May 2, 2022—Following the success of last year’s event, members of the U.S. Congress are taking part in the 2022 Congressional Physical Activity Challenge, hosted in partnership by Myzone and the Physical Activity Alliance (PAA).
Coinciding with National Physical Fitness and Sports Month in May, the competition is open to all members of Congress and their D.C. Congressional staff. Each participant will use an MZ-Switch heart rate monitor during the challenge, with winners awarded based on individual achievement, office achievement and most office staff participants able to reach the World Health Organization guidelines for physical activity.
“The MZ-Switch has proven to be an incredibly effective tool in giving more people the motivation to move more often,” explained Mike Leveque, Myzone CEO for the Americas. “After the incredible efforts put into last year’s challenge, the Myzone team is honored that the Switch is once again being used as the wearable for this challenge in partnership with the PAA.
“When we’re looking to make positive behavior change within the community, across the country and around the world, we have to lead by example. It’s so good to see Congress leading from the front in policy-making and ensuring physical activity is a top priority in the years to come.”
The Congressional challenge will take place from May 2 to May 31. Each participant will earn MEPs (Myzone Effort Points) while wearing the MZ-Switch for physical activity. The World Health Organization's guidelines for physical activity are at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week. Alternatively, individuals should undertake an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous intensity activity throughout the week. This equates to 1,300 MEPs per month.
“Today, America faces unprecedented challenges and uncertainty, at home and abroad,” stated Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), winner of the 2021 Congressional Physical Activity Challenge. “In times like these, we need strong leadership, we need commitment, we need everyone to do their part. That’s why I’m announcing that I’m running for Congress’ Physical Activity Challenge.
“Each year, Congressional offices compete against each other in the physical activity challenge that proves their staff will literally go the extra mile. I’m proud to say Team Burr has been ranked among the top teams for the last few years. Every other office will have to bring their A-game to beat us this year.”
Hosting the challenge in partnership with Myzone, the mission of the Physical Activity Alliance is to lead efforts to create, support, and advocate policy and system changes that enable all Americans to enjoy physically active lives.
“We envision an active and healthy nation where the opportunity for physical activity is easily available in the daily lives of all Americans,” explained PAA president, Graham Melstrand.
“Better access to opportunities for physical activity will not only keep citizens happy and healthy in the short term, but it will save lives, reduce the likelihood of co-morbidities and alleviate much of the strain on health care services for years to come.”
Participants in the Congressional Physical Activity Challenge will be competing in the following categories:
- Top Individual Point Earner
- Top Office Point Earner
- Top Office Point Average (must have four or more participants)
- Most office staff participants to reach the World Health Organization Guidelines for Physical Activity (=1300 Myzone Effort Points)
About Myzone
Myzone is a unique wearable fitness brand that rewards effort rather than ability, motivating its users to feel good about exercise and work harder. Myzone uses inclusive, game-based mechanics and social elements to build communities together on the Myzone app. Myzone creates personalized zones for each user, based on their maximum heart-rate, which means anyone can compete together on a level playing field.
Myzone develops accurate wearable technology, to provide engaging and motivational experiences, which support behavior change to make exercise habits stick. Myzone is used by 1.8 million people and already represented in over 9,000 facilities in 84 countries.
The most accurate calorie cruncher on the market – the chest strap boasts a heart rate accuracy of 99.4% ECG and the wrist watch a 95% PPG accuracy and in conjunction with personal body metrics, it ensures calorie-burning calculations are supremely accurate and personal to individuals in your community.
It praises like a PT – Unlike other activity monitors Myzone rewards effort not fitness, motivating everyone to work harder. Myzone recognizes everyone is different, so it creates a handicap for every user, based on their maximum heart-rate, which effectively means members can compete with anyone on a level playing field.
It’s a multiplayer game – Myzone is massively addictive, challenging and motivating. Use the app to create competitions with friends or plot your progress on the leader board as Myzone turns effort into points, and then equates them to the World Health Organization’s guidelines for physical activity.
It’s Facebook for physical activity – Myzone has its own social media network. Use it to follow friends, analyze workouts, then ‘like’ or comment on their efforts to stay connected—whether you are competitive or love collecting those likes to keep you moving. Together we are stronger, with the unbeatable connected experience.
About the Physical Activity Alliance
Based in Washington, D.C., the non-profit Physical Activity Alliance is the nation’s largest and most inclusive community of physical activity advocates, researchers, academics, and practitioners.
Guided by the National Physical Activity Plan, its mission is to create, support, and advocate for policy and system changes that enable all Americans to enjoy physically active lives.
Together, we envision an active and healthy nation where the opportunity for physical activity is easily available in the daily lives of Americans.
To learn more about the Physical Activity Alliance visit paamovewithus.org.
Media Contact:
Ben Hackney-Williams, Head of Content
+44 (0)7708 522563
ben.hackney@myzone.org
marketing@myzone.org
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