UW Extension Initiates Team-Based Fitness Health Competition May 2

A free eight-week, team-based health program to increase physical activity and improve eating habits launches Saturday, May 2.

Registration for FitEx is open now through Friday, May 1.

“With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting all of our lives, FitEx is a great program to help connect us virtually to our family, friends, co-workers and teammates through healthy competition,” says Denise Smith, University of Wyoming Extension educator.

To register, visit http://fitex1.cs.vt.edu/#/register and select your county. Participants can create a team of five -- friends, family or co-workers -- and select a team captain and name.

Smith says she can be contacted if someone would like to compete but can’t find enough members for a team of five.

Participants set goals for how many miles a team will finish in eight weeks. A FitEx mile is equal to 1 mile of walking or running or any 15-minute bout of moderate physical activity such as an aerobics class. Participants also will set goals for how many cups of fruits and vegetables they will eat during the eight weeks.

Sign in to FitEx at www.fit-ex.org starting May 2 to log the number of miles and cups of fruits and vegetables eaten every day or once a week.

Teams can view the FitEx tracking charts to monitor progress toward their goals and see comparisons to other teams across Wyoming.

“The team environment and the online tracking help participants achieve their goals throughout the eight-week competition,” Smith says.

Facebook posts, newsletters, feedback, competition for motivation and prizes for the winning team are part of the program, Smith adds.

If you have questions about safe and appropriate activities for you and/or your team members, speak with a health care provider. Email the research team at program@fit-ex.org to discuss any needs for yourself or a team member.

For more information about the program, email Smith at desmith@uwyo.edu.