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Fair Ways to Do Weight Challenges With Different Body Frames & Weights

Weight challenges are very common in the workplace and workout facilities, as well as among running and other exercise groups. These competitions may be for money, for recognition or for other prizes. There are several methods for fairly measuring the winners in these types of competitions, regardless of different body types and shapes.

  1. Body Fat

    • Measuring weight loss using a standard scale is one of the oldest forms of weight loss measurement. Fat loss is a more effective method for determining winners in weight loss competitions. During exercise and dieting for a weight loss competition, some weight may actually be gained due to an increase in muscle that will eventually increase metabolism and weight loss. To accurately measure fat loss instead of weight loss, instruct contestants to stand on a scale that calibrates body fat. Contestants must stand barefoot so that the scale can accurately measure the percentage of body fat. Keep a weekly log of contestant's body fat percentages so that you know who loses the greatest percentage of body fat.

    Measurements

    • Measuring changes in body size is a great method for fairly determining winners in a weight loss competition. At the beginning of the competition, write down body measurements. Use a sewing tape measure to measure contestant's waists, upper arms, bust, hips and thighs. Regardless of body shape, when fat is lost these measurements will become smaller. As the weight loss challenge progresses, keep track of changes in the measurements. Add the inches lost from all parts of the body so you will know how many total inches contestants lose. For example, one contestant might lose five inches from her waist but only two inches off of her bust, while another contestant may lose two inches from her arms and only one inch from her waist. While measurements are not the best way to determine overall winners, they may be used as a percentage of a contestant's score.

    Percentages

    • Overall percentage of weight lost may be used to determine winners of a weight loss competition. For example, if one contestant begins the contest at 220 pounds and loses 60 pounds, the contestant would have lost 27 percent of her body weight. If another contestant begins at 280 pounds and loses 70 pounds, she would have lost 25 percent of her body weight. Although the second contestant lost more weight than the first, the first contestant actually lost a greater percentage of her body weight which would make the first contestant the winner.

    Gender

    • Create two separate competitions, one for males and one for females. Males naturally have a higher metabolism and more muscle mass than females, so pitting them against one another in a weight loss competition is unfair. Most males who complete the same diet and exercise regimen as women will lose weight and body fat more quickly than females. In order to have a fair weight loss competition males and females must compete separately.

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