Working out to raise money for charity is a blast. Not only are you taking the time to get in shape, but you're also helping others in the process. And best of all, you can pick the cause that you’re most passionate about to boost your motivation even more.
So gather your friends and pick a plan that sounds exciting to you. This might be an app designed to raise money for charity through exercise, or it might be a bike race through the mountains in a faraway place. You may even choose to run to raise dollars for children’s cancer research and treatment.
Here are six great ways to work out for a cause.
Run for St. Jude
How do you raise money for children’s cancer research and treatment through exercise? You run from Memphis, Tenn., to Peoria, Ill., through St. Jude Runs.
This is just one of 39 affiliated runs that have raised more than $40 million for St. Jude throughout the years. (The events raised $4.55 million in 2015 alone.) You can even set up a fundraising page to raise money for St. Jude in your own unique way.
St. Jude is a renowned children’s cancer treatment center headquartered in Memphis with affiliate locations in Illinois, Louisiana, Alabama, North Carolina, Missouri and Johnson City, Tenn.
The program is unique in that children’s families don’t pay a cent for treatment. That’s right -- it’s free. Expenses are taken care of with donations, meaning that parents can fully focus on their child's recovery without worrying about financial burdens.
If you are striving to run to raise money for children with cancer, this is just one example of people coming together to run to help our nation’s little ones. Pick the option that pulls your heartstrings. There are different kinds of runs throughout the country for many, many cancer organizations. You can choose from short to long runs or even walks. The important thing is that you choose a charity you adore and commit to the process.
She’s the First
If you’re not into running, consider Sweat for STF. She’s the First is an organization dedicated to providing scholarships to girls in low-income countries. The goal is to help first-generation graduates and cultivate the next generation of global leaders. Recipients are picked based on three factors: financial need, school merit and potential to become community leaders who make a positive impact.
And best of all, you can choose how you raise money. STF encourages fundraisers to get creative. If you like group fitness classes, you can plan a benefit class starring your fave teacher. Or you can have a lunge-a-thon in which you lunge for money. Really, what you do is all up to you. One hundred percent of the net proceeds you raise will go toward sponsoring a child.
stickK
What’s more motivating than the possibility of losing money? stickK is a goal-setting platform created by the brilliant economists at Yale. And it’s anything but boring.
When you sign up with stickK, you pick your goal and decide how long you’ll take to meet it and what’s at stake. In the process, you can sign a financially binding Commitment Contract (or not). They’ll have your credit card information. And if you fail, your money will be given to a charity that makes you cringe. You can even bring friends on board to monitor your progress and choose a referee to follow just how you’re doing.
Bike for Charity
We often think of running races when it comes to events designed to raise money for charity. But what about biking?
Biking is a great form of exercise that can help shed unwanted pounds and get your ticker in top shape. And committing to a biking event can provide the motivation you need to stick with training. If you haven’t biked in years, it’s easy to pick it back up. You’ll remember just how to ride sooner than you think.
When it comes to biking for charity, it’s fun to get creative. If you’re feeling adventurous, consider choosing an event in a faraway destination. Traveling for a race will up the ante when it comes to sticking with your goals. Plus, it’ll give you a great chance to see a new part of the country or even a different part of the world.
One popular option for hardcore bikers is the Ride to Defeat ALS. This ride traverses beautiful Colorado. But you don’t have to choose an option this challenging. With a little research, you can find a local biking event that takes place on flatter land. And if you can’t find an option you like, visit a local cycling shop for ideas.
Charity Bets
Charitybets.com is a fun app that helps runners raise money for a cause. According to Cosmopolitan, you pick an event to run in and then share the news of your running and fundraising goals with your family and friends. Then they can bet on how likely you will be to reach your goal by making a pledge. And after you’re done, you can share news about how you did on the site. Talk about a fun way to raise money for charity!
Obstacle Course Events
Obstacle course events, like the Tough Mudder, have become all the rage among fitness enthusiasts. Some of these types of events strictly raise money for charity, and others give you the option to raise money for charity on your own.
These events are awesome when it comes to getting in shape. For starters, you’ll want to prepare. You may be climbing over large walls and even cars. And you’ll probably cross through mud pits, so you could get scraped up.
Prepare with a trainer if you’re unfamiliar as to how obstacle course events work. The worst thing you could do is hurt yourself and end up with a lasting injury. Find out what the event you’re considering entails, and set a firm plan as to how you’ll prepare for it.
Easier obstacle course options include the Dirty Girl Mud Run, a 5K that easily adapts to many fitness levels, and the Insane Inflatable 5K, which includes an obstacle course of fun bouncy houses, slides and other attractions. They both benefit cancer charities.
Consider bringing a friend in on the action as well. This will give you a training buddy who can help you stay motivated in both the preparation process and the race itself.