Y Survive starts today! It is a friendly competition going on during February and March at my gym, YMCA Calgary. When the e-mail announcing this years games graced my inbox a month ago, I knew I’d be signing up. Competition? FITNESS competition? Yep, sounds like something I’ll be participating in.
Roughly 100 members at my branch were divided up into eight teams, or tribes, in which we’ll compete for points by time logged working out. For every five minutes of activity you earn one point, and at the end of the games we need at least 500 points in all four areas (cardio, strength and conditioning, group fitness, and aquatics). Activity must take place at the YMCA, either in the building or starting and finishing at the branch (e.g. if you go for a run outside). All points are logged through Fitlinxx on the machines, the terminal, or online. Each week there are special Y Survive activities (group fitness classes and extra things around the branches) and opportunities to earn bonus points.
What does Y Survive mean for me? I’m pretty active as is, so I guess the question is how is this going to get me to do more? Admittedly, I haven’t been doing as much at the gym as I'd like to be. I go through periods of time in which I am pretty much a cardio queen to only wanting to lift weights. Currently, I’m in a cardio-only groove and have been for quite a few months. Since school started, I’ve only been going to the gym 4-5 times a week for 30 minutes each day. It’s not bad and I imagine it’s more than a lot of people do, but I know that I am capable of doing more. I have done more. I would like to start running again, although reluctantly it will have to be on the treadmill for at least another month (It's still too cold, too icy). I’d also like to start biking a little bit indoors and rowing. I just need to switch things up where cardio is involved. I also need to start lifting weights again.
My weaknesses in Y Survive will be the aquatics and group fitness aspects. I haven’t been swimming in a very long time and have no desire to, so I won’t be earning any points there. As far as group fitness goes, I am much more of a lone wolf when it comes to working out. I blast my tunes, get into a zone and prefer to be left alone. My mum teaches a spin class that she has been trying to get me to go to for so many years, so maybe I’ll convince one of my buds to go to that with me. Group fitness is way out of my comfort zone, but I suppose it’s worth giving a try.
While I was initially drawn to Y Survive because of it's competitive nature, it's also a great way to build community within the branch. During peak hours, there are a lot of regulars on the weight floor. There are always folks chatting away with both the other members and staff. What I really do love about the Y (besides the great equipment and the fact that I pretty much grew up there...) is that feeling of togetherness. There is definitely a strong sense of community, and I think that Y Survive will only help to enforce it. Yes, we will be competing against the other teams, but that doesn't mean that we won't encourage them along the way. Y Survive is a great conversation starter and also an excellent motivator.
Well, it's February now. We're alreadytwo a month into 2013, and I'm sure at this point the fitness new years resolutions are starting to dwindle. I'll be participating in Y Survive to keep me motivated. What are you doing to keep yourself going? For those who are participating in Y Survive, let the games begin. Will you survive?
Roughly 100 members at my branch were divided up into eight teams, or tribes, in which we’ll compete for points by time logged working out. For every five minutes of activity you earn one point, and at the end of the games we need at least 500 points in all four areas (cardio, strength and conditioning, group fitness, and aquatics). Activity must take place at the YMCA, either in the building or starting and finishing at the branch (e.g. if you go for a run outside). All points are logged through Fitlinxx on the machines, the terminal, or online. Each week there are special Y Survive activities (group fitness classes and extra things around the branches) and opportunities to earn bonus points.
What does Y Survive mean for me? I’m pretty active as is, so I guess the question is how is this going to get me to do more? Admittedly, I haven’t been doing as much at the gym as I'd like to be. I go through periods of time in which I am pretty much a cardio queen to only wanting to lift weights. Currently, I’m in a cardio-only groove and have been for quite a few months. Since school started, I’ve only been going to the gym 4-5 times a week for 30 minutes each day. It’s not bad and I imagine it’s more than a lot of people do, but I know that I am capable of doing more. I have done more. I would like to start running again, although reluctantly it will have to be on the treadmill for at least another month (It's still too cold, too icy). I’d also like to start biking a little bit indoors and rowing. I just need to switch things up where cardio is involved. I also need to start lifting weights again.
My weaknesses in Y Survive will be the aquatics and group fitness aspects. I haven’t been swimming in a very long time and have no desire to, so I won’t be earning any points there. As far as group fitness goes, I am much more of a lone wolf when it comes to working out. I blast my tunes, get into a zone and prefer to be left alone. My mum teaches a spin class that she has been trying to get me to go to for so many years, so maybe I’ll convince one of my buds to go to that with me. Group fitness is way out of my comfort zone, but I suppose it’s worth giving a try.
While I was initially drawn to Y Survive because of it's competitive nature, it's also a great way to build community within the branch. During peak hours, there are a lot of regulars on the weight floor. There are always folks chatting away with both the other members and staff. What I really do love about the Y (besides the great equipment and the fact that I pretty much grew up there...) is that feeling of togetherness. There is definitely a strong sense of community, and I think that Y Survive will only help to enforce it. Yes, we will be competing against the other teams, but that doesn't mean that we won't encourage them along the way. Y Survive is a great conversation starter and also an excellent motivator.
Well, it's February now. We're already
We are actually only 1 month into 2013!
ReplyDeleteThanks...
DeleteThat sounds awesome!!
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