The Challenge is Australia's toughest and most effective transformation competition! It is an online 12 week program of hard training and disciplined nutrition designed to not only achieve dramatic change in your physique, but also teach you what you need to know to maintain and even improve your gains for a lifetime. Challengers register online, posting a 'before' picture, and have the option to enter the Challenge Competition with a 'public' account (where other challenge participants can see your transformation and pictures) or skip the competition with a 'private' account (where only you can see your picture). Challengers then have 12 weeks to achieve the best transformation they can. After the 12 weeks, you post an 'after' picture and if you've met the requirements are in the running to win some fantastic prizes! The pictures are judged to determine who has made the biggest transformation from 'before' to 'after'!

During the Challenge you receive: all the training plans you will need for the 12 weeks; all the nutrition and meal plans you will need for the 12 weeks; shopping lists to help you prepare; tips and advice on the correct mindset and ways to ensure your success for the 12 weeks and beyond; the secrets to staying in the best shape of your life and to stay in control of your fitness and physique; advice on all supplements you will need for the 12 weeks; 24/7 Knowledge and Support from our team of 37 Professional Coaches and ambassadors; our coaches have decades of experience and most of our Ambassadors are our Top 10 men and women from the previous year's Challenges - real people who have lived and breathed the Challenge first hand ready to share their experience and knowledge with first time Challengers!

The next Challenge STARTS on Monday 4th September 2017.

Unfortunately you cannot purchase and follow the plans on your own outside of the set dates.

The Challenge is open to all men & women of all health and fitness levels and abilities. The only restriction is you must be 16 years or older to be a private participant, and 18 years or older to be a public participant, at the time of registration.

We have meal plans to suit Vegan and Vegetarian requirements. In addition, we also have a Vegan protein called Maxine's PURE that is suitable for Vegans, and those who are lactose and gluten-intollerant. 

You can complete the Challenge outside of Australia. If you are overseas during registration, then you can register and upload your before pics from outside Australia but must do the following:

• Take a picture as normal but hold a copy of a MAJOR OVERSEAS DAILY newspaper as proof of the date the pic was taken. Please note it must be a daily newspaper only and from a major capital city. No local or regional papers, or magazines will be acceptable unless via prior consent from the Challenge team.
• Complete the registration successfully online.
• After you have completed registration, send the Challenge Admin team an email (Challenge@aminoactive.com.au) explaining your situation and requesting an 'overseas' registration. In this email state how long you will be away, where you are and when you will be back in Australia.
• Include your official 'before' picture, with another that shows a close-up picture of the newspaper clearly showing the headline and date printed on the cover, as well as your full name and email you used to register.
• You will then receive email confirmation back from the Challenge team confirming the entry as OK or not. (In the unlikely event it is declined we will specify why).
• You will be then placed on our 'overseas registration list' (which only we see).
• When you return to Australia you will need to email the Challenge Admin team again to advise when you return to Australia and provide another photo with a current national newspaper as proof.

• *Please note that ALL the above must be done if you wish to register from overseas.

In order to be eligible for judging in the optional competition you must be residing in Australia for the MAJORITY of the Challenge (minimum 6 of the 12 weeks).

If you wish to do the entire Challenge outside of Australia you can but you just won't be eligible for judging and prizes.

If you are overseas when the Challenge finishes, you can still complete the process as long as you have access to the internet and Challenge website.

If you won't have access (or are unsure if you will) you can prepare your answers to the finishing questions in advance, take your photos, and give these along with your login details to someone who will have access to the internet, who can complete it on your behalf.

If you are unable to have someone do it for you, you can still participate in the Challenge but unfortunately you will not 'officially 'complete the Challenge, and simply will not be eligible for judging.

You have the choice to have either a Public or Private profile.

If you have a PRIVATE profile only you can see your photos and information.

If you have a PUBLIC profile it will only be visible to other logged in Challenge participants. Any and all information contained within a Public profile cannot be searched via Google or external sources.

If you have a Public account other challengers and voters from the public can see only the before/after/progress photos, any/all journal entries posted, and any fitness stats or information you have logged (eg weight, fitness test results etc). They will not however be able to see any of your private details like your phone number, or address, which are only recorded for the purposes of getting in contact with you or awarding prizes.

