An impressive 4,347,216 steps and 5,695.76 bike kilometers were achieved in the pedometer & bike challenge 2020!
How were the Health and Environment Days (GUt) at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences supposed to take place this year? Were they even allowed to take place? Eric Schön, Environmental Coordinator at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, asked himself this question in April 2020, as neither students nor employees were at the university due to the Covid-19 situation. An emergency operation was set up, courses were held digitally, contacts had to be avoided, distancing rules had to be observed, sport and exercise were initially only allowed to take place alone and outdoors. How were we supposed to offer moving breaks, mobile massages, guided back, stretching and gymnastics programs, etc.? All the things that used to take place at the university together with therapists, employees and students?
No chance of implementing any of this in this extraordinary situation? Wait a minute: sport and exercise outdoors, alone or in pairs, were allowed? That was exactly the idea! After all, students and employees could be invited to take part in the pedometer challenge. No one had to come to the university and all other Covid-19 regulations could be adhered to. Yes, this was supposed to be a feasible way - in the truest sense of the word - that could also be realized from the home office and homelearning.
The pedometer challenge could also be used to encourage people to exercise from home, especially if they didn't have to walk or cycle between home and university. After all, cycling to the university is currently also falling by the wayside. But that doesn't have to be the case either, thought Eric Schön:
"...if we can count our steps, then we can count our bike kilometers too! We launched a pedometer challenge and a new bike challenge between our university and the Zittau city administration. Especially in this Covid-19 situation, we wanted to motivate people to get out into the fresh air, keep moving and leave the car at home!"
”"As a result, we can look back on 14 days full of steps and kilometers and take our hats off to all participants who once again achieved top performances...", said Eric Schön at the award ceremony for both disciplines.
”This was carried out on 10.07.2020 on the Zittau campus, in front of House Z IV, in compliance with all regulations regarding the Covid-19 situation.
The goal of encouraging exercise was more than exceeded! All steps added together resulted in a proud figure of 4,347,216 steps and all bike kilometers added up to 5,695.76.
Pedometer challenge
Cycling challenge
Finally, we would like to emphasize once again that everyone was a winner!
Many thanks to everyone for taking part, for the wonderful teamwork and for carrying out the pedometer and bike challenge 2020 together!
Together we proved that even extraordinary situations can be managed and mastered! Best wishes and all the best for the future!
