Win $10,000 In America's First National Weight-Loss Competition

NEW YORK, April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthyWage™, an online network that pays members for improved health, today announces The Matchup: a weight-loss challenge that will reward top-performing teams with $18,000.  Registration for the groundbreaking contest is open now through May 15; all teams will receive fitness, nutrition, and weight-loss coaching from former contestants from NBC's "Biggest Loser" and professionals at thousands of participating gyms. The unique weigh-in collaboration with gyms across the country creates accountability, builds community, and ensures long-term results.  

"It's no secret that cash incentives are one of the most effective ways to inspire positive health changes," said HealthyWage co-founder David Roddenberry. "This method is being used by insurance companies, employers, and even the new federal healthcare bill. However, The Matchup is the first team weight-loss competition open to all Americans."

Teams of five will compete for the greatest percentage of weight lost from May 15-August 15, 2010. Each team pays $100 ($20 per person) at enrollment, and weighs in at the beginning and the end of the contest at one of HealthyWage's thousands of gym partners across the country. The winning teams will receive $18,000 ($10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second, and $3,000 for third).

Pete Thomas and Neil Tejwani — who together lost and kept off 396 pounds — will motivate teams with tips, workout suggestions, and tales from the Biggest Loser ranch.

Upon entering The Matchup, participants will receive fitness orientation and advice from a trained fitness professional.  HealthyWage's growing roster of gym partners currently includes Lady of America, (Ladies Workout Express, Health Clubs of America), California Family Fitness, Five Seasons Sports Club, Kingley Health, Adventure Boot Camp, Spectrum Health Clubs, and franchises of Curves and YMCA.

ABOUT HEALTHYWAGE™

HealthyWage™ provides cash incentives, social and expert support, resources, and goal-setting and tracking technologies to help improve Americans' health.  The site was designed in response to academic research showing that small cash rewards triple the effectiveness of weight-loss programs; that people are more effective at losing weight when their own money is at risk; and that social networks play a large role in the spread of obesity, and will likely play a large role in reversing obesity.  www.healthywage.com

SOURCE HealthyWage