Gold's Gym Challenge Changes Thousands Of Lives In Just 12 Weeks

DALLAS, June 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This January, more than 20,000 Gold's Gym members from across the U.S. accepted the annual Gold's Gym Challenge – a 12-week full body transformation competition that provides members with the opportunity to improve their lives and overall health. The result? Thousands of pounds and inches lost, as well as more than $100,000 of cash prizes awarded to the 30 most successful Challenge participants from around the country.

Most importantly, the contest produced some of the most amazing transformations and inspiring stories to date.

During the three-month timeframe, participants worked with a Gold's Gym certified personal trainer or on their own to transform their bodies while competing to win cash prizes. The prizes, totaling $100,000, were awarded to the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place finishers in five age categories as a way to recognize the incredible accomplishments.

At the conclusion of the 2016 Gold's Gym Challenge, Gold's Gym locations from around the country held local judging and submitted their top male and female success stories in the five age categories: 18-29 years, 30-39 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years and 60 plus years. A national panel of judges then reviewed thousands of entries to ultimately select the winners. The 2016 Gold's Gym Challenge first place winners for each age category are:

• Renee Barnes (Female, 30-39 years) Overall Female Winner from Issaquah, WA – (Gold's Gym Issaquah)
• Todd McFarland (Male, 40-49 years) Overall Male Winner from Hoschton, GA – (Gold's Gym Hamilton Mill)
• Julie Lundgren (Female, 18-29 years) from Arlington, VA – (Gold's Gym Courthouse)
• Alexander Andrew Saleh (Male,18-29 years) from West Covina, CA – (Gold's Gym SoCal)
• Bret Van Den Akker (Male, 30-39 years) from Knoxville, TN – (Gold's Gym West Knoxville)
• Dawn Berens (Female, 40-49 years) from Studio City, CA – (Gold's Gym SoCal)
• Sharon Prince (Female, 50-59 years) from Winnetka, CA – (Gold's Gym SoCal)
• Kevin Castonguay (Male, 50-59 years) from Issaquah, WA – (Gold's Gym Issaquah)
• Jody Mangialardi (Female, 60+ years) from Issaquah, WA – (Gold's Gym Issaquah)
• Joseph Wheeler (Male, 60+ years) from Issaquah, WA – (Gold's Gym Issaquah)

Winners were chosen based on total body transformations including the following criteria: amount of weight lost, muscle tone, inches lost, percentage of body weight lost, personal testimonials and before and after photos. Collectively, the 10 winners listed above lost more than 400 pounds.

Overall female winner, Renee Barnes, of Issaquah, WA, lost a total of 40 pounds, 10 percent body fat and 30 inches.

"The Gold's Gym Challenge came at a critical time in my life. I was about to turn 40, but felt physically and emotionally older. It was clear I needed a lifestyle change," said Barnes. "I made it through something I used to believe was impossible and can look in the mirror and be not only proud, but amazed by what I accomplished."

Overall male winner, Todd McFarland, of Hoschton, GA, lost 54 pounds, 26 percent body fat and 20 inches.

"I was in bad shape before learning about the Gold's Gym Challenge. I dedicated myself to being the best me I could be and was determined to change not only the way I look, but how I felt and lived my life," said McFarland. "Fast forward three months later and I look and feel better than I ever have. Without the Challenge I would have never accomplished as much as I have."

"The Gold's Gym 12-Week Transformation Challenge is about more than just weight loss for our members. It's about a lifestyle overhaul and an improvement of their overall wellbeing," said Brandon Bean, CEO of Gold's Gym. "Our members' remarkable results, combined with their refreshed attitudes, motivation and positive outlooks on both health and life is why Gold's Gym created the Challenge. We believe that these incredible individuals will inspire others to take control of their health and achieve their ultimate body goals in future Challenges to come." 

The Gold's Gym Challenge is collaboration between Gold's Gym and the Gold's Gym Franchisee Association. For more information on Gold's Gym visit www.goldsgym.com or to find a Gold's Gym near you, visit http://www.goldsgym.com/find-gym/.

About Gold's Gym
Since 1965 Gold's Gym has built a Legacy of Strength − a legacy that goes back to the very first Gold's Gym in Venice, California. Fifty years later, Gold's Gym is the most recognized gym chain in the world with more than 700 locations in 38 states and 23 countries. Gold's Gym offers the latest equipment and services, including group exercise, personal training, cardiovascular equipment, group cycle, Pilates and yoga.  With nearly 3 million members worldwide, Gold's Gym helps all kinds of people achieve their potential through fitness. 

For more information, please visit www.goldsgym.com, www.facebook.com/goldsgym or www.twitter.com/goldsgym.  

SOURCE Gold’s Gym

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