Invest In Your Health
Join the Challenge
CHALLENGE Tips off ON MARCH 1st!
ABOUT
Challenge Starts march 1st
Are you ready to get off the sidelines and get into the fitness game? You can win a 3-month membership and 1 month of personal training.
Are you a YMCA Member?
Try the Better You Bracket Challenge at no extra cost! Add on a T-shirt for just $10 to show your team spirit. If you liked the Holiday Trimmings Challenge then you will be a fan of this challenge too! You will compete along with other members to see if you can “win the Championship”! This challenge has a full line-up of ways to stay active and healthy during all the Madness of March.
Not a part of the YMCA Team?
Give it a shot with our Better You Bracket Challenge! For just a $30 entry fee, you will get a full-access membership for the weeks during the challenge and a t-shirt! The challenge will have multiple ways to earn points week after week and will help you say active and healthy all month long! This temporary membership will show you what the Y is all about and why you may want to join our team after the Challenge is over!
Challenge Information
The Game Plan
4 1/2 week health challenge (All March long.)
Challenges is for Members and Non-Members.
Free to members to participate. Show your team spirit with a shirt for $10!
Non-members get the Y for $5/week and a shirt for a total registration fee of $30.
Grand prize: 3-month membership to the Y and 1 month* of personal training.
Points
Challenge Starts march 1st
Free Throw
+1 Point
“One Point” for posting a workout selfie or participating (like/post/share) in the Facebook group (Limit 1 per day)
A JumP Shot
+2 Point
“Two Points” for a 30-minute workout at home or YMCA. This includes in-person and virtual classes.
Three Pointer
+3 Point
“Three Points” for completing each one of the “Bracket Challenges” we have drawn up for you! Scroll Down for Bracket Challenges.
AN ANd One
+1 Point
“One Point” for participating in social responsibility or donation challenge (There will be three opportunities per week).
Accumulate points and advance throughout the Better You Bracket!
50+ Points = Congrats! You are now apart of the Elite 8 and have an entry into the grand prize drawing!
100+ Points = Way to go! Welcome to the Final Four stage of the Bracket Challenge and you earned another entry into the grand prize drawing.
150+ Points =Awesome job! You made it to the Championship Game plus another entry into the grand prize drawing.
220+ Points = MVP! You are a Better You Bracket Challenge Winner! You now have 4 entries into the grand prize drawing!
OVERTIME = Every 50 points over your 220 points will earn you an extra entry into the grand prize drawing!
FAQs
Challenge Starts march 1st
What is the Challenge?
The Better You Bracket Challenge is a four and a half week health challenge that follows along with the NCAA March Madness Basketball Tournament. You don’t have to be a basketball fan to participate.
When is the Challenge?
This challenge begins on March 1st and will last until March 31st (four and a half weeks).
What is the cost?
Members: Joining the challenge is FREE. If you want a t-shirt to show your team spirit, they are just $10! You can win a 3-month membership to the Y and 1 month* of personal training.
Non-Members: Joining the challenge is just $30! You will enjoy all the benefits and access of being a member and a t-shirt! You can win a 3-month membership to the Y and 1 month* of personal training.
Is there a prize? Winner?
You will have a chance to win a 3-month membership to the Y and 1 month* of personal training. (*Personal Training Details: One month; 4 Sessions; 1 session per week; 30 minute)
Points System? How do I keep track of my points?
Keep track of the Facebook posts, workouts, and challenges you complete and add up your points for each week. Once you sign up you will be given a “scorecard” that will help you keep track of all your points for each day and week. (Don’t lose the scorecard- you will not get a new one!) A detailed breakdown of the points will be included on the scorecard and on the yknowyournumbers.com website.
What is the bracket on the wall?
The bracket is where you will put your basketballs at the beginning of the challenge. If you meet the points requirement after a week you may move on to the next round until you get to the championship!
How do I register?
You can do it at the YMCA or online! We will have a packet pickup at Membership Desk (bring photo ID), starting on Feb. 28th. The packet will include your “scorecard”, a basketball for the wall to help you keep track of your progress, and you can ask questions too.
When is Packet Pick-up?
Packet pickup at Membership Desk (bring photo ID), starting on Feb. 28th. The packet will include your “scorecard”, a basketball for the wall to help you keep track of your progress, and you can ask questions too. Also, for non-members this is the time for you to pick up your key tag for the membership.
How do I get a T-shirt?
Members: If you want a t-shirt to show your team spirit, they are just $10!
Non-Members: Joining the challenge is just $35! You will enjoy all the benefits and access of being a member and a t-shirt! You can a 3-month membership to the Y and 1 month of personal training*.
Register before midnight on February 22nd to be GUARANTEED a Better You Bracket T-shirt!
Is there late registration?
If someone comes in after February 28th to register for the challenge, they will still be allowed to register although they will not receive a t-shirt. So, late registration for a member would be free, and for a non-member remain at $35.
Bracket Challenges
Challenge Starts march 1st
SWEET SIXTEEN (WEEK 1): BRACKET CHALLENGES
These Bracket Challenges are designed to help you push yourself each week to improve your fitness and health. Each of these completed challenges are worth three points. You can do this! Good Luck!
Watch a TedTalk or read an inspirational book
This is a Slam Dunk! Watch a TedTalk, listen to a podcast or read an inspiration book.
Check out these great resources from the Kokomo Howard County Public Library: CLICK HERE!
Complete 1 mile on the track (9 laps)
9 laps can be done all at once or break it up throughout the week. Not at the Y? Try walking in your neigborhood for a mile!
