“Getfit” is not a command, but rather a friendly challenge from MIT Health (formerly MIT Medical) to spend the cold season exercising with a group of your choice, in any way you like. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the popular winter fitness program. The movement began as a goal-oriented exercise incentive for MIT medical staff during the pilot year, expanded to the entire MIT community in 2005, and is now a cherished tradition for many.
Tom Goodwin, an MIT Health staff member who participates every year, sums up the program's value succinctly. “Getfit starts when it's cold and dark and ends when it's warm and bright. Building a team and recording minutes will motivate you to get off the couch and take action.”
Andrea Porras, a Media Lab affiliate and four-time attendee, said: This is a fun way to learn more about your colleagues and the sporting activities they participate in. You never know who might be interested in boxing or hockey. ”
The getfit challenge continued during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing an important way to connect with others during a time of social distancing. He steadily increased from 1,277 participants in 2005 to his 3,385 participants on 501 teams in 2023, logging a total of 12,890,676 minutes of practice time. This equates to 214,845 hours over three months, or an average of 63.5 hours for each participant.
Almost any type of exercise counts, including time spent walking around campus, climbing stairs, running, swimming, skiing, stretching, and lifting heavy objects. Exercises that get your heart beating faster than normal, work your muscles, or increase your flexibility can help you meet your weekly exercise time goals and add to your team's total hours. This number of hours must be entered on the getfit website by the following Monday. .
Teams of five to eight people will include staff, students, faculty, affiliates, family members, and two co-captains. Each team strives to meet individual and team weekly athletic goals. In the first week he starts with 150 minutes and increases up to 300 minutes in the 12th week. The intensity of the exercise varies, but some team members may complete more time than others. However, as long as each individual meets her getfit minimum weekly goal, they will be eligible for that week's individual prize draw, and teams with an average per member at or above the goal will be entered into the weekly team prize draw. Masu.
“We've been doing the getfit challenge for 17 years, and we love it,” says a spokesperson for MIT Sloan EverReadys. MIT Sloan EverReadys is his seven-member team of five faculty members, one associate, and one family member. “It cheers us up in the dead of winter and keeps us motivated for 12 weeks. Some of us can spend over 300 minutes each week, barely producing what we need. Despite this, there have been several times when we've had a perfect season, with each person earning the required amount for each of the 12 weeks. We're also probably the oldest gang in town. We think there is. The age range is wide ranging from 50's to 90's. We like to think that it's not bad. ”
At the end of the three months, one randomly selected team will be awarded the grand prize. At the end of the challenge, a random drawing will be given to two people who log their weekly exercise time for the challenge and demonstrate a steady and consistent increase in their exercise time from week to week, even if that time is not very long. The prize of “Advance and Rise” will be awarded by. I failed to meet the weekly goals set by getfit. This year, to commemorate the program's 20th anniversary, even more amazing prizes are being offered.
In addition to the chance to win prizes, all active team participants will receive a free getfit t-shirt (this year's 20th anniversary special edition) and other freebies, including a special 4 months of service. Or you can take advantage of discounted services. An access pass to MIT Recreation and his free 30-day membership to the exercise app CardioCast.
But for many, bonding with teammates is a stronger motivator than winning awards.
“For me, the social aspect was the most helpful,” says Josh Bradshaw, a family member of a graduate student. “Seeing my friends run races and improve their scores inspired me to push myself a little harder. After I started running during GetFit, I increased the amount of running I did each week, and eventually in the fall I ran the Philadelphia Marathon.”
The program often helps generate new movement momentum for people like Sherian Isaac of the Undergraduate Counseling Center, who is in her 20th year of participation this year. She started the program trying not to let her teammates down, but over the years she “worked hard not to let myself down,” she says.
“Getfit is my yearly reminder to check in on my health, both mental and physical,” says Brian Bryson. MIT Technology Review. “This is a great reflection that will set the tone for the rest of the year.”
Registration for getfit 2024 will be open until January 23rd. The challenge begins on Monday, January 29th and ends on Sunday, April 21st. For more information, visit getfit.mit.edu.
