In today’s work environment, employees are often glued to their screens and desks, with the average American spending over 7 hours daily in front of a screen and approximately 65 to 75% of their workday seated. This sedentary lifestyle can significantly impact health and well-being.
A workplace step challenge offers a proactive solution by promoting physical activity and work-life wellness. Designing wellness programs that effectively motivate all employees is crucial for encouraging physical activity in the workplace. Wellness challenges, such as step challenge are excellent tools for initiating these programs. They boost morale and enhance employee satisfaction.
We’ll explore what a workplace step challenge is, why it matters, and how you can successfully implement one to support employee health and engagement.
What is a Workplace Step Challenge?
A workplace step challenge is an initiative designed to boost physical activity and build camaraderie among employees. In this wellbeing challenge, employees work towards increasing their daily step count, often setting individual or team-based goals over a specific period, such as a week or a month. Participants track their progress using fitness trackers or employee wellbeing apps that monitor their steps. The participant or team with the highest step count by the end wins a reward set by the company.
A well-designed challenge can cultivate a wellbeing workplace culture of mutual support, friendly rivalry, and shared commitment to personal wellness.
8 Reasons to Run a Workplace Step Challenge
- Encourage Healthy Habits
Step challenges motivate employees to set and achieve fitness goals, leading to sustained health improvements. Regular physical activity helps employees maintain long-term wellness habits.
- Promote Goal Setting
Competing to meet fitness targets or outperform colleagues sharpens focus on both personal and professional goals, reinforcing the value of achievement and progress.
- Increase Productivity
According to a National Library of Medicine study, step challenges can reduce stress and enhance productivity. Healthier employees are more efficient, which can lower labor costs and improve overall performance.
- Promote Teamwork
Working towards a shared goal through step challenges fosters teamwork, enhances communication, and strengthens employee relations.
- Reduce Stress Levels
Step challenges help alleviate stress and anxiety by releasing mood-boosting endorphins. Regular exercise also provides structure and routine, beneficial for managing anxiety.
- Support a Healthy Workplace
Building healthy habits improves physical and mental health, enhancing the overall employee experience and well-being.
- Save Organization Money
Employer health care costs expected to rise 8.5% in 2024 – considering the high costs, employer inaction towards employee wellbeing is not an option. Wellness programs like step challenges can help reduce these costs by improving employee health.
- Increase Engagement and Reduce Absenteeism
Wellness programs can lower absenteeism (which costs around $2,650 annually) and boost productivity and engagement among employees.
How To Set Up a Workplace Step Challenge
Ready to get your team moving? Here’s how to kick off a fun and engaging step challenge at work:
Set Challenge Rules and Goals
- Step Target: Aim for a daily goal, like 10,000 steps, to challenge employees beyond their usual 2,000-3,000 steps.
- Duration: Choose a timeframe of 1-2 months for maximum impact and motivation.
- Participation: Decide if the challenge is individual or team-based, and adjust step goals accordingly.
Decide How to Track Steps
- Data Collection: Collect step counts through a dedicated app, form submissions, or shared documents.
- Tracking Tools: Use smartphones or smartwatches. Consider apps like Pacer for Teams or simple self-reporting methods.
Determine Rewards and Milestones
- Incentives: Offer rewards like gift cards, free lunches, company parties, gym memberships, or work from home days. Recognize milestones with small rewards or public shout-outs.
Promote the Challenge
- Spread the Word: Use flyers, emails, and internal messaging to build excitement and educate employees about the health benefits.
Integrate into a Wellness Program
- Broader Initiatives: Link the step challenge to a larger wellness program that includes nutrition advice, mental health support, and other health activities.
Best Practices for Running a Workplace Step Challenge
Workplace step challenges can be fun, refreshing, and highly motivating when executed correctly. By following best practices and planning ahead, you can ensure a smooth and successful challenge. Proper preparation is key to maximizing engagement and achieving great results.
Here are 6 best practices for running a successful workplace step challenge:
- Increase Motivation: Maintain engagement with regular updates, communications, and reminders. For team challenges, appoint committed team leaders to keep enthusiasm high.
- Choose the Right Tools: Use reliable fitness trackers or wellbeing apps for accurate step measurement and easy monitoring.
- Offer Exciting Rewards: Choose meaningful rewards for participants, whether monetary, personal, or charity based. Consider multiple prize categories to recognize various achievements.
- Create a Leaderboard: Display rankings to introduce a competitive element and track progress visually.
- Track Progress: Regularly review and share progress updates to keep participants informed and motivated.
- Promote Inclusivity: Ensure the challenge is accessible to all employees, considering varying fitness levels and mobility.
Step Challenge Ideas for Increasing Participation
A successful workplace step challenge hinges on maximizing participation among employees. To ensure your company step challenge is engaging and effective, consider the below creative strategies to boost and sustain participation throughout the event. Implementing innovative ideas can keep employees motivated and involved, making the challenge both enjoyable and impactful.
- Encourage Walking Meetings: Suggest holding meetings while walking to boost steps and creativity.
- Team-Based Competitions: Form teams to enhance camaraderie and make the challenge more engaging.
- Wellness Workshops: Pair the challenge with wellness seminars to boost overall health awareness.
- Weekly Mini-Challenges: Create additional weekly goals or bonuses to maintain interest and reward ongoing effort.
- Leadership Involvement: Have leaders participate to set an example and boost challenge visibility.
How Can Companies Create an Inclusive Walking Steps Challenge?
While step challenges are a great way to promote physical activity in the workplace, they might not suit everyone, especially those with physical disabilities, chronic conditions, pregnancy, safety concerns, or diverse body types. To ensure inclusivity, tailor your step challenge to accommodate all employees. Follow these tips to help make your wellness initiatives accessible and engaging for everyone in the workplace.
Take your First Step Towards a Healthy and Engaged Workforce
Step challenges are a proven method to boost workplace well-being by enhancing engagement and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits. Regardless of how you implement your company step challenge, the goal remains the same—enhancing workplace wellness and promoting active lifestyles among employees.
With VIWELL employee wellness platform, you can easily launch and manage custom workplace wellness challenges. The platform integrates with various wearable devices, allowing seamless tracking of daily step counts and simplifying the process.
Explore how VIWELL can support your wellness goals by scheduling a tour of our platform today.