Gym Fitness Challenge Help

Echo_Dawn

Hi All,

My gym has a 3-month fitness challenge coming up that I'd like to get involved in. I think it's just the kind of kickstart that I need to make real change and I'm really looking forward to it. The problem is that in order to participate you're required to pay for 40 personal training sessions over the course of the challenge... which can get a little pricey.

I can afford about half of the training out of pocket, but would need to do some sort of fund raising on the side in order to take part. I have a full time job, and a few part-time jobs on the side, but it's still going to be tough scraping together for these sessions. In the end, I definitely think it will be worth it.

Anyway, I've seen a few projects on sites like GoFundMe for people raising money for similar challenges, and I'd like to do something similar, but I'd also like to offer something in return. If I were to set up a page like this, what (if anything) would pique your interest to donate? I was thinking that with a $5-10 donation, I could send email updates with the workouts and meal plans the trainer is providing me-- I figure that if you're helping me get the training sessions, you should at least benefit from them too.

Thanks in advance for any feedback in advance! (Feel free to tell me this is a stupid idea, too... just be nice about it)

Safiyandi

Having to buy that many sessions sounds kind of scummy just to participate in a challenge. 40 sessions? Man. You'd think they want to encourage people to participate to get healthier, not to make money for the gym!

I don't know anything about GoFundMe, but what about finding folks to get involved with a challenge where you work or something? No money involved, just group motivation and bragging rights if you keep at it.

AJ_G

I'm sorry, but having to pay for 40 personal training sessions to participate in a challenge is absurd. These days with all the knowledge there is on the internet, and all the youtube videos there are on correct form in the gym, you do not need a personal trainer if you're willing to do the research on your own. Please save your money and don't use it on this. You can achieve the exact same results if not better by doing it on your own.

Echo_Dawn

You're not at all wrong, it's kind of ridiculous to have to pay for so much to participate. Part of it is because there's a big cash prize for the winner, but it's a challenge across the entire chain, so I'm sure I wouldn't even be in the running.

There's tons of information online, but my real problem is motivation and accountability. I've tried doing it on my own more times than I can count, with all kinds of different strategies. I do think that having a trainer (if even for 10 sessions across a month, for example) would give me that extra level of accountability and help that watching a youtube video really can't. Unfortunately my office is pretty small (and fit, with the exception of yours truly), so group motivation isn't much help.

Thanks so much for the feedback, I really do appreciate it even though I'm being a bit of a downer. I've been trying to weigh the idea of doing the challenge anyway, and it's helpful to have other peoples' thoughts!

juliehhallberg

My gym just did a 3 month challenge and we had to do SIX sessions. 40 is outrageous! With that being said, challenges are FANTASTIC motivation (I've done two). If you have caring friends and family who are invested in your success, then that should be their reason to want to donate and help you to meet your goals. I do think that sending updates or doing a blog or something so that contributors can follow your progress would also be a great motivator. Nothing like being accountable to help things along!

Best of luck to you.

Poofy_Goodness

That just seems like a cheap ploy to sell PT sessions.

if you like challenges there are plenty of challenge groups on MFP. Do a search. Save your money!