THERE’S a new challenge at Middlesbrough Sports Village – and state-of-the-art gym equipment is up for grabs for a good cause.
Those taking part can shed a few pounds while competing with fellow exercise fans up and down the country.
Let’s Move for a Better World is run by the centre’s equipment supplier Technogym as part of the global fight against obesity and sedentary lifestyles.
The nationwide campaign – from Tuesday, March 1 to Saturday, March 19 – will see the facility’s ranking determined by the total number of MOVEs, Technogym’s unit of measurement for physical activity.
And this week elite Teesside sprinter Richard Kilty dropped in at the Sports Village to get the challenge under way, and donate a few MOVEs.
MOVEs collected by members training on Technogym cardio and strength equipment connected to the mywellness® cloud will be totted up, with the three highest scoring centres getting the chance to donate Technogym equipment to a local good cause.
Equipment worth nearly £8,000 is up for grabs – if Middlesbrough Sports Village emerges in the top three, local charity Lifeline is set to benefit.
There will also be daily and weekly prizes up for grabs – gym passes for friends, T-shirts, sweat bands, head bands, glasses and more – as well as an award for the best MOVES overall in the challenge.
The centre is hoping to follow in the footsteps of other local successes, with Darlington’s Dolphin Centre only narrowly pipped to the top spot last year by Bolton’s Reebok Stadium.
Councillor Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: “We’re all aware of the need to lead more active lives and combat obesity, and there’s no better place to do that than Middlesbrough Sports Village.
“The Let’s Move for a Better World challenge is a great way to combine exercise with a bit of healthy competition and a chance for a local good cause to benefit.
“I’m sure the whole community will get involved – let’s get those MOVEs rolling in.”
Throughout the campaign, check out the Challenge Venue Leaderboard at http://www.mywellness.com/sportsvillage/challenges/615b5343-5fb2-4b45-9ba9-bed558cd565c
Regular updates will be posted on social media – why not join in the fun and use the global hashtag #LetsMoveforaBetterWorld