggray@buffalocommunications.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
@buffalocomm