Semper Fit hopes to get everyone aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico moving a little more with their new “Stairway to Health Step Challenge.” The fitness competition is part of the Healthy Base Initiative and unlike any of their previous challenges, where participants have to test their athletic skills at the gym, track weight loss or lift heavy weights. With this challenge, all they have to do is walk.

From Sept. 16 to Oct. 27, contestants will use loaned pedometers to track steps needed to “climb” six of America’s highest buildings including the Willis Tower in Chicago, which is the second-tallest in the U.S. with 2,109 steps. Each week they will check in with personal trainers at Barber Physical Activity Center to record their progress. Even though participants aren’t literally climbing to the top of buildings, Brian Hancock, lead trainer and fitness coordinator at Barber Physical Activity Center, said it’s a great way for them to contextualize their progress. Furthermore, it’s a challenge that practically anyone can take on, he added.

“We chose walking [for this competition] because it’s the easiest thing for people to increase,” Hancock said. “Instead of taking the elevator they can walk up a flight of stairs or park at a further parking spot.

The six-week contest isn’t necessarily designed to create marathoners or give participants a rocking beach body. It’s to get people thinking about their activity level so they can take small steps toward having a healthier lifestyle.

“The American College of Sports Medicine said everyone should strive to take 10,000 steps a day to have a healthy lifestyle,” Hancock said. “Although most people may think they take that many, once they get the pedometer, they’ll realize how little most of us move.”

Civilians, military family members and anyone who works aboard the base are encouraged to sign up.

“It’s not just for active duty Marines but for civilians and military families, too, because the HBI is a look at everybody who works on the base,” Hancock said. “Military bases are a microcosm of society, so what better place to try a new health initiative.”

Annabelle Schmid, military spouse and a prospective competitor, agrees.

Schmid, who is stationed aboard Quantico while her husband, Maj. Maic Schmid, New Zealand army, completes Command and Staff College, recalls participating in a similar program on base in her home country.

 “We had a similar program in New Zealand, where we were challenged to take 10,000 steps a day and it motivated me to walk to work every day,” Schmid said. “It got me moving, so I think it’s a great idea.”

Participants can track their progress at the gym.

“We’ll have posters of the six buildings, [which include the Willis Tower, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Washington Monument, International Place and AT&T Building] at the gym, so when people come in they’ll show the trainer their pedometer and then trainers will move their name card up the building as they progress,” Hancock said. “When we give people an incentive and a visual goal it makes the challenge that much easier to do.”

To sign up, contact Brian Hancock at the Barber Physical Activity Center at 703-432-0590.

Writer: afelton@quanticosentryonline.com