An incredible local response has seen 526 residents registered as participating in the 12 week health and fitness challenge plus more who are being swept up in support of family and friends.

So far Ararat and district residents have notched up over 80 million steps in just four weeks; people have been attending the free weekly fitness sessions that are on offer and in some communities groups of people are coming together to walk and exercise while 250 people attended a workout with Michelle Bridges last weekend at the YMCA.

"I am so proud of this community and the way we have taken on this challenge," Ararat Rural City Mayor Cr Ian Wilson said.

"What we have been experiencing is a community movement that has seen people supporting each other in such a positive way. Strangers are now talking to each other about health and wellbeing and congratulating each other for what they have achieved so far.

"The Biggest Loser filming has attracted a very positive economic benefit across the community within our municipality; this has come from over 100 production crew members here regularly in Ararat and surrounds, for the community events that the program is hosting. This is just a start to the economic benefits that we expect to see continuing with the airing of the Challenge Australia series.

"It gives me a lot of pride to be a part of this revolution and I encourage people to keep up their efforts."

Several business owners have come on board offering healthy options, discounted products and incentives to encourage locals to buy more fresh fruit and vegetables and make healthier choices when eating out.

"One of the local service clubs has come on board assisting us with local events with healthy breakfast options which has been popular," health promotion officer Jenna Gunnell said.

Chief executive officer from the Grampians Region YMCA Brooke LeSueur said the Ararat YMCA had experienced a 30 per cent increase in participation compared to the same time last year. This can be attributed to the Challenge 500 currently taking place at the YMCA.

Moyston resident Cath Johnstone said how infectious the challenge has been and how important it is for social connection.

"Our group of participants are up at 5am and 6am each morning to meet for our walk and we know we can rely on each other for motivation," she said.

"Excuses that people have had in the past to avoid exercise are no longer legitimate because we are supporting each other to make the most of every opportunity we get."

Ms Johnstone also said that people outside of the challenge participants are being swept up in the excitement and are downloading different apps and devices to support them on their own challenge.

There have been some amazing stories of improvements to people's health in the short time that the challenge has been in place, with people losing several kilograms in body weight and also reducing risky blood pressure levels.

Ararat Rural City Council as a Healthy Together Community is encouraging all residents to keep going as Challenge Ararat continues for another eight weeks.

Weekly schedules which include some free activities are published each Friday and are available at the YMCA kiosk, you don't have to be a 'pebble person' to participate.