by Nate Widom
Feeling bored in the gym? Just beginning your fitness journey and don’t know where to start? Whether you play sports, video games, board games, or nothing at all, gamifying your workouts may be just what you need to thrive. Gamification means applying core themes from games into everyday life—think things like high scores, points, prizes, and competition. Applying gamification to fitness can help make exercise more enjoyable and therefore more likely to become a habit. Let’s play.
To start, you’ll need to understand why some gaming elements work to motivate you. You’re probably using some in your workouts already.
Start Your Mission
Goals, fun, and a challenge
Beating the final boss? Winning that trophy? Games all have a goal so that you have something to work toward. So does fitness. Think about what you’re aiming for. Losing 10 pounds? Gaining 5 pounds of muscle? What will it take to reach that goal? Successful games are fun with an appropriate amount of difficulty. If your fitness goal is unattainable, you’ll probably get frustrated and discouraged; if it’s too easy, achieving it won’t be fulfilling.
Track Your Progress
Points, scores, and progress bars
Looking to level up? Tracking results with points, scores, and progress bars is perfect for your gym days and integrating gamification.
Keep A Workout Log
Whether you like doing things on paper or using tech, keeping a detailed log of your workouts is
the most effective way to challenge yourself and drive improvement over time. Popular apps include Strong, Hevy, and JEFIT.
MYZONE™ Belts
The MYZONE™ belts we offer here at HAC are prime examples of gamification. These chest-worn devices track your heart rate and reward you with MEPs (MYZONE™ Effort Points) based on your effort in relation to your max heart rate. You’ll receive real-time data on your phone and on our in-club TVs while wearing one. The MYZONE™ App shows your zones, tracks progress across workouts, and offers additional social and competitive elements. HAC even hosts challenges where you’re rewarded with special prizes for earning enough MEPs.
Example: Using a MYZONE™ Belt, tracking calories
InBody & Fitness Health Appraisals
We can help track your fitness progress with expert guidance to support you every step of the way. All HAC members are entitled to a FREE Fitness Health Appraisal featuring a customized workout plan, goal setting, and our wonderful InBody machine. This device uses bioelectrical impedance to measure your weight, body fat percentage, body mass index, water weight, visceral fat, and more. Visit the personal training desk or hachealthclub.com/fitness-health-appraisal to book an appointment.
Reward Yourself Along the Way
Goodies, badges, and motivation
Tracking progress is one way to stay motivated at the gym, but reasonable rewards and little signs of encouragement keep us motivated, too. Beat a weightlifting PR or spend extra time on the treadmill? Maybe reward yourself with a delicious smoothie from the HAC Café or a nice facial from our spa. Make sure the reward feels special and doesn’t detract from your goals. Little things like badges and motivation also provide positive feedback. Things like your fitness tracker sending encouraging messages, along with positive encouragement from friends and other gym-goers, can go a long way.
A 2022 study focused on 500 employees from a single company and their walking habits. They were separated into two groups, but only one group was provided with gamification elements such as badges, points, and social systems. The gamified group walked 100 miles more over the 6-month study!1
Example: Relaxing with a massage or smoothie after a long workout.
In addition to MYZONE™ challenges, we have several upcoming fitness challenges to motivate you, and there’s no cost to enter:
- Halloween Fitness Challenge: Stop by our group fitness studios upstairs to check out our Halloween Fitness Challenge, ending on the 31st. Fill out challenge cards for a chance to win prizes!
- Project Zero: Check out our Project Zero challenge beginning Monday, November 17th. Simply enter the challenge, attend your required weigh-ins at the start and end of the 8-week challenge, and successfully make it through without gaining any weight. Those who successfully complete the challenge are entered to win various prizes, including free entry into our annual Lifestyle Challenge. Sign up at hachealthclub.com/projectzero to register.
Player Two, Anyone?
Leaderboards, competition, camaraderie, and feedback
Notice how many apps ask you to invite your friends? Whether for serious competition or camaraderie, most games benefit from multiplayer elements. Leaderboards foster competition by comparing high scores, boosting engagement, and adding positive social pressure. No gym friends? No problem! We offer various weekly group workouts, from Small Group Personal Training to Hot Yoga to Aqua Fitness. Science shows that simply exercising alongside others fosters accountability and facilitates friendly competition that ultimately makes all parties work harder.
