The Active Living Challenge (ALC) is back at Durham College and Ontario Tech University, encouraging students, staff and faculty to stay active this winter. Running from Jan. 6 to Feb. 14, the challenge offers weekly prizes and free workshops to motivate participants to maintain their New Year’s fitness goals.
“Everyone sets these grand goals for themselves, and by the end of January, they slip away,” said Brianna Christopher, fitness coordinator for both institutions.
“The idea of the Active Living Challenge is that there’s events happening throughout the weeks, and they help you maintain your goal. So whether you’re going to the gym for just a 30-minute workout, you get rewarded by filling out a ballot for a prize for that week.”
Participants can earn ballots for prizes by completing 30 minutes of physical activity, whether through workouts, walks, or drop-in sports. This year’s prizes include starter packs with gym essentials such as backpacks, locks, water bottles and fitness journals. The grand prizes feature two bicycles and a walking pad, tailored to support fitness both on campus and at home.
Christopher, who started in her position in March of last year, emphasized the focus of engagement this year.
“This is my first year to really see what our engagement numbers are, how many people participate in this, and how many people attend our workshops,” she said. “We want everyone on campus to know this is actually happening and that it’s benefitting them. Everything’s free – why not participate, right?”
In addition to promoting physical fitness, the challenge integrates events aimed at improving mental health. The calendar features activities like therapy dog sessions, mental health walks and hands-on training workshops.
“Nutrition classes are happening every Friday,” Christopher added. “These all include free samples, so you get to learn about nutrition such as healthy snacks and buying food on a budget, and then you get to try it.”
Feedback so far has been positive, particularly for the nutrition workshops.
“Last week, we did some smoothies and all the participants really liked the samples for that, so I’m sure we’ll see a spike in participants for our nutrition workshops,” she said.
Winners of the weekly prizes will be announced every Tuesday. Christopher encourages participants to remember to submit their ballots online through the Durham Lords website.
As the 2025 Active Living Challenge continues, the FLEX Fitness Centre is proving to be more than just a gym, but a hub for community, motivation and achieving goals. With prizes, camaraderie and a chance to jumpstart the year, the ALC is the perfect opportunity to turn resolutions into results.
For more information on the Active Living Challenge, including workshop schedules and prize details, visit the FLEX Fitness Centre or the Durham Lords website.