How to engage up to 40% of employees in a company sports challenge?

1. Give full freedom of choice: From cycling to yoga

A common approach is to focus the challenge on one specific activity, like kilometers cycled or steps added to a shared pool. That will certainly appeal to some of the team, but consider the potential barriers. Many employees don’t have the equipment, don’t like cycling, don’t own a band or watch that counts every step, or simply - are active in everyday life but prefer other forms of movement. For them, the challenge becomes a barrier rather than an incentive.

The key is variety. Instead of limiting options, open up to every form of movement. Dancing? It counts. Yoga on a mat? Log it! A short lunchtime walk with the team? Absolutely! The Activy app lets you record over 70 disciplines. That turns your challenge from an elite race into a great tool for anyone to track their activity.

2. Reward consistency and regularity, not just record-breaking feats

In traditional sports challenges, those who train regularly (e.g., marathon or cycling enthusiasts) often rack up big numbers and take the lead within a week. That can demotivate those who are just trying to build a healthy habit.

In Activy we’ve created a fair scoring system that levels the playing field for everyone. Instead of favoring one-off, extreme distances, we reward commitment and regularity. We’ve introduced a mechanism that ensures every bit of movement counts, and final success depends on daily discipline and consistency, not elite performances.

Thanks to this, you don’t need to be a pro athlete to succeed in a company challenge. Our proven system, used in Activy for years, gives all participants - regardless of their starting level - a real chance to compete for top spots. That’s because our recommended point limits significantly increase fairness, leveling the field. They reduce disparities arising from different experience levels, neutralizing the huge advantage of professionals and marathoners. So while we appreciate long distances and intense workouts, we primarily support building even the smallest healthy habits, valuing regularity and variety of activities. We accept and respect differences across the team - we know not everyone has the time or predisposition to run marathons daily, so they shouldn’t be penalized in the scoring. Consistency and habit-building are the keys to winning.

3. Go beyond kilometers: Side missions and surprise elements

We know some employees have no problem being active, while others may need more motivation. The key is addressing different needs so participation doesn’t end with logging a single workout.

Engage participants during the challenge by offering alternative routes to success. In Activy we add bonus points for hitting smaller goals and create extra missions that reward engagement and a holistic approach to health - not just physical effort. Examples: “Register 5 trainings this week” or “Do 15 minutes of yoga on Monday.”

This way we support daily movement and lean into gamification that’s fun and motivating—rather than a cut-throat race for the most kilometers.

4. The power of charity: Nothing unites like a shared goal

People are more willing to engage when their effort contributes to something bigger than their personal result. It’s a powerful tool that turns competition into cooperation, regardless of someone’s fitness or love of sport.

Shift the focus from individual to shared, charitable goals. Every recorded activity - every step - brings the company closer to a target that results in a donation to a chosen cause. You show that every move matters and contributes to the common good, motivating even those who aren’t focused on winning.

That’s why a charitable goal is one of the top three motivations for Activy users. In our app everyone sees a progress bar, showing how close the company is to the goal. That adds a powerful extra dose of motivation.

5. Don’t reward only the champs - use guaranteed prizes and give everyone a chance

If prizes go only to the leaderboard’s top spot, motivation among those lower down can drop fast. To keep everyone engaged, give a wider group a chance to win.

Create a rewards system that primarily honors participation. Offer guaranteed prizes (e.g., company swag) to all who reach a minimum activity threshold. You can also add a raffle among active participants. That gives a real, exciting chance to win to anyone who moves regularly - whether they sprint like Usain Bolt or take daily walks with their dog.

If you want participants to choose their own goals, consider a rewards store. Convert points into a virtual currency employees can redeem for physical items, vouchers, health check packages, or entries to sports training. This maximizes agency and recognition.

6. Communication is key: Every move counts

Inclusion starts in employees’ minds. If they think the challenge is for people already active, they may never join. Remember to include, not exclude. Your messaging must be an invitation, not a filter.

Tailor communication to your audience and show there’s room for everyone: from marathon fans to those who prefer walking or yoga.

Avoid images of elite athletes in your materials. Choose authenticity and accessibility - show dog-walking, stretching, and team sports. Start active breaks at work and immediately show that a 10-minute stretch can be logged in the challenge. Promote the idea that movement is simple and achievable - for everyone.

With Activy you get all the essential, ready-to-use communication materials in a package, minimizing your workload. We use varied slogans that speak to people at different levels.

7. Motivation from the start: Support beginners and highlight the value of sport

People uninterested in sports often don’t know where to start, and the idea of a “challenge” can feel intimidating. Show that the challenge is for everyone and support habit-building from beginning to end.

First and foremost, be an engaged coordinator and build motivation at every stage. Involve senior leaders as ambassadors to prove the challenge really is for everyone.

Also, launch workplace initiatives that help participants:

• Suggest joining an organized race together and show how Activy can help them prepare.
• Arrange a mobile bike service - maybe someone’s barrier is an unchecked bike?
• Send inspiration in the app and keep “boosting” communications.

This proves the challenge is a path to regular, safe, and enjoyable activity - not an attempt to break a world record.

Build an initiative for everyone

Company sports challenges are much more than rankings and points. They’re a powerful tool for building a culture of inclusion - and thus increasing engagement and retention.

Remember: the success of your initiative isn’t measured by how many elite athletes are at the top, but by the percentage of actively engaged employees across the company.

The keys are flexibility and motivation:

• Offer choice (let people log all sports and show that every move counts).
• Reward the habit (recognize not only the biggest achievements but also small, regular steps).
• Motivate throughout and appreciate everyone (show the value of sport at work, celebrate regularly, and spread energy throughout the challenge).

By applying these 7 principles, you turn a challenge from competition into a shared, positive journey toward health, where every employee - from ultra-marathoner to walking enthusiast - feels seen, appreciated, and integral to the company’s success. Act inclusively and watch your team’s energy soar!

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