This January The holidays are in full swing, and while December is filled with celebrations, commitments, and plenty of treats, it can also be a hard time to stay active. With Minnesota’s winter settling in and the new year just around the corner, Crow Wing Energized has the perfect way to help you start 2026 feeling energized—not exhausted.

The Beat the Winter Blues Challenge launches January 5th and runs for four weeks through February 1st. It is the perfect timeframe to establish healthy habits that can last all year long. Over the past several challenges, more than 400 Crow Wing County residents have laced up their sneakers, synced their devices, and discovered that getting fit can actually be fun when you’re doing it alongside friends and neighbors.

“Have more frequent challenges – I love them!” said one enthusiastic participant, echoing the overwhelmingly positive feedback Crow Wing Energized has received. The results speak for themselves: challenge participants consistently report increased motivation to exercise, more daily steps, and exercising more days per week than before joining. But perhaps the most powerful outcome is the sense of accountability that comes from being part of a team.

The Power of Teamwork

Exercise experts have long known that accountability is the number one factor in whether people stick to their fitness routines, and Crow Wing Energized has built their challenge around this principle. Rather than going it alone through the darkest, coldest months of the year, participants join forces with up to four teammates who help keep each other motivated and moving. “It is a fun way to connect with friends!,” explained one participant, highlighting how the challenge transforms exercise from a solitary chore into a social activity that brings the community together when it’s needed most.

Simple, Free, and Accessible

The beauty of the Beat the Winter Blues Challenge lies in its simplicity. The program uses a free app called “Big Team Challenge” that does most of the heavy lifting for participants. Here’s how it works:

A team captain sets up a team and invites up to three other members to join, creating a team of four. Participants can sync their smartwatch or fitness device to the app, which automatically tracks their activity throughout the day. The app even converts other forms of exercise—like swimming, cycling, weight lifting or yoga—into equivalent steps, ensuring that all types of movement count toward your goals.

Don’t have a smartwatch? No problem. Participants can manually add their workouts, making the challenge accessible to everyone regardless of their technology. To keep things exciting, Crow Wing Energized provides extra bonus challenges throughout the four weeks, plus prizes to reward participants’ hard work and dedication.

Community Support Makes It Possible

Crow Wing Energized is always seeking prize donations from local businesses to help motivate participants. Items related to physical activity or healthy living. Everything from water bottles and yoga mats to healthy snack baskets or gym memberships—make perfect prizes. Local businesses interested in supporting the challenge are encouraged to reach out.

This community involvement reflects the heart of what Crow Wing Energized does: working to “make the healthy choice the easy choice” throughout Crow Wing County. The movement challenges represent just one of many ways the organization is helping residents prioritize their health and wellness in practical, enjoyable ways.

Join the Movement

With winter’s grip tightening and the new year beckoning with fresh possibilities, there’s no better time to commit to moving more. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete looking for extra motivation or someone taking the first steps toward a more active lifestyle, the Beat the Winter Blues Challenge offers the structure, support, and social connection to help you succeed. Gather three friends, family members, or coworkers, scan the QR code to register, and get ready to move your body. The dark days of winter might be inevitable, but feeling sluggish and isolated doesn’t have to be. Join the Crow Wing Energized movement challenge and discover how much easier—and more fun—healthy living can be when your community is right there with you, step by step.

Written by Rena Bolt