No we offer both gym and home training options. However if you do choose to train at home we do recommend having some basic equipment to get the most out of your program, including:

• a bench (adjustable if possible)
• a barbell with interchangable weights (or fixed of a few different weights)
• a dumbbell set with interchangable weights (or fixed of a few different weights)
• Fitball/Swiss Ball
• Resistance Bands (2 sizes recommended - light and medium or depending on your level)

Payments must be a single one-off payment for all programs, and can be done via Credit Card.

We do not refund for change of mind. For full information on our payment and refund policy please refer to our Terms & Conditions.

As well as providing you with all the necessary Training and Nutrition Programs you will also have full access to a large variety of online video tips about nutrition and training. Most importantly you will have access to the Challenge Coaches, Ambassadors, and the Challenge Community via our Forum for support! Even though we have separated the Challenge for men and women for judging purposes, one of the MOST important parts of the Challenge process is the community that develops between Challengers as the 12 weeks progresses – we are all in this together and here to help each other!!

Some people wish to do the Challenge anonymously, or only do it for themselves and not be part of the 'competition' side of it. Therefore everyone who registers is automatically given a 'Private' account. When you set up your profile in your DASHBOARD you will then have the option to choose a 'public' profile and enter into the competition.

You can choose to take your starting photo at any time in the week prior to the Challenge start date, or the first week of the Challenge.

Image requirements are as follows:

NEWSPAPER:

• You must be holding a copy of any nationally daily newspaper published in Australia (not local papers) with the front page clearly showing and within 24 hours of the newspapers date. This is done to verify the date the picture was taken.

CLOTHING:

• Male - Form-fitting shorts or bathers are preferred, showing legs and torso. 
• Female - two-piece bathing suit or bra and undies are best.
• *Be sure not to cut your legs off or cover them in long pants. If you cover up parts of your body it will be difficult to show your progress.

POSITION:

• Stand with your arms at your sides in the image—no posing - facing forwards.
• Hold a copy of a newspaper (as per above) clearly displaying the front page, but not covering your body (or as minimal as possible).
• Take your photo in front of a white or plain background if possible.
• Try to include your whole body from head to toe in the image, or as much as possible.
• Try to fill the photograph with your whole body. If you stand too far away, it may be hard to see your progress and great results.
• No picture can be treated or in any way enhanced after they have been taken. 

When you register you will only enter some basic details. When you set up your profile in your DASHBOARD once you have access when the Challenge starts you will then be able to upload 'before' photo.

Your first 4 weeks of training and nutrition plans will become available 1 week prior to the start of the Challenge.

We understand that every person and their lifestyle, preference and schedules are different. That is why we encourage people to use the plans as a guide. They will work the way they are, but you can also modify them to suit your needs.

You can mix and match both/2 programs. When you set up your profile in your DASHBOARD you select separate training and nutrition programs. You can choose the same (eg. LEAN / TONE & SHAPE) or you can choose a different training to nutrition. This is what makes it customisable. You can then change at any stage throughout the Challenge if you feel you need – e.g. if you're advancing in the training plan or you need to ramp up your fat burning diet.

This will become available 1 week prior to the Challenge start date.

No, joining or creating a Group is entirely optional, and simply an extra way to keep yourself motivated, accountable and on track.

All details (including photos, journal entries, stats and forum posts) are contained within the website and only visible to registered challengers. If you have a private profile then only your name will be visible to other challengers.

Grand Champion:
     • 5 Star Luxury Australian Holiday
     • Weekend in Melbourne for the Challenge Gala, to be held at the M.C.G on Saturday 16th December, including:
          * Tickets for you and 1 guest
          * Return flights for you from your nearest Major Airport (if required). Guest flights not included.
          * 2 nights' accommodation for you and your guest in a double or twin room at the Pullman Hotel from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th December.
          * Airport transfers
   • Maxine's/MAX'S Prize Pack valued at over $700 RRP
   • Official Top 10 Placegetters Medal
   • Opportunity to become a sponsored Ambassador for the next Challenge.

