The Biggest Loser

Work off weight with help and tips during Boutte club’s 8-week fitness, health challenge

Photo by Heather R. Breaux

Unique group workouts like Glynn Rhodes “Body Boot Camp” will also be available to contestants.

Lose weight and boost your self confidence with help from the Fitness Club’s “Biggest Loser” contest.

The Boutte-based health club is offering all St. Charles Parish residents the opportunity to form teams and compete for a $3,000 grand prize while getting in shape and working off those unwanted pounds.

“Our contest is inspired by NBC’s hit weight-loss competition show,” said Leah Woolf, owner. “We’ve held in-house events before, but this is our first-ever contest where any parish resident can participate.”

For a temporary membership fee of $75, five-member teams will compete for eight weeks - from Aug. 22 through Oct. 17 - at their own pace and gain knowledge of what exercises give the best results and how to personalize their workout routine.

“Participants will be required to check in at least 24 times to the Fitness Club for workouts and group exercise,” added Woolf. “Ten out of the 24 exercise sessions must be for group exercise classes such as BODYPUMP or TurboKick.”

BODYPUMP, a Les Mills creation, is the original barbell class that strengthens your entire body.

This 60-minute workout challenges all your major muscle groups by using the best weight-room exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls.

Other Les Mills workouts like BODYFLOW, BODYVIBE and BODYSTEP focus on yoga, pilates, step aerobics and low-impact aerobics.

TurboKick zeros in on kick boxing and the RPM classes consist of spinning and cycling.

“We’ve heard of other clubs holding these types of contests and we think that it is a great way to help motivate our community and work as a team,” said Woolf.

Non-mandatory, weekly challenges will be held on Saturdays and are designed to get participants out of the gym and to keep the exercises fun.

“Each outdoor challenge will be a surprise and different prizes will be awarded each week,” continued Woolf.

All teams must be registered by Saturday, Aug. 22 and can’t consist of more than five members. Winners are determined by the largest percent of body weight lost.

The final weigh-in will be Oct. 14 followed by a finale celebration on Oct. 17 complete with an all-fitness launch featuring the complete Les Mills workout programs and the “Silver Sneakers” group for seniors 65 and older.

The team with the highest percentage of body weight lost will be awarded $3,000.

First place individual winner will get a one-year membership to the Fitness Club. Second place will receive a six-month membership and third place gets a three-month membership.

Check back each week for photos and updates from the Fitness Club’s Biggest Loser competition.