So who's the fittest of them all?

By Tiffany Chen

Universities in the Pac-10 want to bring the same competitive school spirit that thrives at football and basketball games to the gyms, walking paths and playing fields on their campuses. And this time, faculty and staff will be among the competitors sweating it out to reign supreme over their counterparts at other Pac-10 campuses, including UCLA's arch-rival, USC.

Welcome to the first annual Pac-10 Fitness Challenge, presented November 5-9 by the recreation departments of the Pac-10 universities. For five days, Bruin faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters will be logging in their physical activity daily, trying to accumulate the most miles and win the title — and bragging rights — of the most active Pac-10 school.

Organizers at UCLA, with its distinction of being the only university to hold 100 NCAA titles, immediately understood that this was a fun, inclusive way for Bruins to show school spirit and increase fitness awareness at the same time.

"We hope to use the spirit of friendly competition as a means to help promote and activate the campus community to the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle," said Mick Deluca, director of UCLA Recreation. "As Bruins, of course, we would also like to win the designation as most active Pac-10 campus."

Every minute you spend walking to class or the office, biking, swimming, playing a sport or working out at the John Wooden Center or elsewhere will count toward the campus total.

Register today at the Web site listed below, then start logging in your physical activity every day. Miles will be calculated automatically based on total minutes of the activity completed. A weighted score based on each university's enrollment will be used to determine the winner.

To promote a Bruin victory, UCLA Recreation will hold a series of fitness events. Join a SuperWalk at Drake Stadium, or the Spinning Marathon or Perpetual Motion workout on an elliptical trainer at the Wooden Center to receive a free Pac-10 Fitness Challenge T-shirt.

To register and find out more about the week's heart-pumping events — and to print out a free one-week activity pass to use UCLA Recreation facilities even if you're not currently a recreation member — visit www.recreation.ucla.edu/pac10challenge.