First Runner-up:
   • $1000 Cash Prize
   • Weekend in Melbourne for the Challenge Gala, to be held at the M.C.G on Saturday 16th December, including:
       * Tickets for you and 1 guest
       * Return flights for you from the nearest Major Airport (if required). Guest flights not included.
       * 2 nights' accommodation for you and your guest in a double of twin room at the Pullman Hotel from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th December.
       * Airport transfers
   • Maxine's/MAX'S Prize Pack valued at over $700 RRP
   • Official top 10 Placegetters Medal
   • Opportunity to become a sponsored Ambassador for the next Challenge.

Second Runner-Up:
   • $500 Cash Prize
   • Weekend in Melbourne for the Challenge Gala, to be held at the M.C.G on Saturday 16th December, including:
       * Tickets for you and 1 guest.
       * Return flights for you from your nearest Major Airport (if required). Guest flights not included.
       * 2 nights' accommodation for you and your guest in a double of twin room at the Pullman Hotel from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th December.
       * Airport transfers.
   • Maxine's/MAX'S Prize Pack valued at over $700 RRP
   • Official Top 10 Placegetters Medal
   • Opportunity to become a sponsored Ambassador for the next Challenge.

Remaining Top 10 place-getters:
   • Gala tickets for you and 1 guest to be held at the M.C.G on Saturday 16th December
   • Prize Pack valued at over $700 RRP
   • Official Top 10 Place-getters Medal
   • Opportunity to become a sponsored Ambassador for the next Challenge.

When you have a 'Private' profile no one can see your profile and photos except you, which means the judges are also unable to see your photos during the voting period.

All people that complete the Challenge will receive an official Challenge completion certificate.

In your Starter Pack you will receive:

• MAX'S Slow Release protein
• MAX'S Protein (depending on your goals)
• MAX'S Lab Series BETAPUMP Pre Workout
• MAX'S merchandise
• MAX'S product samples

VALUED AT $250 RRP!

If you are doing the Challenge then we highly recommend using the MAX'S supplements. The Challenge weekly meal plans on this website are designed specifically around the MAX'S Supplement range to ensure that you get the best results. MAX'S products are formulated to achieve results, with specific proteins, fat burners, recovery and other nutrients designed to support each individual nutrition plan. We use the highest quality ingredients to ensure the best results. We know some people may want to use other products and other brands. But be aware that not all supplements are of the highest quality or true to label claims. These poorer quality or unsuitable formulas will definitely reduce the effectiveness of your program, so insist on the best. Make sure the supplements you choose are of the highest quality from reputable suppliers and specifically suited to your training goals.

A quick note on quality. MAX'S products use only the highest quality proteins sourced from top manufacturers in Australia, New Zealand, the US and Europe, making our protein supplements amongst the highest quality anywhere on the globe. Our amino acid and metabolism boosting formulations use only the highest quality pharmaceutical grade ingredients and botanicals, and all our products undergo stringent Quality Assurance Testing, GMP testing, FDA testing and micro biological analysis, and are all manufactured in Australian Food Standards, TGA or FDA approved facilities to ensure you get pure and potent supplements that you can take with confidence. To ensure you are getting optimum results make sure the supplements you buy have these standards as a minimum.

When registering for the Challenge you have an option to choose which program you would like to follow based on your fitness goals. Please find program descriptions below:

MASS – Beginner
Designed for men who:

• are relatively new to serious weight training programs
• are naturally 'skinny' with a fast metabolism
• are NOT currently carrying a large amount of body fat

If you are just starting out on a weight training program and you're typically a skinny or naturally lean person with a fast metabolism and you want to add some muscular size and strength then this "MASS" program is for you. This program is designed to add quality muscle and size to your body over 12 weeks. The word "quality" is key, as the plan is to build good solid muscle not fat! The object of this plan is to pack on as much size and muscle as you can during the first 6 – 8 weeks then adjust your diet and training over your final 4 weeks to lean up a little and reveal your amazing new muscular body!

