Fitness enthusiasts flocked to the Express Fitness gym last Wednesday to burn calories while jamming to the sounds of high-tempo soca music during a Heineken 0.0 takeover of the “HIIT Factory”.

The exciting session marked the successful completion of the ‘Cheers to a Dry Lent Challenge’ — a partnership involving Red Stripe’s Drink & Live Responsibly campaign, Heineken 0.0, and Express Fitness which invited platinum members to abstain from alcohol throughout Lent and focus on health and fitness.

The HIIT Factory came alive as adrenaline rushed and sweat dripped during instructor Adrian Thomas’s intense hour-long soca-themed cardio class. Luckily, the fully stocked Heineken 0.0 bar was ready to provide relief during breaks.

Thirty brave participants accepted the challenge to pursue a healthier physique and compete for a three-month free platinum gym membership courtesy of Heineken 0.0.

After all the lost pounds and inches were tallied, three dedicated divas — Alae Jumpp, Isabelle Lewis, and Samantha Brown — claimed the top three spots. Participants in the takeover event also completed mini fitness spot challenges for a chance to win branded swag.

“So many of us have fallen short of our fitness goals, but, a bit of healthy competition is sometimes just the motivator we need to go beyond our comfort zone and achieve those goals. I believe this is why the Cheers to a Dry Lent Challenge was so appealing,” said Stacy-Ann Smith, Red Stripe brand and corporate public relations manager.

“It is inspiring to see more people pursuing health and wellness. We are proud to have a product like Heineken 0.0 that fits perfectly into that lifestyle by offering the same incredible taste without the alcohol and a fraction of the calories,” added Smith.

Challenge winner Alae Jumpp dropped a whopping 12 pounds and several inches. She was delighted to collect her golden first prize box containing her three-month gym membership and other goodies.

“Losing weight is a combination of diet and exercise, so you have to address both areas. Having a trainer or even friends who can act as accountability partners will also help keep you on track,” was Jumpp’s recommendation to people who want to kick-start their health journey.

One of the strongest supporters of the challenge, Express Fitness trainer Rodney Martin, was proud to announce that he had recommended the programme to more than 15 participants in his fitness class, including challenge winner Jumpp.

“What I loved about this challenge is that it was a win-win situation regardless of the outcome. I stressed to my clients that, even if they didn’t win the three-month membership, they would have still benefited. Whether the goal is weight loss or even toning the body, there was something to gain from participating.

“Challenges like this are excellent because they encourage people to be more mindful of their fitness, diet, and health,” declared Martin.