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Community Fitness Challenge
JOELLE CONNORS & ALYSON HURLEY
Wheeling Executives
Get Fit While Supporting
Local Charities
A group fitness challenge in Wheeling is pushing area CEOs toward better overall health while competing against their peers to benefit their favorite charity . Known as the Community Fitness Challenge for Executives , or CFC , the 90-day fitness competition was designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle among community leaders and set a good example of health and wellness for others .
Created by David McKinley , president and managing director of McKinley Carter Wealth Services , and Ryan Ferns , owner of the Ryan Ferns Healthplex , the CFC was held twice in 2016 , and the 2017 class will begin this fall . Each of the first two segments involved approximately 20 CEOs , presidents and executives of area companies .
“ Our region of the country has some of the worst statistics for health and fitness , which I believe is largely because of lifestyle choices ,” says McKinley . “ Many in our community believe they are too busy to make time for exercise or eating healthy . As a lifelong West Virginian , business owner and employer who cares very much about our region ’ s economic situation and overall health , I knew we needed to do something more .”
In the fall of 2015 , McKinley met Ferns to learn more about the programs offered at his gym and found that the total fitness transformation program was the perfect vehicle for building a community challenge and positively impacting West Virginians within their spheres of influence .
After accepting the CFC invitation , each competitor donates $ 1,000 to a charity pool ; undergoes a series of benchmark tests , including bloodwork and body scans ; and commits to a weekly CrossFit regimen and nutrition class . At the end of the 12-week challenge , the winner is determined by an overall rating system based on cholesterol and body fat improvements , overall nutrition , strength and fitness measurements and other metrics and receives the entire $ 20,000 pool for his or her designated charity .
“ The Community Fitness Challenge appeals to presidents and CEOs on many different levels ,” says McKinley . “ Participants are able to greatly improve their own personal health and wellness , the charity aspect allows participants to compete on behalf of an organization they are passionate about , and the social interaction with other competitors creates a fun and motivational atmosphere .”
For the CFC 2.0 group , which finished its challenge in December 2016 , the overall metrics were impressive . The total weight lost was 244.5 pounds , body fat decreased by 39 percent , 43.5 inches were lost , and there was a 135-point increase in HDL , or good cholesterol , and a 136-point decrease in LDL , or bad cholesterol . From a fitness standpoint , the group worked incredibly hard , as reflected by their overall accomplishments in several benchmark strength movements : 8,000 push-ups , 9,000 squats , 10,000 pull-ups and 12,000 sit-ups , totaling 39,000 repetitions .
The CFC program has found support within the community , a vital necessity for its success . A key partner , the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce handles the program finances and sponsorship solicitations , coordinates the winner reveal event and contributes to competitor selections . Additional sponsors include The Health Plan , Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack and Undo ’ s Family Restaurants .
In just one year , the program has had a significant impact on individuals , regional companies and nonprofits . “ After two competitions , we have contributed $ 40,000 to local nonprofits , directly impacted 40 community leaders , inspired hundreds of others around them to engage in a similar 90-day program and made more than 100,000 positive impressions through social media posts about healthy diets and exercise ,” says McKinley . •
1 st
CFC Winners
L-R : Mark Peluchette and Eriks Janelsins . Photo by Alyson Hurley .
MARK PELUCHETTE , president of Liberty Distributors , won the first CFC challenge in 2016 . He donated the $ 20,000 pool to Central Catholic High School .
ERIKS JANELSINS , president of the Oglebay Foundation , won CFC 2.0 . He donated his winnings to the Oglebay Foundation .
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