Fun and Fitness: Flex your muscles at the annual Strength Challenge
It is time for you to show your
inner HULK! This year's Strength
Challenge promises to be one of the
best, if not THE best. Fitness 101's
Strength Challenge has been an
ongoing event since the late 90s.
This time around, it has been completely
revamped into a new format
that will attract more interest and
allow individuals of varying weight
and strength to be able to compete.
The biggest and best improvement we've made this year is the exercise tests themselves. We've incorporated some more endurance-based exercises that will be sure to test each contestant's general ability in terms of resistance training. We now have a timed plank exercising combining a stability ball and dumbbell hold: the longer the hold, the more points rewarded. There is now a push-up test and in order to achieve 10 points: males have to do 55 in one minute, and females have to do 40 (modified) in one minute. We have also brought back the pull-ups — males performing 25 in 30 seconds will receive 10 points as will females performing five using their own body weight. Females may use weight assistance as well but will not receive full points.
But what is a Strength Challenge without our trademark strength tests? The bench press and leg press have returned with an update. Males will receive full points for benching 1.6 times their body weight for five reps. Females will achieve the same treatment if they can perform five reps at 1.2 times their body weight on the Smith machine. The leg press will demand 10 reps at four times their body weight for males and 10 reps at 3.2 times their body weight for females.
Another very important change is the method of categorizing weight classes. A middleweight division has been added to ensure there is not a significant disparity among the groups. Lightweight men and women will be less than 165 and 135 pounds, respectively. Middleweight men and women will be between 166 and 195 and 136 and 165 pounds, respectively. And heavyweight men and women will be greater than 195 and 166 pounds, respectively.
The Strength Challenge will be taking place on November 24 and 25. You simply pay $5 if you are a member, or $10 if you are a nonmember and sign up for a time spot that suits you. There will be plenty of prizes and giveaways from our sponsors including Dr. Dre headphones. If you have any further questions, just stop by the J building front desk.
The biggest and best improvement we've made this year is the exercise tests themselves. We've incorporated some more endurance-based exercises that will be sure to test each contestant's general ability in terms of resistance training. We now have a timed plank exercising combining a stability ball and dumbbell hold: the longer the hold, the more points rewarded. There is now a push-up test and in order to achieve 10 points: males have to do 55 in one minute, and females have to do 40 (modified) in one minute. We have also brought back the pull-ups — males performing 25 in 30 seconds will receive 10 points as will females performing five using their own body weight. Females may use weight assistance as well but will not receive full points.
But what is a Strength Challenge without our trademark strength tests? The bench press and leg press have returned with an update. Males will receive full points for benching 1.6 times their body weight for five reps. Females will achieve the same treatment if they can perform five reps at 1.2 times their body weight on the Smith machine. The leg press will demand 10 reps at four times their body weight for males and 10 reps at 3.2 times their body weight for females.
Another very important change is the method of categorizing weight classes. A middleweight division has been added to ensure there is not a significant disparity among the groups. Lightweight men and women will be less than 165 and 135 pounds, respectively. Middleweight men and women will be between 166 and 195 and 136 and 165 pounds, respectively. And heavyweight men and women will be greater than 195 and 166 pounds, respectively.
The Strength Challenge will be taking place on November 24 and 25. You simply pay $5 if you are a member, or $10 if you are a nonmember and sign up for a time spot that suits you. There will be plenty of prizes and giveaways from our sponsors including Dr. Dre headphones. If you have any further questions, just stop by the J building front desk.
