Quote
Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body; it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.
- John F. Kennedy
If you've been asked to launch a step challenge at work and you've never run one before, here's a number that should make your week: a 2025 CoreHealth Technologies analysis of more than 500 corporate programs found that themed step challenges boost participation by 30 to 50 percent compared with basic step counting. Even better, Motion Connected's 2025 case study of a distributed hospital system hit 85 percent participation with a simple office-to-office virtual tour format. The catch? None of that happens by accident. Knowing how to set up a step challenge at work means choosing the right format, the right platform, and the right promotion plan before day one. This guide walks first-time HR managers through every step, with specific timelines, sample rules, and the small decisions that separate a flop from a flagship wellness moment.
Pacer is a familiar name for individuals tracking daily steps on their phone, and many HR teams have wondered whether the same brand can power a serious workplace step challenge.
Most small business owners assume a real employee wellness challenge means hiring a vendor, buying wearables for everyone, and writing a five-figure check.
Discover the step-by-step process of setting up a new step challenge using DistantRace. Embark on this exciting journey with us.
- John F. Kennedy
Most workplace step challenges fail in week two. Not because employees stop caring about their health, but because someone copy-pasted last year's "walk 10,000 steps a day" template and called it a wellness program.
Picking the best step challenge app for companies has gotten harder, not easier. The corporate wellness software market crossed $66 billion in 2025, and a Deloitte review noted that more than 80% of Fortune 500 wellness programs now run on a digital step or activity platform. That's great news for HR. But it also means your inbox is full of "schedule a demo" emails, and every vendor swears their leaderboards are the most fun. So which step challenge app actually deserves your budget.
If you're an HR manager looking for a wellness program that actually pulls people in, a workplace step challenge is one of the most reliable plays you can run.
You picked the right wellness challenge. You secured the budget. You set up the platform. Then launch day arrives, the announcement goes out - and only a handful of people sign up.
Picture this: a sales rep in Toronto laces up at 6 a. m. , a customer success manager in Austin runs at lunch, and the engineering team in Vancouver finishes together on a weekend trail.
MoveSpring built a strong reputation as a step-challenge platform for corporate wellness programs, but in 2026 many HR leaders and wellness coordinators are reevaluating their options.
You launched the step challenge. The first week was electric - sign-ups poured in, Slack channels buzzed with screenshots, and your leaderboard lit up like a scoreboard on game day.