Fitness Challenges

Date: January 5 to January 31

Location: EUREC Fitness Floor

Time: During operational hours

Description: Kickoff the New Year with energy and motivation! The Jumpstart January Challenge is designed to help you build healthy habits and get moving right from the start of the year. Test your vertical jump abilities - jump as high as you can and paste a sticky note into the wall. The higher your vertical jump, the higher power you produce!

Sign up with one of our Fitness Attendants and let's see what you've got!

Open to UTRGV Students & UREC Members, for more information please email recfitness@utrgv.edu. 

Date: February 1 to February 28

Location: EUREC Fitness Floor

Time: During operational hours

Description: This challenge is all about muscular endurance with a barbell curl static hold. Participants are allowed 3 attempts to see how long they can last holding the barbell in the curl position.

Sign up with one of our Fitness Attendants and let's see what you've got!

Open to UTRGV Students & UREC Members, for more information please email recfitness@utrgv.edu. 

Date: February 02 to February 28, 2026

Location: Online (V-link)

Time: Anytime

Description: 

The Puppy Love Challenge is a fun Valentine’s-themed event for students who want to get outside, de-stress, and spend time with their furry best friends. To participate, simply take your pet for a walk, track your steps or distance, and upload a photo of your results to V-Link. Whether you have Valentine’s plans or not, this challenge is a great reminder that love comes in many forms — and our pets are always there to show it. 

Open to UTRGV & TSC Students, for more information please email recfitness@utrgv.edu.

Date: February 11, 2026

Location: BUREK Fitness Floors

Time: 12 - 3 PM

Description: Fall head over heels for the burn! Join us for Love at First Sit, a Valentine-themed wall sit challenge where strength, endurance, and determination take center stage. Whether you're competing solo or cheering on a friend or “crush,” this is the perfect way to celebrate fitness, fun, and friendly competition. 

Open to UTRGV & TSC Students, for more information please email recfitness@utrgv.edu. 

Date: March 1 to March 31

Location: EUREC Fitness Floor

Time: During operational hours

Description: Ready to improve your upper body strength? Participants have three categories to bench 135, 185, or 225 for a as many reps as possible for their change to win a prize. Winners are determined by total reps completed in their respective weight category.

Sign up with one of our Fitness Attendants and let's see what you've got!

Open to UTRGV Students & UREC Members, for more information please email recfitness@utrgv.edu. 

Date: March 04, 2026

Location: BUREK Racquetball Court 2

Time: 12 - 3 pm

Description: 

Pair up and put your strength to the test! Teams will deadlift together for a shot at prizes for the heaviest lift, best form, and most spirited duo. Bring the power, teamwork, and hype! 

How it works:

• Participants must compete in pairs. 
• Both partners must lift the bar at the same time for the rep to count. 
• Only tandem deadlift reps performed during the event will be counted. 

Important rules:

• Teams must use proper form: hips back, neutral spine, controlled lift and descent. 
• A rep must start and finish with both partners lifting together. 
• Heaviest Combined Lift is based on the team’s heaviest successful tandem rep.

Open to UTRGV & TSC Students, for more information please email recfitness@utrgv.edu. 

Date: April 1 to April 30

Location: EUREC Track

Time: During operational hours

Description: Test your cardiovascular endurance with this timed sprint test! Participants will complete a 0.5 mile (5 laps) run for time on the upstairs track. Fastest time wins a prize.

Sign up with one of our Fitness Attendants and let's see what you've got!

Open to UTRGV Students & UREC Members, for more information please email recfitness@utrgv.edu. 

Date: April 01 - April 30, 2026

Location: Online (V-link)

Time: Anytime

Description: Step into spring with stronger legs! Complete as many StairMaster flights as you can and submit your progress on V-Link. The top participant with the most flights will win UREC swag and Buff Bunny bragging rights!

How it works:

• All stair flights must be completed on a StairMaster or similar stair-climbing machine. 
• Participants must submit progress on V-Link with screenshot proof of total flights completed. 

Important rules:

• Only entries completed within the event dates will count toward the challenge. 
• Any altered or falsified submissions will result in disqualification. 
• Stay safe, use proper form, and listen to your body while participating. 
• The top finishers with the highest verified number of flights will win UREC swag. 

Open to UTRGV & TSC Students, for more information please email recfitness@utrgv.edu. 

Date: April 13, 2026

Location: BUREK Basketball Court #3

Time: 11 am - 2 pm

Description: Test your speed, agility, and accuracy in this high-energy obstacle course! Participants will race through a short obstacle course designed to get their heart rate pumping, then head straight to the free-throw line. You’ll have 60 seconds to sink as many free throws as possible while fatigued. Hoops & Obstacles blends cardio, coordination, and competition into one exciting challenge. 

How it works:

• Participants must complete the full obstacle course before attempting free throws. 
• Once at the line, you will have 60 seconds to make as many free throws as possible. 
• Only baskets made within the 60-second timer will count. 

Important rules:

• Standard free-throw rules apply to shooters who must stay behind the line. 
• Any missed or incomplete obstacles will result in a time penalty or score deduction (as determined by staff). 
• Proper athletic footwear is required. 
• Unsafe behavior or disregard for staff instructions may result in disqualification. 
• The participant with the highest number of successful free throws wins. 
• Ties will be decided with a 30-second shoot-off. 

Open to UTRGV & TSC Students, for more information please email recfitness@utrgv.edu. 

Date: May 1 to May 31

Location: EUREC Fitness Floor

Time: During operational hours

Description: Test working memory and focus under fatigue! Patrons will perform a simple memory-based workout. Every move creates a memory—get active while reflecting positive moments! 

Sign up with one of our Fitness Attendants and let's see what you've got!

Open to UTRGV Students & UREC Members, for more information please email recfitness@utrgv.edu. 

Date: June 1 to July 31

Location: Online via V-Link registration form

Description: Ready to push your limits and stay active this summer? Join us for the 400-minute challenge! Whether you're at the rec, at home or outdoors, this challenge is designed to keep you moving and consistent with your fitness goals.

Open to UTRGV Students & UREC Members, for more information please email recfitness@utrgv.edu. 

Date: June 1 to June 30

Location: EUREC Fitness Floor

Time: During operational hours

Description: This challenge is all about core strength and endurance.  Participants have one minute to perform as many sit-ups as possible.

Sign up with one of our Fitness Attendants and let's see what you've got!

Open to UTRGV Students & UREC Members, for more information please email recfitness@utrgv.edu. 

Date: July 1 to July 31

Location: EUREC Fitness Floor

Time: During operational hours

Description: This challenge is about lower-body power, coordination, and athletic performance.  Each participant gets three attempts to achieve their farthest Broad Jump.  Get ready to POP OFF the ground and stick the landing!

Sign up with one of our Fitness Attendants and let's see what you've got!

Open to UTRGV Students & UREC Members, for more information please email recfitness@utrgv.edu.