Gamification

I gave up on Duolingo.

If you’re not familiar with it, Duolingo is a language-learning app that relies heavily on streaks. If you use the app for even 30 seconds, your streak continues and the bird mascot is happy.

The streak thing motivated me for a while. I diligently used the app every day to practice Spanish, even if only for a minute.

But eventually I realized that the only thing I was getting from Duolingo was satisfaction from checking something off my list. I wasn’t actually learning Spanish.

For me, Duolingo was an example of failed gamification. 

Pretty much everything is gamified these days, because everything has an app, and apps can track streaks.

The idea is that turning something difficult into a game makes it more likely you’ll do it.

In my case, this model doesn’t work for language learning. I need more than one minute a day to learn Spanish.

But gamification works really well for fitness, because any amount of exercise is beneficial.

Like step counting.

The 10,000 steps requirement is arbitrary, but walking more does generally lead to better health.

So apps and devices that track your steps through streaks can be really helpful, as long as you set realistic goals. If you walk even 100 more steps, you’ll be on your way to a healthier lifestyle.

We use gamification at Rozzie Fitness. 

For instance, we just finished our 75 Fun Challenge, where the goal is to work out at Rozzie Fitness 75 times over the second half of the year. Every time you work out, you stamp a card, and you get prizes as you achieve milestones.

We also use Myzone challenges. 

Myzone is a heart-rate monitor that tracks your effort as a percentage of your max heart-rate. The harder you work, the more Myzone Effort Points you get. If you achieve 1300 points in a month, you’ll have done enough cardio to satisfy the generally recommended guidelines.

Unlike Duolingo, these types of challenges work for me. I know that every time I work out or do cardio, I’m not only progressing on the challenge, but accomplishing my larger goal of being healthy.

If you're not already a member and would like to learn more about our workout challenges and the other ways we make fitness fun, you can schedule a discovery call here.