A 12-week study with 200 adults found that friendly competition created positive results. All participants were divided into groups. While they all tracked their steps, only one group used a leveling system that allowed participants to surpass each other. This gamified group averaged over 2.5 times more steps than the others!2
Example: fitness classes, comparing scores amongst your friends
Small Group Offerings: Our small group personal training (SGPT) classes already offer the advantages of exercising within a close-knit community, fostering camaraderie. Yet, two of our classes take gamification to the next level. In Wheel of GainZ with Anthony Brown, you’ll engage in a circuit-style workout enhanced by a spinning wheel that determines your exercises. In The Card Game with Tom Lombardo, your workout is guided by a collection of cards you’ll pull.
It’s Your Turn
Some will want to add gamification elements to their workout, and others will want to turn their workout into a game itself. If this appeals to you, tap into your inner child and be creative! Here are some examples of fun fitness games:
- Go Flower Hunting: Are you and your friends into flowers? When you’re out for a walk, document all the ones you see, and get into a group to discuss what you find.
- Workout Bingo: Make a card with 25 interesting fitness challenges and complete them by the end of the month. Mark off each one as you go.
- Play Pretend: Add fun scenarios to your workout. Let’s say you’re training for a 5K. Pretend like you’re running from a horde of zombies. Run, run, run!
- Try a Scavenger Hunt: Walk around town and see what you find.
- Make a Prediction: Determine your run, ride, or gym workout, then estimate how long it will take to complete. Time yourself and see how close your prediction was at the end.
- Participate in Fitness Events: 5Ks and obstacle races often include fun themes and medals to liven up your exercise experience.
- TV-Driven Exercise: Watching a sports game or binge-worthy show? Make it active by adding exercises based on what’s on screen. Do a burpee every time a character says their catchphrase, or hold a wall sit whenever someone wearing red is on screen. This keeps you moving and makes your viewing experience more memorable.
- If you need inspiration, try Willie’s Game Day Workout
- Need more of a boost? Try adding the challenge of a (reasonable) time limit to beat the clock.
Literally, you can play video games too.
Gamifying is all about taking elements FROM video games to help you succeed, but if you quite literally want to play a video game and burn calories, you’re in luck. Exergaming is using video games to conduct physical activity. Below are some ideas to get you started:
At HAC
- Expresso Bikes: Try our Expresso bikes on the fitness floor. With their giant screens, you can play minigames and ride virtual courses all while pedaling your feet.
- Matrix and Precor Treadmills: With our Matrix and Precor treadmills, you can walk and run to virtual scenes or even play solitaire!
- Rowers and SkiErgs: Did you know you can play mini games on our rowers and SkiErg machines? Go fishing, race, and play darts based on your velocity. To start, click the “more options” button on the main menu and select your game.
At Home
- Nintendo Wii: We all know about the Wii! This family classic will get you moving through its motion controller. Swing rackets in tennis, throw your ball in bowling, play volleyball, and more. If you still have an old Wii console at home, this is your sign to bring it out of storage, turn it on, and get moving!
- Xbox Kinect: If you have an old Xbox One or Xbox 360 collecting dust, consider a Kinect. It tracks your movement with a built-in camera, allowing you to play many games using only your body. No controller required!
- Ring Fit Adventure: Made for the Switch, Ring Fit Adventure is Nintendo’s most recent attempt at fitness and gaming. With a special strap and a Pilates ring, you can enjoy video games and exercise at the same time.
- VR: For the latest tech, consider a VR headset like the Meta Quest or PlayStation VR. They are expensive but offer plenty of full-body workouts in a virtual world.
On the Go:
There’s a plethora of apps and technology that are exergames. Popular apps like Pokémon Go will get you off the couch so you can catch Pokémon with your friends outdoors. Learn more.
Whether you’re chasing points, competing with friends, or just adding a little fun to your treadmill time, gamification can keep you moving and motivated. Let the games begin!
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