Fitness Challenges

Fall & Winter

start strong: small group gym training for beginners

18 Yr Olds+

Ready to feel confident in the gym but not sure where to begin? Start Strong is the perfect introduction to strength training for anyone new to fitness or unfamiliar with gym equipment. In this six-week small group program (3–6 participants), you'll meet twice a week with certified personal trainer David Mart for hands-on coaching that teaches proper form, safe equipment use, and simple, effective workouts you can repeat on your own. You'll learn upper body, lower body, full body, and core exercises while building a balanced fitness routine. Between sessions, you'll have access to Zeeland Recreation to practice your workouts at your own pace using a personalized plan provided by your coach. Whether you're stepping into a gym for the first time or simply looking for guidance, Start Strong will replace uncertainty with knowledge, support, and confidence. We would love for you to join us!

Register Here
Registration Deadline: Tue, Sept 29
Cost: $150r/$165nr
Trainer: David Mart
Dates: Mon & Thur | Oct 5-22
Time: 7:30-8:15 PM
Location: Zeeland Recreation

squats challenge - built from the bottom up

12 Yr Olds-Adults

Squat lovers, this challenge is for you! Complete 1,050 squats in 30 days—just 35 squats a day. Squats help build lower-body and core strength while improving bone density, mobility, and flexibility. Use body weight or add resistance to make the challenge your own. Complete all 1,050 reps for a chance to win a one-month Ultimate Membership (a $55 value) or a $50 gift card to the store of your choice. Register before the deadline to receive a challenge T-shirt!

Register Here
Registration Deadline: Thur, Oct 29
Cost: $13
Dates: Nov 2-Dec 1
Location: Zeeland Rec, Home, or Beyond

goals that stick - making fitness a habit

18 Yr Olds+

Ever set a New Year’s fitness goal with the best of intentions… only to realize by February that you’ve lost your momentum? In this four-week series, we’ll look at why our goals so often fall apart and how to approach them differently. In this workshop you’ll create a fitness goal that fits your actual life, break it down into doable steps, and build small habits that don’t depend on grit and willpower to keep going. Stop starting over and start feeling successful with your health and fitness goals.

Day 1 — Where Are You, Really? Before we start fixing things, let’s figure out what’s actually going on. We’ll look at the hats you wear, where your time and energy are going, what’s working (yes, you’re already doing some things right!), and what you actually want your life to look like from the day-to-day to 5 years from now.

Day 2 — Get It Out of Your Head & Make a Plan: Sometimes “I should really start going to the gym” has about 47 hidden steps underneath it. We’ll figure out what’s actually getting in your way, break your goal into doable pieces, and get all those nagging little to-dos out of your head so you know what to do next.

Day 3 — Make It So Easy You Can’t Talk Yourself Out of It: This is where we take one habit and make it work in your actual life - not your imaginary life where you have endless time and energy. We’ll shrink it down, find the right place to put it, and create a version you can pull off even on a terrible day.

Day 4 — Well... How’d That Go? You tried it. Now we get to find out what actually happened! We’ll compare notes, celebrate what worked, troubleshoot what didn’t, and steal good ideas from each other for better cues, anchors, rewards, and ways to make it easier. Also: prizes. Obviously.

Register Here
Registration Deadline: Sat, Jan 9
Cost: $30r/$45nr (includes prize giveaways, workbook with print outs, pens)
Instructor: Erica Boerman
Dates: Sat | Jan 16-Feb 6
Time: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
Location: Cityside MS - ELA Room

lazy man triathlon

12 Yr Olds-Adults

If you love the benefits of cross training and enjoy a challenge, this one's for you! Choose between one of the four triathlon distance options below and then complete those distances in small chunks between March 1- April 3 (you can complete those distances at Zeeland Recreation or elsewhere). Challengers will receive a mileage log and may begin logging their mileage on March 1. Those who complete their mileage distances will be entered into a raffle for a one month Ultimate Membership ($50 value) OR a $50 gift card to a store of your choice! Registration includes a t-shirt.

Register Here
Cost: $13
Ironman: 26.2-mi run/walk, 112-mi bike, 2.4-mi swim
Olympic: 6.2-mi run/walk, 24-mi bike, 1-mi swim
Sprint: 3.1-mi run/walk, 13.2-mi bike, 1/2-mi swim
Dates: Mar 1-27
Location: Zeeland Rec, Home, or Beyond

100 Mile Swim Club

8 Yr Olds-Adults

Looking to stay fit and have fun? Join the Zeeland Recreation 100‑Mile Swim Club! Swim 100 miles in 12 months and track your progress with our new digital system or grab a manual sheet right on the pool deck. Whether you're a dedicated lap swimmer or an in-season competitor looking to rack up extra yardage, this is a great way to stay motivated, challenge yourself, and earn some serious bragging rights. All swim strokes count, and miles from open water swims or other pools can be logged too! Monthly standings will be posted to keep the energy high, and anyone who hits the 100-mile goal will score a premium water bottle and an exclusive 100‑Mile Swim Club decal. Start anytime. Swim anywhere. Just keep moving! Head to the fitness center to sign up today and dive into the challenge!

Register Here
Digital Distance Tracker
Aquatics Calendars: Through June 7
Aquatics Calendars: Starting June 8
Cost: $13
When Can I Start? Any time of year! Simply stop in our fitness center to get started!
Location: Zeeland Recreation Pools
Distance Guidelines:
- 100 miles = 165,000 yards or 3,300 laps
- 1 mile + 1,650 yards, 66 lengths or 33 laps
- Length = One end of the pool to the other end (25 yards)
- Lap = Down and back (50 yards)
- 2 miles a week = 100 miles in 50 weeks
- 3 miles a week = 100 miles in 33 weeks
- 1 mile a day x 5 days a week = 100 miles in 20 weeks