Organizers of the Royal Fit Challenge, a series of four exercise/diet events sponsored by Royal River Foods, don’t want the event to be intimidating. Neither do they want it to be a “hard sell” of the Garden of Life nutrition line, which will be featured during the Challenge.

What they do want is for the people who take part in the event to engage in something beneficial to their bodies in this challenging time of year, when many people tend to stay inside and put on weight.

“It’s a very non-threatening way to go about being more fit,” said Becky Foster, a supplement and body care buyer for Royal River Foods. “We will also be going over some recipes.”

Fitness coach David Bidler of “Why Be Strong?” will lead the exercise routines at the Royal Fit Challenge, which begins at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, and continues during the ensuing three Thursdays at the store located at 443 U.S. Route 1, Freeport. People have the option of continuing those workouts at home.

Sign-up was this past Monday at the store.

The only fee involves purchasing three containers of the Garden of Life Raw Protein powder, which costs $29.99 per container but comes at a discount for three.

Bidler is a trainer at the YMCA of Southern Maine. A marathoner and endurance trainer, he offers individualized fitness consultation and coaching to clients with his business, “Why Be Strong?”

Foster said she was speaking with a Garden of Life broker in late November, and they were looking at sales opportunities for the coming year. They were looking to grow the Garden of Life line of probiotics, multi-vitamins, protein powders and greens at Royal River Foods.

“They offer a lot of supplements,” Foster said. “They keep it raw and organic and gluten-free, so they’re basically vegan.”

The Royal Fit Challenge, she said, will help people with their sugar cravings.

“We were just chatting about what we could do as an event,” Foster said. “I didn’t want it to be a hard sell. I didn’t want it to just push product. It’s not who I am and it’s not who Royal River Foods is, either.”

Foster said she is honored that Royal River Foods customers come into the store and confide in her regarding their physical challenges. She spoke with the storeowner on the idea of a fitness event, then got Bidler on board.

“It’s all about community,” she said, “and it’s January in Maine.

Following the four sessions, the Fit Challenge will provide a fitness assessment of the participants, and it won’t just be on weight, Foster said. Garden of Life will provide a giveaway of its product to the declared overall winner.