PR ON THE GO August 18, 2023

Sweat the PR Game: How Fitness Challenges Propel Brands

In a world where the pulse of business beats faster than ever, entrepreneurs are constantly looking for innovative ways to engage audiences and put their brands in the spotlight. In the midst of this dynamic landscape, we propose a novel and unexpected PR strategy that taps into the realms of physical vitality and business prowess alike: fitness challenges.

We've tapped into the collective wisdom of our PR and growth experts, who have delved deep into the potential of using fitness challenges as a powerful PR tool. Whether the goal is to drive external engagement or strengthen internal relationships, these experts are ready to reveal the transformative power of combining fitness and public relations.

At a time when the World Health Organization (WHO) is sounding the alarm on a global physical activity crisis, highlighting the critical pillars of "active people," "active societies," "active environments," and "active systems," our experts shed light on the symbiotic relationship between brands and physical activity.

Brace yourself as we delve into why weaving activity into a brand's mission can be a game-changing maneuver, complemented by a treasure trove of imaginative ideas and existing campaigns that have harnessed the inherent energy of fitness challenges to pave the way for PR triumphs.

Promote Your Brand's Commitment To Health and Wellness

Emily Reynolds-Bergh, R Public Relations

"Fitness challenges can be a powerful PR tool for entrepreneurs looking to promote their brand's commitment to health and wellness. When used effectively, fitness challenges can generate buzz, increase brand awareness, and build stronger relationships with customers and employees alike. To leverage fitness challenges for external communications, consider partnering with influencers or local fitness studios to host a challenge that encourages community engagement. For internal communications, create a company-wide challenge to promote team building and healthy competition. Some creative campaign ideas include offering rewards for participation, sharing progress updates on social media, or donating a portion of profits to a fitness-related charity."

Wellness In The Workplace

Joe Troyer, Digital Triggers

"From my experience, entrepreneurs can leverage fitness challenges as a PR tool by hosting collaborative events with fitness influencers. In one instance at our agency, we partnered with a renowned fitness blogger for a month-long "Health and Hustle" challenge.

Our team members participated, shared progress on their social media, and even conducted friendly competitions. This not only fostered a sense of unity internally but also increased our visibility and reputation externally. Our brand was linked with the popular trend of wellness in the workplace, and this association significantly boosted our PR efforts."

Fitness and Social Responsibility

Derek Bruce, Skills Training Group

"Having walked this path myself, I vividly recall how we cleverly combined our company's passion for fitness with public relations. We introduced a company-wide marathon, inviting employees to participate and challenge their limits.

Notably, we tied this event to a charitable cause, raising funds for local schools with every mile run. The publicity it generated was tremendous. Media outlets flocked to cover the story, shining a spotlight on our commitment to fitness and community. Simultaneously, our internal relations soared as employees appreciated this blend of fitness and social responsibility."

Community Health Initiatives

Rafael Sarim Özdemir, Zendog Labs

"Entrepreneurs can utilize fitness challenges as a dynamic public-relations tool to simultaneously engage their audience, increase brand visibility, and project a positive corporate image. One compelling approach involves organizing an external fitness challenge with a philanthropic twist, such as a charity run or a community health initiative.

When a company initiates a health-focused event that also gives back to the community, it attracts the public eye and the media. This not only amplifies the company's visibility but also resonates positively with the public, associating the brand with health, community engagement, and social responsibility.

Therefore, this strategy effectively bridges fitness challenges with potent PR outcomes. Through this, entrepreneurs can create strong brand narratives that not only resonate with their target audience but also contribute to their wider communities."

“Fit for Innovation” Challenges

Michael Alexis, teambuilding.com

"Elevate PR with “Fit for Innovation” challenges. Externally, invite industry peers to join unique fitness quests that symbolize growth milestones. Internally, align fitness challenges with project achievements, reinforcing teamwork. This creative approach merges physical and professional progress, generating buzz and camaraderie that resonates in both PR and growth narratives."

“Sweat for Good” Competitions

Steve Dinelli, MarketerInterview.com

"Entrepreneurs can effectively utilize fitness challenges as a creative PR tool to enhance their external communications and relations. One example of this is by organizing a company-wide fitness competition called "Sweat for Good."

Here, employees are encouraged to participate in various physical activities, such as running, cycling, or swimming. The twist comes as an innovative charity component. Each employee selects a charity of their choice and commits to raising funds based on their individual fitness achievements throughout the challenge.

This not only promotes internal camaraderie and well-being but also showcases the company's commitment to social responsibility externally. Through press releases, social media posts, and engaging with local communities or news outlets about this unique initiative, entrepreneurs can generate positive attention for their brand while encouraging healthy habits among employees."

Neighborhood Fitness Challenges

Gerrid Smith, Texas Property Tax Loan Pros

"A wonderful way to get involved in your area is to host a neighborhood fitness challenge. Organize outdoor events such as group exercises, fun runs, or yoga classes in a nearby park or open space. In order to create a sense of community among the attendees, it is important to encourage them to talk to one another.

Document the meetings with videos and images, which you can then share on social media and community forums. Your public relations efforts will pay off in spades if you focus on cultivating stronger ties within the community."

Virtual Global Fitness Challenges

Tiffany Hafler, Blockchain Lawyer

"Extending your fitness challenge to a global scale by providing a virtual challenge accessible to participants from all over the world could be beneficial.

An engaging community where people can sign up, track their progress, and connect with people from various parts of the world could be built. Online platforms could spread the word about the participants' experiences and accomplishments. This all-inclusive strategy could highlight your company's worldwide dedication to wellness, increasing your PR exposure by appealing to a wider demographic."

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This article was published in collaboration with Featured.