COLUMBUS, Ohio – Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel on Monday announced that Ohio schools can now sign up to participate in the next Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, which will begin Feb. 2, 2026.
Tressel also announced updates to the challenge based on feedback received from school participants.
“We saw a lot of positive impacts through the fall challenge and learned how to make it even better for the future,” Tressel said. “We want our young people to think about their health and well-being and how it can help them long term.”
Schools who participated in the fall challenge are automatically enrolled in the next challenge unless they choose to opt out.
“The work that the lieutenant governor is doing through the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge is making a positive impact on the lives of so many children across Ohio,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “By encouraging our kids to create healthy habits from a young age, and by giving them the chance to see how much better they feel when they get good exercise, sleep and eat nutritious foods, we are setting a foundation for our next generation of Ohioans to prioritize their health and well-being and carry those habits with them for the rest of their lives.”
The challenge will now be available for students in grades three through eight, expanding to one additional grade level from the fall challenge. Students will receive challenge workbooks dedicated to their grade level, encouraging them to personalize their goals as they move throughout the challenge.
“It’s been amazing to see so many kids across the state excited about their health and determined to achieve their goals,” said Ted Ginn Jr., challenge captain. “The impact this has already had on students, their schools and their families has been fun to watch. I’m glad I have the opportunity to work on the challenge and act as a role model for Ohio’s next generation of leaders.”
Based on feedback received from school leaders across the state, the curriculum for the next challenge has also been updated to encourage students to build on their goals at each medal level. Students will create their goals from a list of activity options in the five categories of Cardio, Strength, Flexibility, Nutrition and Sleep. After each level, students will reflect on their progress during “Quiet Time” before setting goals for the next level.
“We heard from school leaders that one of the best parts of the challenge was allowing students to set their own goals and then reflect on what they did,” Tressel said. “It made them think about why they were doing this and how it can make them a better person. We streamlined the curriculum for the winter challenge to allow students to create a more focused plan and work on the things that are most important to them without being overwhelmed.”
The challenge was designed to be completed by students before, during or after school. Flexibility is built in for schools who desire a more active role.
To sign up for the next challenge, click HERE.
Pictured at top: Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel is seen in this image captured from video. (Team Tressel Fitness Challenge)