The MaretHouse Fitness Challenge is designed as a
comprehensive lifestyle adjustment support program (or C.L.A.S.P.). The 12-week
program is designed to take a holistic, lifestyle approach, intervening upon
multiple determinates that can affect a participant’s health and well
being. The program focuses on:
- Improving participants’ physical and mental health and
quality of life
- Providing a positive fitness environment and social support safety
net to help participants meet and maintain their fitness goals
- Helping participants identify and develop strategies to overcome
obstacles and barriers they encounter in meeting their personal fitness
and lifestyle goals
Most
importantly, this 12-week program is offered to 6 individuals at NO CHARGE
(over a $2500 value per individual). Brazos
Valley residents that are
interested in the program may print out an application online at www.marethouse.com
or call 979.690.3663 for more information. Applications are accepted from
Dec. 1, 2009 until Jan. 15, 2010 at 5 p.m.. Applications are reviewed
and eligible applicants are interviewed. Ultimately, 6 participants are
selected!
Selected participants are given the opportunity to participate in hourly
personal training sessions three times each week for 12 weeks. Each participant is also paired with a mentor
trainer who:
- Keep tabs on the participants’ progress through the program
- Track the participants’ nutritional intake
- Provide a consistent source of social support to the participant
- Train one-on-one with the participant for three hourly sessions per
week.
Participants are
also given full access to the Aggieland Fitness Dome during the 12-week program
for independent physical activity opportunities outlined by their mentor
trainer. They are asked to keep a food diary of everything they eat during
the program, and the mentor trainer reviews the food diary each week to help
each participant.
Participants are given the opportunity to “connect” with other people seeking
to improve their lifestyles and to share their experiences with the program
through the MaretHouse Fitness website (www.marethouse.com). Each participant has a personalized web-page
featuring a short bio and a log of their progress through the program.
At the end of the 12-week program, a “winner” is chosen to receive prizes worth
over $2500.
How to apply:
If interested in applying to be a contestant for the Fitness Challenge, please
visit our website, www.marethouse.com,
and print off an application. Please follow the instructions on the application
and turn the application in person or by mail to the Marethouse Fitness office
located at the Aggieland Fitness Dome (4050 State HWY 6 South). Good Luck!
How are participants selected?
Applicants are screened on a number of dimensions, including but not limited to:
- Commitment and desire to succeed in meeting their goals
- Personal situation and need for this type of program
- Barriers/obstacles to achieving fitness and lifestyle goals
(including time, physical limitations, chronic illness, need for
motivation and/or accountability, insufficient support network, and/or
knowledge on how to reach one’s goals)
- Availability to participate three times per week in personal
training in addition to supplementary time for independent physical
activity
- Availability of personal transportation
- Willingness and ability to commit to the ENTIRE 12-week program to
change their lives
How are participants’ progress tracked?
Participants’ progress is monitored from the
very start of the program. Before beginning the 12-week program, participants go
through a thorough and personalized fitness and health screening. During this
screening, baseline measurements such as blood pressure, resting heart rate,
body composition, basal metabolic rate (or BMR, a measure of how many calories
your body uses when at rest), and other measurements are collected. At the end
of each week, participants have their blood pressure, resting heart rate,
and body composition measured, giving each participant real-time feedback into
their progress. At the end of the entire program, all of the baseline
measures are repeated.
How is the “Winner” selected?
The winner is chosen on not just their
progress through the program (such as how many pounds lost, were goals
achieved, etc). Commitment to the program is weighed heavily in the
selection process. A point system is used to track participant progress
that included achieving goals, reaching critical benchmarks as the participant
made progress towards their goals, participants following the regimens
developed by their mentor trainers and keeping their food diaries complete.
Measured variables that are evaluated for
selecting a “winner” include but are not limited to:
- Basal metabolic rate improvement
- Blood pressure improvement
- Resting heart rate improvement
- Body composition improvement
- Participation point system
This is a scientifically measurable system that
allowed for health improvement evaluation in a fair manner no matter a
participants age, gender or challenges.
What is the time line of the program?
Dec. 1 – Application process opens
Jan. 15 – All applications must be turned in
by 7 pm
Jan. 16, 17, & 18 – Applications reviewed
Jan. 19 – Committee picks applicants to
interview
Jan. 21, 22 & 25 – Applicant interviews
Jan. 26 – Committee picks contestants
Jan. 30 – Contestant orientation
Feb. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 – Contestant benchmark measurements
Feb. 8 – Fitness Challenge begins (12 weeks)
April 30 – Fitness Challenge ends
May 6 – Committee discusses results of
Fitness Challenge and determines winner
May 8 – Fitness Challenge graduation and
awards ceremony
