1. What is the 2012 Gold’s Gym Challenge all about?
The 2012 Gold’s Gym Challenge is the program that can turn things around for you. While we assure this program will deliver life-altering changes for you, it is not a 'magic pill.' The single most important factor to seeing results has to come from YOU. There are two components to seeing success: 1. Commitment to a regular exercise program; and 2. Commitment to a detailed nutrition plan provided by us. Properly combined, these two elements have the potential to bring changes you never thought possible on a personal level. Again, however, you must commit yourself fully. Your level of success is directly related to your level of commitment. This is a contest for current Gold's Gym Fishkill, Newburgh and LaGrange members based on overall change.
2. What are the contest dates?
Flight A:
Start Date: End Date: Location:
Tuesday, January 3 March 27, 2012 Newburgh
Wednesday, January 4 March 28, 2012 LaGrange
Thursday, January 5 March 29, 2012 Fishkill
Flight B:
Start Date: End Date: Location:
Wednesday, January 24 April 17, 2012 Newburgh
Thursday, January 25 April 18, 2012 LaGrange
Friday, January 26 April 19, 2012 Fishkill
3. What are the categories of participation?
• Female / Male 18 to 29
• Female / Male 30 to 39
• Female / Male 40 to 49
• Female / Male 50 to 59
• Female / Male 60 +
Under 18 may participate with parental consent. Not eligible for judging or prizes.
4. May I participate if I am under 18?
Yes, minors under the age of 18 may participate in the program. However, anyone under 18 will not be subject to judging or eligible for prize awards. Parental consent is required.
5. I want to participate. Where do I start?
Members can sign up any time after the information nights at the Service Desk of Gold's Gym Newburgh, Fishkill or LaGrange. An appointment will be scheduled for you to officially begin the Challenge. *Gold's Gym suggests you get medical clearance from your physician prior to beginning any new nutrition or fitness program.
6. What happens at my starting appointment?
At your starting appointment, we will take a 'before' assessment of you. This includes photos by a professional photographer; body measurements of the abdomen, hips, and thigh; weight; and a body fat assessment. For the weight and body fat assessment, an advanced body composition scale is used. This information will be recorded as your starting data. At that time, you will also receive your body Gold’s Gym Challenge handbook.
7. What should I wear in my photos?
Judging is primarily based on the photos. Judges can’t compare what they can’t see.
Suggested attire:
Women – bikini or shorts and a sports bra.
Men – no shirt and shorts no longer than mid-thigh.
*No thongs or undergarments. Remember to wear the same or similar clothing for both your before and after photos.
8. Is Personal Training Required?
Working with a Personal Trainer is recommended, though not required. The continued motivation, nutritional updates, and support provided by a personal trainer will help to ensure your success in the program. Use the discount coupons in your participant handbook to get yourself off to a great start!
9. How do I keep motivated?
This is your time to commit. Unless you choose to work with a trainer, this is a self-guided journey. Use your book as a tool. You will also receive follow-up email inquiries about your progress, and other helpful information. Again, you may also choose to purchase a discounted personal training package at any time (*with coupon). Working with a personal trainer is an excellent way to 'recharge' your battery and stay motivated!
10. When can I schedule my appointment to finish?
You are required to know your end date and to schedule your appointment to finish. You can schedule your appointment to finish the contest 6 weeks prior to your end date. All appointments can be made in person at the Reception Desk or by phone.
11. Most Importantly - How to be a Finisher!
To be a finisher you are required to:
- Schedule and attend the appointment for your BEFORE measurements and photos (within your flight dates).
- Schedule and attend the appointment for your AFTER measurements and photos (within your flight dates).
- Submit your ESSAY within two days of your finish date.
All participants must comply with the above to be considered a finisher. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made.
12. Do I need to write an essay to be a finisher?
Yes. Your essay should be a testimonial of your journey through the 12-week
program detailing your emotions and personal experience. It is due no later than
2 days after your final appointment. Please email your essay (Word format) to
customerservice@goldsgymhv.com or leave a hard copy with the member service desk.
13. What does successful completion of this contest entail?
- Official registration form completed, accompanied by contest fee.
- Official before/after measurements, scheduled and taken 12 weeks apart.
- Official before/after photos taken by contest photographer.
- Submission of essay within 2 days of final appointment.
14. When and what is the judging?
Several weeks after you finish, judging takes place. Your attendance is not necessary here; however, the judging is open to public viewing. At this time, a minimum of five judges who are unrelated to the program or its participants, face the difficult task of determining the winners. All participants who have completed the program are placed in their respective categories. Provided there are at least 15 participants in a group, 1st through 5th place winners are chosen. Categories with fewer than 15 participants are judged up to 3 winners.
15. What is the judging criteria?
- Before/After photos. Primarily, the judging is based on this alone! Please be advised that all faces are covered in the photos when viewed by the judges. Everyone appears as “anonymous.”
- Before/After measurements and body fat assessment. This information is provided upon request after the contestants have been narrowed down by photos.
- Essay. Essays are read if the judges cannot reach a decision based on photos, measurements and body fat assessment. Final judging in large categories often comes down to the content of participant essays. An essay must be submitted to receive copies of before and after photos and to attend the Awards Reception.
