Sign-up for the 2016 Active at Argonne Challenge begins Monday, May 9, 2016, giving teams of eight employees a chance to “Explore the Mediterranean” while taking part in healthy activities, earning Virgin Pulse points and competing for bragging rights.
Active at Argonne is a campus-wide activity challenge hosted by Virgin Pulse. The six-week competition runs May 16-June 24. Virgin Pulse will contact eligible employees via email Monday, May 9, 2016, with more details on creating teams.
The competition is based on the total number of steps recorded by each team, as tracked by Virgin Pulse, which will display a “leaderboard” of teams. All participants finishing the challenge and averaging 7,000 steps per day will earn 500 Virgin Pulse points. In addition, vouchers for Virgin Pulse points will be available through various Mediterranean-themed activities during the competition. The top three teams and individuals will receive awards at a closing ceremony the final week of June.
In a change from previous years, there are no team captains. Anyone can invite others to form a team. Teams should comprise eight employees (a team may have fewer than eight members, but it won’t be as competitive). “Public” teams can be joined by any Virgin Pulse user at the laboratory; “private” team members must be invited.
“Even if your team may not be competitive in terms of steps, you can join the challenge to participate in fun weekly events and earn Virgin Pulse points,” said HEW Physician Lisa Pocius.
Kickoff event
A kickoff event will be held in the Building 213 Cafeteria Monday, May 16, 2016, with RightFit leading a “Head to Toe” exercise. Participants should wear tennis shoes and bring a towel. The event may move outside if weather is nice.
- 11 a.m. — 25-minute exercise session (25 Virgin Pulse Points voucher)
- 11:30 a.m. — 25-minute exercise session (25 Virgin Pulse Points voucher)
- Noon — Remarks from Argonne Director Peter Littlewood and HEW Director Jamie Stalker, followed by Inner Circle walk (25 Virgin Pulse Points voucher)
- 12:30 p.m. — Exercise session (25 Virgin Pulse Points voucher)
A full schedule of weekly events will appear in Argonne Today and on the calendar inside Virgin Pulse. The first event is the Wellness Run/Walk hosted by the Argonne Running Club on Tuesday, May 17, 2016. Finishers will receive a voucher for 100 Virgin Pulse points.