BANGOR – Bangor Y staffers are engaged in the Biggest Loozah Challenge and have begun working hard toward a goal of improved health. The 12-week challenge is designed to build better health. It kicked off with a weigh-in Jan. 18.

The 15 participants are divided into three teams of five, each led by a personal trainer whose job it is to guide his or her team through the 12 weeks. The trainer serves as a coach, pushing the team to achieve physical fitness, supporting them with encouragement and teaching them to live healthier lives.

The program includes strength training three days per week and cardiovascular training five days per week, plus three team competitions and a weekly weigh-in. Each participant pays a fee to take part in the challenge.

In the first nine days of the challenge, each trainer has taken a different approach.

The program is geared toward the ready-to-be-fit – those who do not exercise regularly and need to lose at least 30 pounds. A weekly incentive allows the team with the highest percentage of weight loss in one week to choose from a few prizes, including the elimination of one player from a competing team for the cumulative weigh-in the following week, and one extra hour of personal training. The trainers don’t expect the last choice to be very popular.

In the end, the team with the highest percentage of weight loss over the 12-week period will receive a prize, plus the individual with the highest percentage of weight loss will win the grand prize of a shopping spree or spa weekend.

Although measured in weight loss, the program focus isn’t just about losing weight. The participants are learning the benefits of exercise, how to exercise properly, about nutrition and food balance. They are building bonds with teammates, and having fun despite the struggles to meet the challenges of the trainers.

“Even if they lose 5 to 10 pounds each, their hearts will be healthier,” said Sharon Gotlieb, assistant director of health and fitness and one of the team trainers. “They’re learning there’s not just one way to do it [become healthier] and we’ve put it into one overall package so they’ll have fun and get more healthy.”

The challenge is being done on a trial basis. It is a pilot program, and organizers plan to make the program available to the Bangor Y members soon.

“We’re offering this program because it’s in line with our mission to build healthy spirit, mind and body,” said Rob Reeves, Bangor Y chief executive officer. “Employee wellness is important to our organization and we are supportive of these folks who have chosen to make a change for better health.”