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YMCA challenge participants strive to survive

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Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Cory Burma and his wife, Deb, far left, take part in a recent Group Power class at the YMCA of Rock County downtown location. The couple are competing in the YMCA's Y Team Survivor challenge, which pits 18 two-person teams against each other for a series of fitness challenges.

JANESVILLE — Why would anyone want to take on the challenge of walking or running 26.2 miles in addition to biking 112 miles and swimming 211 lengths in a pool in two weeks?

Maybe just to prove one could survive it.

That’s what the YMCA of Rock County was hoping for when it decided to offer Y Survivor Team Challenge. The 12 weeks of six challenges began June 1 and continue through Aug. 23.

The goal was to get 10 teams involved. Eighteen signed up. Teams mostly consist of friends, but couples, co-workers and relatives also make up teams.

“It’s a nice mix,” said Darcy Fugate, a YMCA group exercise instructor.

As of Monday, four challenges had been issued. Two remain.

“We wanted to keep members motivated over the summer,” said Jessie Cutsinger, fitness director.

That’s happening.

Five weeks into the challenge, the husband and wife team of Deb and Cory Burma had lost 10 pounds each.

“It’s wonderful. I have more energy and attribute that to the exercise. It’s easier to wake up in the morning, and I’m mentally more alert,” Deb said.

Cory also recognizes the new workout benefits.

“It’s better to start the day with exercise and shows our kids exercise is a good, healthy thing,’’ he said.

Typically, Deb and Cory—who make up Team Body by Burma—are not competitive. But competing in the Y challenges has made them that way.

“I’m determined to be my own personal best,” Cory said.

“I wanted to see if we could do it and keep it up,” Deb said.

To date, no teams have dropped out.

“Everybody tends to stick it out when they’re in a competition,’’ Cutsinger said.

Cutsinger creates the challenges that are kept a secret until the first Monday of each two-week challenge.

The first challenge focused on steps. After counting the number of steps—312—in the Y’s Dodge Street building, challenge participants had to climb that many steps in the stairwell that leads to the J.P. Cullen gym. Other parts of the challenge included three 20-minute workouts on the step mill and Stairmaster plus another 5 miles of steps.

The stair mill portion of the challenge was the toughest for the Burmas who usually get their cardio workouts on the elliptical exercise machine.

“It was a killer,’’ Cory said.

“I’ve used a lot of machines, but this challenge made us use different machines,’’ Deb said.

Challenge 2 was to complete as many different group exercise classes as possible. With more than 14 such classes from which to choose, the Burmas tried new classes such as Group Power, a 60-minute barbell program that strengthens all the body’s major muscles through squats, lunges presses and curls—all set to music.

“We were never bored in this challenge,’’ Deb said, explaining they picked classes that improved the inner core and flexibility.

Challenge 3 involved cross training—running, biking and swimming.

“The swimming portion was the most challenging, but everybody wanted to stick it out ’cause it’s such a good cardio workout,’’ Cutsinger said.

Challenge 4, which started Monday, focuses on nutrition and exercise. Participants must go to the mypyramid.gov Web site, input their personal information, then follow the nutrition and exercise guidelines, Cutsinger said.

The Burmas said they would love to finish among the top three teams. They were tied for first after the first week, in fourth place after challenge 2 and in third place after finishing the third challenge.

At the end of each two-week challenge, teams turn in log sheets to Cutsinger. Those sheets note team accomplishments that earn points for prizes such as golf and spa packages, plus baseball and water park tickets.

Cutsinger said the Y already is considering offering the workout challenge again next year because of its popularity.

“It’s been the buzz all summer and really helps keep people motivated. So if it brings them back next year, I want to keep that motivation going.’’