Michael Bitney of Spooner, Wis., is the winner of the National Volunteer Fire Council's first annual Fired Up For Fitness Challenge. He was presented with a Cable Cross machine donated by FreeMotion Fitness on Aug. 13 in Denver.

Bitney, a 45-year-old district attorney, joined his local fire department after Sept. 11. After reading the statistics on firefighter fatalities from heart attacks, he started walking and working out at the gym regularly. His family soon noticed a difference in not only his physique but also in his attitude toward his new lifestyle.

“Instead of dreading getting out of bed or getting off the couch to go to the gym or go for a walk, I dreaded missing a workout,” said Bitney, who now exercises five days a week for at least an hour.

Since starting the challenge back in January, Bitney has lowered his blood pressure, cholesterol levels and standing heart rate. “No longer am I among the first guys to have to changes air bottles when packing out,” he said. “I've also found that regular exercise helps me deal with the real stress of being a husband, a dad, a coach, a prosecutor, a firefighter and a friend.”

The challenge is an online program where firefighters can log their daily physical activity and at certain milestones are rewarded. To date, more than 1,400 individuals are participating.

The challenge is part of the NVFC's Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program, which educates firefighters and their communities about the risks of heart attacks and other heart-related dangers.