Registration Now Open for Columbia Association’s Award-Winning ‘Biggest Winner’ Weight Loss and Fitness Challenge

This winter will bring the return of the Biggest Winner contest — Columbia Association’s (CA) award-winning eight-week weight loss and fitness challenge. Now in its fourth year, the contest allows participants to compete to achieve a personal goal, as well as contribute to their team’s success. (Last year’s participants lost a total of more than 580 pounds!)

Biggest Winner participants will compete in teams of four and will receive 2 one-hour sessions each week with a CA personal trainer; personalized workouts to be completed outside of team training sessions; biweekly team challenges and health seminars; kickoff and celebration events; T-shirts; discounts from local vendors; and weekly weigh-ins. Participants also receive a weight loss solution journal, and trainers will provide each team with nutritional guidance along the way. At the end of the competition, the individual and the team with the highest percentage of weight loss are awarded prizes.

The cost of the program is $349 per person for Package Plan Plus members, $369 for Package Plan members and individual facility members, $499 for CA Resident Non-Members and $519 for the general public. The fee includes two months of Package Plan Plus membership for those who do not already have it. The registration fee will be non-refundable as of Jan. 5.

Participants can also choose to take part in the Bod Pod Challenge, in which participants will take Bod Pod metabolic and body composition tests before and after the competition. These tests will show body change in terms of pounds of fat lost, as well as pounds of lean mass (muscle) gained, giving participants a detailed and accurate body analysis. Prizes will be given to the participants with the greatest decrease in percentage of body fat.

Participation in this challenge brings an additional cost to the contest registration fee. The cost is $99 for CA members and $109 for non-members for two Bod Pod metabolic and body composition tests, plus a 30-minute consultation with a licensed nutritionist. Payment must be made prior to scheduling the Bod Pod appointments.

The registration period for the Biggest Winner contest begins on Monday, Dec. 3 and ends on Friday, Jan. 4. The contest is open to CA members and the general public who are generally healthy and are of varying fitness levels. Interested persons must complete a health history questionnaire as part of the enrollment packet. Medical clearance may be necessary for participation. Interested participants may request an application at Columbia Athletic Club, Columbia Gym or Supreme Sports Club.

Registration is required. Space, which is limited, will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants will be assigned to a team based on when they can attend the twice-weekly group personal training sessions.

A kickoff event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 5, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Columbia Gym, located at 6151 Daylong Lane in Clarksville. The kickoff event will include vendor booths, free T-shirts and a check-in for participants to get their measurements, weights and “before” photos taken. There also will be testimonials and a keynote speaker.

The Bod Pod Challenge tests will be done on Sunday, Jan. 6, in 10-minute appointments between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Columbia Gym. Team training sessions for the Biggest Winner contest begins the week of Jan. 7. The program culminates in a success celebration on March 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Columbia Athletic Club, located at 5435 Beaverkill Road in Columbia.

For more information, visit ColumbiaFitness.org/PersonalTraining or call Sam Yurko at 410-715-5509.