Drink 64oz or more of water each day (7 Days)
Drinking water does more than just quench your thirst — it’s essential to keeping your body functioning properly and feeling healthy. Nearly all of your body’s major systems depend on water to function and survive. You’d be surprised about what staying hydrated can do for your body.
Tips to Drink More Water
- Carry a water bottle with you and refill it throughout the day.
- Freeze some freezer safe water bottles. Take one with you for ice-cold water all day long.
- Choose water over sugary drinks.
- Opt for water when eating out. You’ll save money and reduce calories.
- Serve water during meals.
- Add a wedge of lime or lemon to your water. This can help improve the taste and help you drink more water than you usually do.
Increase the quantity of vegetables consumed daily by 2 servings
Enjoying fruits and vegetables is a great way to improve your health and actually enjoy what you eat. While it may take a little creativity, effort and an open mind to try new things, switching to a diet with more fruits and veggies is definitely worth it! Fresh, frozen, canned, dried – they’re ALL nutritious.
Here are a few ways to add more vegetables to your lifestyle:
- Make Vegetable based soups
- Try zucchini lasagna or veggie noodles
- Add veggies to sauces
- Blend into smoothies
- Veggie Omlets
- Substitute your normal snack for a vegetable
Achieve 30,000 steps in 6 days
Ways to increase your steps:
- Park further away.
- Pace during your next phone call or TV show.
- Find an accountability partner.
- Take a walk at lunch.
- Take the stairs.
- Take your dog for a walk.
- Take a walk after dinner.
Accumulate 5 minutes of planks over 5 days
- If you struggle with planks, break it up to 10, 15, or 30 second increments! You don’t have to do all 5 minutes at once, you have 5 days to complete this challenge.
- If planking hurts your hands or elbows put a soft pad or pillow under you to make it a little easier.
- To make the plank a little easier put your knees on the ground, but make sure that your back is straight and your core is tight!
- You can also plank at an incline using a bench, box or couch. Make sure your back is straight and your core is tight!
- Keep your breathing steady, don’t hold your breath.
- Want more of a challenge? Do plank saws, plank up-downs (transition from your elbows to your hands) or do a weighted plank.
Accumulate 6 minutes of wall sits over 5 days
- This can be broken up into any way you want! All at once or even 1 minute per day or less.
- In order to get the full effect make sure that your back is straight against the wall and knees are at a 90 degree angle as well as your hips.
- Make sure to breathe so you aren’t holding your breath the entire time.
- Don’t have a wall? Do a squat hold.
- What to step up the challenge? Add a weight across your legs, wear a workout band around your legs, or alternate lifting each of your heels of the ground.
Download The Dinner Resilience app and watch 1 video
Elite 8 (WEEK 2): BRACKET CHALLENGES
There are 4 Challenges this week! Each of these completed challenges are worth three points. You can do this! Good Luck!
Take a yoga class at the Y or incorporate 10 minutes of stretching into your daily routine (7 days)
- Plan a short period of time to start your day off stretching
- After a tough workout cool down for a little bit with stretching to loosen your muscles and get your heart rate down.
- If you are sitting at a desk for work, plan a short break to get up and do some basic stretches.
- Find a stretching video on YouTube.
- We offer yoga classes at the Y. Click HERE to check the schedule.
Complete workout 1 (below) and document in FB Group
BASKETBALL: 30 seconds work; 15 seconds rest (Complete each exercise 3x)
Modifications: CLICK HERE
B: Bicep Curls
A: Air Squat
S: Side Shuffle
K: Kettlebell Swings
E: Elbow Plank
T: Tricep Kickbacks
B: Burpees
A: Arnold Press
L: Lunge Jumps
L: Leg Raises (Abs)
Achieve 35,000 steps in 6 days
Ways to increase your steps:
- Park further away.
- Pace during your next phone call or TV show.
- Find an accountability partner.
- Take a walk at lunch.
- Take the stairs.
- Take your dog for a walk.
- Take a walk after dinner.
Research a new healthy recipe, make it and post it on the facebook group
Try one of these websites for healthy meal ideas:
- Food Network
- Delish
- All Recipes
- Taste of Home
- Stop by the Kokomo Howard County Public Library for great resouces including recipes!
Final Four (WEEK 3): BRACKET CHALLENGES
There are 2 Challenges this week! Each of these completed challenges are worth three points. You can do this! Good Luck!
Complete workout 2 (below) and document in FB Group
Complete workout 2 and document in FB group OR take a new class at the YMCA
Workout 2: (reference video for modifications)
MARCH MADNESS:: 45 seconds work; 15 seconds rest (Complete each exercise 3x)
M: Man Makers
A: Air Squat Jumps
R: Russian Twists
C: Curtsy Lunges
H: High Knees
M: Mountain Climbers
A: Alternating Hammer curls
D: Dumbbell Deadlift (Single Leg or both leg)
N: Negative push-ups
E: Extensions for Triceps (Overhead)
S: Skater Hops
S: Shoulder Press
Modifications:
No fried or fast food for the whole week!
- Meal prep before the week begins. Make time on a Saturday or Sunday to go to the grocery store to get food to make for the week, this way you have quick and convenient meals to go for the week.
- Have a friend or family member do it with you to help keep you accountable.
- Take a different route to work, home, the gym, or just while out and about to try not to tempt yourself while passing fast food places during your drive.
Recipe Resources:
Championship (WEEK 4): BRACKET CHALLENGES
There is just 1 Challenge this week! Complete this challenge for three points. You can do this! Good Luck!
Take 4 classes at the YMCA or on the Y360 App
During the last week+ take 4 classes at the YMCA
OR
Take 4 classes on the Y360 app