![\"ACE\"](\"http:\/\/www.clubinsideronline.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/American-Council-On-Exercise-1-300x73.png\")
ACE<\/p>\nACE<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON, D.C.<\/strong> – ACE\u2019s 3rd Annual Congressional Fitness Challenge, a competition that tracks steps and other selected forms of physical activity for six weeks, drew a record number of competitors with more than 700 individuals from 64 offices, a more than 200% increase from last year. The competition spanned from February 5 to March 18, 2018.<\/p>\n The challenge provided members of Congress, their full-time staff and interns the opportunity to get more physically active in a congenially competitive way, to build camaraderie while doing so and to inspire their constituents to embrace physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. The friendly competition drew almost equal numbers of teams from both sides of the political aisle.<\/p>\n “When it comes to embracing physical activity, the U.S. Congress leads by example,” says ACE President and CEO Scott Goudeseune. \u201cThe fact that so many of our nation\u2019s leaders showed up to walk the talk is a true testament to our collective commitment to build better health across our communities and our nation.”<\/p>\n This year, ACE utilized MoveSpring, a walking challenge app that syncs to most activity tracking devices and apps to automatically track steps. Not only did this make it easier for participants to stay focused on being active, but it provided a real-time leaderboard that helped motivate teams to get moving. Offices were invested in the challenge, which has quickly gained popularity over the last three years. One participant stated, \u201cThis is always my favorite part about January.\u201d <\/p>\n Here are the 2018 Congressional Fitness Challenge Winners:<\/strong><\/p>\n Top 3 Stepping Teams (average # steps-Senate and House combined):<\/em><\/p>\n Top Stepping Team-Senate (total # steps):<\/em><\/p>\n Top Stepping Team – House (total # steps):<\/em><\/p>\n Top 5 Senate Steppers (total # steps):<\/em><\/p>\n Top 5 House Steppers (total # steps):<\/em><\/p>\n A special congratulations to the two top performing members of Congress, Senator Burr (R-NC) and Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT-01) who both finished in the top 15 on the Senate and House sides, respectively. You can see the ranking of top teams and individuals in our Advocacy Center.<\/p>\n Teams are already looking forward to next year\u2019s challenge. Senator Richard Burr\u2019s (R-NC) commented, \u201cIt was a team effort, and Team Burr is already gearing up for next year to take the top spot!\u201d<\/p>\n “The challenge is appropriately named. It certainly was a challenge. It was a motivational way for my staff to interact beyond the office. I’m ready for next year,” said Representative Rob Bishop (R-UT-1).<\/p>\n According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 117 million Americans have at least one chronic disease, and 79 percent of American adults do not meet the government\u2019s national physical activity recommendations. Overwhelmingly, studies show that physical activity plays an important role in the prevention and management of obesity and chronic diseases. Roughly 86 percent of the nation\u2019s annual healthcare spending could be reduced through healthier lifestyle choices, including increasing physical activity levels.<\/p>\n Together, with our family of more than 80,000 ACE certified exercise professionals and health coaches, our allies, partners and educators, programs like the Congressional Fitness Challenge demonstrate our commitment to moving all communities toward a healthier and more active way of life.<\/p>\nTeam Winners<\/h3>\n
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Individual Winners<\/h3>\n
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