The nation’s healthiest community is flexing that title with a monthlong City of Falls Church Fitness Challenge, which focuses on both mental and physical well-being.
Now through April 30, residents and city employees of all ages and abilities can mark off activities on a Fitness Passport Bingo Board that they can print or pick up at Falls Church City Hall, Mary Riley Styles Public Library or the Parks and Recreation department building. You won’t find a “free space” on it, but you will find 36 ways to put wellness first.
Options include taking a mindful walk in a city park, writing or drawing three things you’re grateful for, trying a new sport, and taking a 24-hour digital detox from screens and devices. Complete six activities and earn a Fitness Challenge decal. Finish half to score a pair of branded sports socks or knock out 32 to get a duffel bag.
“The Bingo Board is an intentionally playful and inclusive way for everyone in the Little City to feel welcome to participate,” says Mary Catherine Chase, the city’s communications director. “As spring is now in full swing, it’s a great way to challenge our community to get out and enjoy our natural environment, connect with one another, and engage in services in our local community that empower positive mental health, wellness and fitness activities.”
There are all kinds of ways to fill the bingo cards, says Mayor Letty Hardi. “We’re small but mighty. We have big and small trails for a morning run, parks and green spaces for some playtime or a recharging meditation session, local businesses for pretty much any kind of workout,” Hardi says. “Because we’re so compact and walkable, it’s easier to choose a walk or bike ride to pick up groceries or get dinner out or meet our other daily needs, which can be a healthier habit to try out with a little nudge via the challenge.”
As part of the initiative, Falls Church will host several pop-up events this month. They include Slow Flow Yoga on April 8 with Jenny Mayo Mind & Movement, a sound bath workshop on April 13 and Orangetheory Bootcamp & Stretch on April 16. Hardi herself will be holding Walking Office Hours on April 11, during which residents can hike a trail at Howard E. Herman Stream Valley Park with her while sharing their ideas and thoughts.
“We’re all so busy that I find it easier to focus on my health and fitness when it can be feathered into my daily life,” Hardi says. “I hope the challenge inspires us to try something new.”
Wellness-related businesses in Falls Church are trying to make it easy to do just that. More than 20 of them are offering discounts and specials throughout the duration of the challenge. For instance, take a free group exercise class at Balanced Female Fitness, save money on a new bike or accessories at Bikenetic, or try a Pilates Suspension Training Class or MELT Foam Roller class at Pilates at Stacey’s.
“The challenge is intentionally focused on accessibility, mental health and wellness activities that benefit participants throughout the month and are also great activities to build into healthy habits to practice throughout the year,” Chase says.
The initiative is a spinoff of the former “Mayor’s Fitness Challenge,” a healthy competition among Fairfax City, the town of Vienna and Falls Church to log the most minutes of exercise in a certain time period.
“Sadly, the other jurisdictions dropped out [this year] and as the new mayor, I didn’t want to lose the good intent behind the competition,” says Hardi, who was elected mayor of Falls Church in January 2024. “I thought it was a good opportunity to revamp and rebrand the effort and make it more inclusive. I wanted to broaden it to include mental health, involve our fitness and wellness small businesses, and design the challenge to invite the whole community, like my own school-aged kids, to easily join.”
Hardi says she plans for the event becomes an annual one. “We’ll see what the community feedback is, but I hope it becomes a popular tradition.”