MASS – Intermediate
Designed for men who:

• have solid experience in weight training programs
• like eating big and training hard & heavy!
• are ready to get serious about getting maximum results in size

If you are someone who has trained for some time but never really got serious about getting maximum results, then this program is for you. We want you to train big, eat big, rest big, and do it consistently for 12 weeks. It's a solid commitment but we guarantee great results if you stick to the plan! You will go all out with heavy training and a high protein and high kilojoule diet for your first 8 weeks. Then in your last 4 weeks you will tighten up your diet and up your fat burning workouts to burn off some fat and reveal your awesome new mass. If you like hard heavy training and big eating you're going to enjoy this intermediate level program.

LEAN – Beginner
Designed for men who:

• are currently carrying a reasonable amount of body fat
• are relatively new to serious weight training programs
• want a lean and muscular physique
• may have been in shape in the past and want to turn back the clock !

If you are carrying a fair amount of body fat and your goal is a lean and muscular body, then this LEAN program is for you. It is designed for trainers who haven't done much serious training before, or for someone who may have been in shape some years ago and wants to work back to good shape. You will work hard in the gym, get heavily into fat burning cardio workouts, and change your diet around to stimulate maximum fat burning. In previous Challenges trainers on this Shred program can typically can burn off 10 – 15 kgs, and in some cases much more, while making some great muscle gains.

LEAN – Intermediate
Designed for men who:

• are currently in reasonable shape and carrying some good muscle tone
• have solid experience in serious weight training programs.
• that are currently training and regulars at the gym
• want to take their physiques to the next level
• want a 'competition' type preparation and physique

If you are in reasonably good shape but would like to take your physique to the next level this is the program for you. Typically you will have been training for some time and have built a good base of muscle, but you may be carrying a layer or fat that is hiding your progress. This program will help to get you really shredded and muscular to create a fitness model / magazine cover look with defined muscles and six pack abs. It involves 12 weeks of solid weight training, plenty of cardio, and a disciplined diet, with the reward of a body that many will admire but few can achieve!

Your profile will include your 'before' photo, your chosen program, and your reason for starting the Challenge. It will also include your starting weight and measurements, and your starting fitness test results, which can be updated every 4 weeks. You will also have a section to write journal entries and add photos so you (and others if you are public) can see your progress and read your journey).

You will get an initial phone call at the start of the Challenge, then you will fill out an assessment form at the end of week and your coach will respond on what they believe you should be focusing on the next week. This will likely be via email. Your Coach will also be available as their schedule permits to help with issues you may encounter during your Challenge within reason.

Your online Personal training will start when the Challenge officially starts on Monday 6th February. 

No, this is chosen for you based on Coach availability. Coaches will be assigned on a first come first served basis.

No, however you can request they contact you through our contact page and they will follow up by email or phone.

A few important things to remember to use the Social Hub to it's maximum: 

1. You can login either using Facebook or Twitter or Create an account using the Stackla 'Create your account' tab. Follow the steps and will have your own Stackla login and password. You can use this to interact with people via our Social Hub. 
2. You can also click on 'Edit your profile' located on the top right hand corner of the Social Hub when you click on your profile icon. You can use this to connect your social accounts like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. 
3. When posting on any of your social accounts about the Challenge use the hashtags #maxchallenge17 #wearechallenge for the MAXS Challenge and #maxineschallenge17 #wearechallenge for the Maxine's Challenge. Our Social Hub will pick up your post if it contains these hashtags.
4. Feel free to comment using the comment option located at the bottom of every tile in the Social Hub. You can also 'Like' posts as well as share them across your own Social Channels. 

Why the Social Hub: 

• We use the Social Hub to bring all the commentary online across the board on every social channel talking about the Challenge to the one place.
• We provide you with a tailor-made social experience for the entire 12 weeks and more.
• We want our Challengers to see more of their social content, we give it to them. We showcase it all into a single page where you can view, share and interact. At the Challenge we take the pain out of social.

Check out the Challenge Magazines online at ISSUU, download or just read online for FREE!

http://issuu.com/search?q=maxines+challenge

Unfortunately registering your interest to receive email updates is not the same as officially registering for the challenge, so you not be able to use this to 'login'. You will need to click 'Join Now' and complete the registration process prior to the Challenge start date.