Gold’s Gym Announces 2017 Gold’s Gym Challenge Winners
Posted: June 13, 2017 in Chains
Gold’s Gym
DALLAS, TX – Gold’s Gym, a leading fitness authority, has selected 30 winners from age categories ranging 18 – 60+ in the Gold’s Gym Challenge, the company’s signature 12-week body transformation competition. Starting in January, more than 20,000 members from across the U.S. challenged themselves to improve their physical fitness, boost their overall health and get in the best shape of their lives. Twelve weeks later, the contest has produced incredible success stories that are not only inspiring but redefine the meaning of strength.
More than $100,000 in cash prizes have been awarded to the 30 top Challenge participants as well as two Document Your Journey social media winners. The national cash prizes were awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place male and female finishers in five adult age categories. Participants shared their success stories at the local level, with finalists advancing to the national level. The national winners, including two overall winners, were selected by a panel of experts who reviewed criteria such as overall fitness goals achieved, total weight lost, muscle tone, personal testimonials and physical transformations. A full list of all the winners can be viewed at http://www.goldsgym.com/challenge-winners.
“The Gold’s Gym Challenge is not just about winning but about motivating our members to take control of their health and wellness by making positive, long-term lifestyle changes,” said Gold’s Gym Chief Executive Officer Brandon Bean. “We are inspired by the journeys our members have taken to achieve such incredible results, and we congratulate everyone who participated.”
National Female Overall Winner Monica Ludlow, 36, of Seattle, said she signed up for the Challenge on a whim during a difficult time in her life. She said she stayed motivated with the support of her husband, daughter, neighbors and her Gold’s Gym trainer to lose 33 pounds, 13.25 inches and 9.4 percent body fat – and learned a lot about herself in the process.
“I continue to be amazed at how much I could change in every way within 12 weeks. I have the power to finish something I start. I am consistent. I have the power to control what I put in my body. I can choose to be positive,” she said. “Because of this Challenge, I know that I am powerful!”
National Male Overall Winner Jude Jeanmarie, 31, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, lost 57.4 pounds, 22.5 inches and 16 percent body fat in the Challenge to honor his mother, whose sudden death led him to emotional overeating and weight gain.
“I had the need to do this transformation in honor of my mom,” he said. “The 12 Week Challenge transformation may have just saved my life. I’m now 50 pounds lighter and healthier, physically stronger, increased self-control, active and restful, while still grieving.”
For 2017, Gold’s Gym introduced a motivational social media component to the Challenge, awarding cash prizes to one male and one female who best documented their 12-week journey on social media using #ggchallenge2017 and #contest. Winners were selected based on how well they shared their progress, inspiration, workout videos, results and the support the participant received during the Challenge.
The Gold’s Gym Challenge is a collaboration between Gold’s Gym and the Gold’s Gym Franchisee Association. 2017 Gold’s Gym Challenge sponsors included Optimum Nutrition, BSN, Isopure, ABB, Mio Global, ABC Financial and Matrix Fitness.
