Workplace fitness challenges
Quick answer
A company fitness challenge works when nobody is excluded by their gear and nobody has to be the scorekeeper. Meryus gives you a shared leaderboard anyone can join with an 8-character code, automatic syncing for Garmin and Strava users, and manual entry for everyone else. It is free, has no per-seat pricing, and needs no app install or IT approval.
Why most office challenges fizzle
- Half the team is locked out. A Garmin Connect or Strava challenge only includes people on that platform.
- One person owns a spreadsheet. They burn out, and the challenge dies with their attention.
- The goal favors the already-fit. A total-mileage race is over on day three for most participants.
- Nobody sees the standings. If the leaderboard is not visible, the competition is not real.
Setting one up in five steps
- Pick one metric everyone can hit. Steps work best for mixed-fitness teams because walking counts. Active minutes is the fairest alternative.
- Set a length people will finish. Four weeks is the sweet spot. Two weeks feels rushed, eight weeks loses half the group.
- Create the challenge and share the code. Create it in Meryus, then paste the 8-character join code into Slack, Teams, or an email.
- Let devices do the logging. Garmin and Strava sync automatically. Anyone with an Apple Watch, Fitbit, or phone pedometer types a number in once a day.
- Post the leaderboard weekly. One message a week with the standings does more for participation than any prize.
Formats that work at work
| Format | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| 8,000 steps a day, 4 weeks | Whole-company inclusion | Desk-bound roles need walking breaks |
| Active minutes per week | Mixed sports and gym-goers | Needs an honest logging culture |
| Team total distance | Running and cycling clubs | Excludes non-runners fast |
| Streak: move every day | Habit building, low pressure | One missed day feels final, allow a skip |
Questions people ask
What is the best app for a company fitness challenge?
You want three things: it must work regardless of which device each employee owns, it must not require a corporate contract, and it must show one shared leaderboard. Meryus does all three for free. Native Strava and Garmin challenges fail the first test because they only include users of that one platform.
Does everyone need a fitness tracker?
No. Garmin and Strava users sync automatically, and everyone else logs their number by hand in a few seconds. That is deliberate: step challenges collapse when half the office is excluded.
Is it free for a whole team?
Yes. Meryus is free with no per-seat pricing, no paid tier, and no ads. There is no admin dashboard to buy.
How do we keep it fair between very fit and less fit coworkers?
Use a daily-target format instead of a total. Everyone aiming for 8,000 steps a day competes on consistency rather than raw capacity, which keeps casual participants in the game.
Can we run it across multiple offices or remote staff?
Yes. It is a web app with a join code, so location is irrelevant. Remote teams often run monthly rotating metrics to keep it interesting.
Start your team challenge
Use the ready-made workplace step challenge or build your own format.
Related: Workplace step challenge guide · Ideas for remote teams · Compare the alternatives