Getting in shape is a community effort

For some people, fitness is not something they tackle at the new year. It's a year around endeavor.

Local businesses support their employees' efforts at wellness, and members of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce have banded together to participate in Shape Up Cape. This year will be the fifth year for Shape Up Cape, a contest where teams compete to see who can earn the most fitness points and win prizes. The big winners, however, are the people who improve their fitness.

Shape Up Cape, which begins in the spring and lasts through the summer, is the product of the Health and Human Services Committee of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

"It started from a belief that the only way long term we can affect health care costs is on the prevention side," said John Mehner, chamber director. "It was developed to encourage employers to encourage their employees to exercise."

Shape Up Cape works in three divisions ranging from small teams of two to four members, to large teams with eight to 10 members. Each team pays a small fee. Teams must consist of co-workers or corporate officers from the same chamber member organization.

Team members keep a log of their activities and the captain of each team reports each week's totals to the chamber's Shape Up Cape coordinator. Average points for 2005 range from 89 to 1972.

Each fitness activity is assigned a given number of points at three levels. Level 1 is light exercise such as walking, stretching and strength training. Level 2 gives points for more vigorous walking, biking, tennis and other competitive sports, and skating. Level 3 is for the serious jocks: aerobics, swimming, cardiovascular equipment use, jogging and basketball.

Winners are determined based on the average points per team member earned during the contest period.

Mehner says the chamber does not track the results of those participating, but is aware of success stories from some of the participants who have begun exercising and have lost pounds.

"It's hard to measure," Mehner said. "Some of our winners are people who exercise regularly anyway. Some are new to it."

Shape Up Cape is the first organized effort in Missouri, Mehner said. It is now being copied throughout Missouri and in other states.

"The governor (former Gov. Bob Holden) recognized it two years ago as one of the best fitness programs," Mehner said. "It's been copied by a lot of people. We looked at what other people were doing in other places and saw programs people were doing and modified them."

Employees seem to enjoy the competition and the creativity that goes in to choosing a team name. Among some of the names are I.T., Happens!, Natty Nordenians, St. Andrew Body and Soul, and Shivelbine Kickin' Brass.

It's not too early to start thinking about getting a team together and shaping up with Shape Up Cape in 2006.

Cheap ways to stay in shape

• Walk: It's something everyone can do, and all you need is a pair of shoes.
• Fitness Clubs: Shop for a club with a low monthly fee and join them to use their equipment.
• School Gyms: Check into getting access to a school gym, including local community colleges. You may have to volunteer or sign up to audit a course, but this can be a relatively low investment to use their facilities.
• Work Fitness Centers: Check with your employer or those of your immediate family to see if they have an on-site workout room or if they give discounts to use local gyms or fitness clubs.
• Community Centers: Check with the local senior center, parks department, after-school program centers, etc. to see if they have facilities available to the public for free or for a low fee. If you don't meet the requirements, ask about volunteering to earn the perks of using their equipment.
• Health Programs and Medical Centers: Check with your health plan, HMO, or local medical centers to see if they have workout facilities available. You may find a free or very inexpensive fitness or weight loss program they are offering as well.
• Recreation Centers: Check with your close friends and immediate family who live in apartment or condo complexes, senior living facilities, etc. as many have fitness centers. Check the rules of use.
• Weights: You don't need fancy equipment for resistance training. Check your pantry. Lift cans of soup or bags of dried beans. Check the weight on the label to determine how heavy the can is.