The Team Tressel Fitness Challenge Round 2 is Here!

The Team Tressel Fitness Challenge is more than a school-based activity — it’s a statewide movement to teach and inspire Ohio’s next generation of leaders. And sign up for round 2 is open. Coming February 2, 2026!

By helping students build lifelong habits around fitness, healthy eating, and sleep, we’re laying the foundation for a brighter future in the classroom, in the workforce, and across every community.

What is the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge?

Led by Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, the challenge invites students in grades 3-8 to take ownership of their health by setting goals, tracking progress, and forming daily habits around fitness, nutrition, and sleep.

Coach Tressel believes that optimism, encouragement, and a strong support system are just as important to healthy living as exercise or diet. That spirit of hope, hustle, and heart is at the core of the challenge, motivating kids to show up for themselves and cheer each other on.

The challenge is:

• Student-led and designed to build self-discipline and confidence
• Flexible and wide-ranging, with activities that work for every ability level
• Backed by educators, coaches, and healthcare experts across the state
• Built to last, with follow-up engagement and future challenges planned

Round 2 of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge has been updated based on feedback from school leaders:

• The challenge is now open to students in grade 3 in addition to 4-8 grade.
• The challenge now lasts for 30 days and schools can plug it in when best fits their schedule.
• Students will focus on 5 activity groups: cardio, strength, flexibility, nutrition, and sleep.
• Students will receive workbooks based on their grade level, aimed to meet them where they are.

Why It Matters

Nearly one in three high school students in Ohio today are obese or overweight, and we want to change that! It starts with reaching kids at an early age and getting them excited about creating healthy habits and feeling good.

We know that when students are exercising, eating right, and getting good sleep, their focus improves, and so does their schoolwork.

Help Us Grow the Challenge

In round one, more than 700 schools participated, including almost 183,000 students. We want to double that number in round two! Help us reach more schools by spreading the word.

Schools can sign up now to participate in round 2, which starts February 2, 2026, by visiting TeamTressel.Ohio.gov.

Together, we can give every student in Ohio the chance to feel like a champion and build a healthier, stronger future for our entire state.

With questions, please email Team.Tressel@education.ohio.gov.

Follow the challenge on social media:

Twitter/X: @TeamTresselFC

Instagram: teamtresselfitnesschallenge

Facebook: Team Tressel Fitness Challenge

YouTube: @TeamTresselChallenge