MHealthy is launching two new online features to help university faculty and staff test their knowledge of exercise and train safely for a fitness event.
Exercise challenges
Now available are monthly “Check Your EQ (Exercise Quotient)” exercise challenges. Each month, from May through July, MHealthy will offer a new online exercise challenge focusing on a different topic:
• May – Training for a Fitness Event
• June – Latest Physical Activity Guidelines
• July – Dispelling Fitness Myths
“We wanted a fun and quick way to combat misinformation about physical activity,” says Colleen Greene, MHealthy wellness coordinator. “Our online challenges test just how much we know, or think we know, about exercise and fitness.”
Each challenge takes only a few minutes and university employees that complete a brief survey at the end will be entered into monthly drawings for prizes such as massages, MHealthy merchandise and gift certificates.
Faculty and staff are eligible to enter the prize drawing once per month. Re-enter to win by completing each month’s new challenge.
Exercise challenges are available at www.MHealthy.umich.edu/eqchallenge.
Training Routines
Beginning May 10, MHealthy also will offer online training routines to help employees train safely and effectively in four months for a fitness event, such as a 5K run, a marathon or a swimming event. MHealthy’s “Ready, Set – Goal!” training routines will be available for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels for the following activities:
• Biking
• Marathon
• Running (5K and 10K)
• Swimming
• Triathlon/duathlon
• Walking
“We wanted to make our training routines available in May since long-distance walks, runs and biking events typically take place in the fall,” Greene says. “It takes at least four months to prepare mentally and physically for these types of activities so MHealthy developed training regimens to help you train safely and reach the finish line.”
All training routines are designed by certified fitness experts. Each includes a four-month calendar outlining daily stretching, cardio and muscular fitness activities, as well as guidance on proper training, how to avoid overtraining, and equipment use.
Training routines will be available for download beginning May 10 at www.MHealthy.umich.edu/training.
Paper versions of both the exercise challenges and training routines also are available by calling 734-975-3024 (dial all seven digits if calling on campus).
