Michigan Tech’s SWEAT Program recently launched a new challenge, Lucky 7, to university employees. Employees were asked to form 4-7 member teams and tackle a 7 week series of exercise challenges. SWEAT Program Coordinator, Shannon Brodeur, explains more:
“The SWEAT Lucky 7 Challenge is based on the idea that variety and social support are key elements of exercise adherence. The goal of the challenge is to have teams of up to seven employees inspire and support each other to complete a variety of cardio exercises with the goal of making it a regular habit. Each week, teams are provided a list of 7 cardio exercises, from hula hooping to salsa dancing to playing kickball. Each exercise must be completed by at least one team member during that week to earn bonus tokens. Along the way, team members may earn additional tokens by completing any cardio activity of their choice. Incentive prizes are given out randomly each week with a grand prize given to each of the winning team members at the end of the challenge.”
The challenge was accepted by 16 teams of over 100 employees.
At five weeks into the challenge, SWEAT Lucky 7 participants have voiced that the challenge’s goal has been met and that they are not ready to let up. “I had several employees stop at the SWEAT table [Health Fair] to tell me how much exercise they have been getting in because of the challenge.” said Brodeur.
The competition has also peaked. Two Human Resources teams set aside a lunch hour, competing against each other in a game of kickball. Both teams earned their weekly challenge point, but only one left the game with bragging rights. Another Lucky 7 member organize a dodgeball challenge for interested participants and their family members earlier this week at the Houghton Elementary gym. Pictures of each of these challenges are below.
The SWEAT Lucky 7 Challenge will conclude on November 23rd and the winning teams will be announced the following week.