16. What is the Awards Reception?
Soon after the final judging, an “Invitation Only” reception is held for all finishers and a guest*. On this exciting evening, participants come together to share their stories and achievements and the contest winners are announced. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar are provided.
* Small fee to bring a guest.
17. What if I don't win the contest?
It is important to realize that there are no losers for those who complete the program. If you're thinking about entering the program just to win money, you shouldn't do it. You should only do this program if you are serious about making physical and mental changes that will have you looking and feeling your best. Gold’s Gym Challenge is all about success on a personal level. When the 12 weeks are complete, we hope you are so amazed by your physical and psychological changes, you will continue with your exercise and nutrition plans on a permanent basis. That's what this program is about…learning and permanently committing to a healthy lifestyle that will make you look and feel your best. It's not and will never be about the money.
18. What happens if I win the contest?
Winners of the contest are awarded prize money and their photos are displayed in the gyms for others to view. Past winners have also been used in Gold's Gym marketing and promotional materials. More importantly, winning the contest means you have changed your body and your life and are now a role model and inspiration to others. This year, photos and measurements of all first place winners will also be sent to Gold's Gym International for entry in a separate coast-to-coast contest. (Prize jackpot is based on contest participation and individual monetary awards are at the discretion of contest organizers).
19. How much does The Gold’s Gym Challenge cost?
You can enroll today for only .................................. $85
We've broken down the value of the program:
Private 1-hour Fitness Assessment .......................... $100
Professional before/after photos............................... $ 25
Before/after measurements & body fat assessment... $ 20
Gold’s Gym Challenge handbook.............................. $ 10
1/2-Way measurement event ................................... $ 20
T-Shirt ................................................................... $15
Webinars/workshops................................................ $ 55
Private educational website....................................... $ 45
$10 coupon to the TAN (for finishers only)................ $ 10
Awards Reception (for finishers only)...................... $ 30
Life-changing experience – PRICELESS
The above value is well over $300 you pay $85
$30 of your entry fee goes into the jackpot & is awarded back to the winners.
20. Why should I participate?
Simply put, the Gold's Gym 12-Week Challenge program is priceless. When followed properly, it literally creates permanent life-altering changes for many participants. Know Your Own Strength! What are YOU waiting for?
21. What are the official contest rules?
Entering:
- There are both male and female categories in 5 age groups: 18-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; and 60+. Your age bracket is determined by your age on your actual start date. Ages of all winners must be verified by a photo ID.
- The contest is open to members of the Hudson Valley Gold's Gym organization only (Gold's Gym Newburgh, Fishkill and LaGrange). All entrants from the three locations are combined to form the contest.
- Employees of Gold's Gym Hudson Valley are not eligible to participate in the member contest. A separate contest is held for staff in which the same rules apply.
- Start and Final measurements and photos must be taken by Gold's Gym and a professional photographer. Measurements and photos are taken on scheduled dates only. There can be no deviations. No exceptions will be made.
- Pictures and measurements will be confidential until after judging/reception.
- Previous overall winners for 2009/2010 will be judged by age category only and will not be eligible for jackpot.
REFUNDS:
The contest fee is not fully refundable under any circumstances. If within the first 30 days you are deemed medically unable to participate and wish to withdraw from the contest, your request must be in writing and must be accompanied by a note from your physician. Upon receipt of your request, a partial refund of $35 will be issued. No refunds/
withdrawal requests will be considered after 30 days from your start date.
Judging:
1. The winners are primarily judged on the greatest physical change in their before and after photos (75% photos).
2. Only contestants who meet all stated requirements will be eligible for judging.
3. The prize pool is cash, divided accordingly among age & gender groups.
4. Judges are composed of outside persons; Gold's Gym staff is not eligible to judge.
5. Judging is open to public viewing.
6. Judges decisions are final.
Final:
1. Hudson Valley Gold's Gym organization reserves the right to interpret rules and, if necessary, amend the rules at its sole discretion and without notice to participants.
2. All information and materials are the sole and exclusive property of Gold's Gym and its assignees.
3. Anabolic steroids or any other strength enhancing prescription drugs or medications are prohibited.
4. Gastric bypass or any enhancement surgery done within one year of the program dates eliminates such participants from eligibility to win cash prizes.
5. Participants are encouraged to use the information provided in the Gold's Gym booklet, which includes a nutrition program.
6. Each participant assumes the risk of injury, harm or loss arising from participation in this contest. Consult with your physician prior to beginning any new exercise or nutrition program.
7. Participants must notify Hudson Valley Gold's Gym organization of any change of address or phone numbers. Winners who cannot be reached within 10 days will be disqualified and prizes forfeited.
8. All winners may be required to submit to urine, blood and/or polygraph testing at the discretion of Hudson Valley Gold's Gym organization.
9. Successful completion of the program consists of the participant meeting the following criteria: official before measurements and pictures, official after measurements and pictures, essay on their experience with the contest (must be turned in no later than 2 days after end measurements are taken).
10. The most important rule is to have fun changing your life!
Contact Information:
ggchallenge@goldsgymhv.com
