With more than one million children from over 2,240 schools taking part, the first ever Fitter Schools UK Challenge, supported by Life Fitness, is reportedly proving to be a big success.

Football legend, Ian Wright, who is leading the campaign to get the UK's school children more active, visited schools in London, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham at the end of May to provide support and encouragement to some of the pupils participating in the challenge.

The Challenge consists of two assessments to determine fitness levels before and after a training period. The assessments are simple activities and are in line with the existing curriculum guidelines. Lesson ideas are provided in the challenge pack to support those seeking to improve their scores.

The winning school in the primary and secondary school categories will be assessed by calculating a total score for each school on four activities with a range of standards consisting of bronze, silver and gold that children have to achieve. The difference in scores over the two assessments will determine the percentage improvement of a school.

The second round of assessments are due to take place at the beginning of June and once all the results have been collated, the schools showing the greatest improvement in their pupil's fitness levels will be honoured at the prize giving ceremony later in the month.

Life Fitness has pledged its support to the Challenge by offering an exclusive £45,000 prize to the secondary school winner. The prize consists of strength training equipment from the Life Fitness Circuit Series, as well as a range of cardiovascular machines. The investment will also include training on the new equipment from the Life Fitness Academy.

This development will further boost the current prize fund which already includes £5,000 of sports equipment and coaching services, presented by Ian Wright.

Lawra Joseph, Marketing Manager at Life Fitness said: "We're all aware that regular physical activity for youngsters is necessary to improve the health, fitness and wellbeing of the nation in years to come, so we're very proud to be playing our part in encouraging children to get more active by supporting this great initiative.

"Our involvement and investment is an effective way of demonstrating our commitment to important causes and they don't come much more important than improving the health and fitness of our school children.”

Next Generation Clubs, operator of 18 leading health and racquets clubs across the UK, has pledged its support to the Fitter Schools UK Challenge as its key partner.

The Challenge is also supported by Organix, campaigners and producers of healthy food for babies and children. Tesco is also supporting the Challenge as part of its commitment to helping customers lead a healthy lifestyle through diet and activity and will be providing 50,000 Sport for Schools and Clubs vouchers as prizes for regional winners. WellChild, a UK charity dedicated to the needs of sick children and their families, has also pledged its support.