Step challenge ideas
Step challenge ideas, rules and team names
A step challenge works when the format fits the group and the rules are settled before day one. Here are formats that keep people moving, rules that keep it fair, and names to get the teams going.
Prefer the app? You can create your challenge there too.
Plan it in three steps
- 1
Pick a format
Everyone for themselves, team against team, or a shared weekly goal. The ideas below cover each.
- 2
Settle the rules
Say what counts, when it starts and ends, and when results are final, before anyone takes a step.
- 3
Start it and share one link
Create the challenge on OutPace and send the link. Steps sync on their own, so nobody keeps a spreadsheet.
Six step challenge ideas
Most steps wins
The classic. Everyone for themselves, highest total at the end. Suits a small group of friends.
Team against team
Departments, households or friend groups. Each team’s steps add up, so everyone has people counting on them.
A one week sprint
Seven days is short enough that everyone stays in to the end. A good first challenge.
A full month
Long enough to build a habit. Run a new round each month, or join OutPace’s free public monthly step challenge.
Walk the distance
Count miles instead of steps with a Walking distance challenge. Everyday walking counts, plus walks and hikes you record.
A weekly team goal
Work together instead of against each other. In the Weekly Relay, teams of up to 5 work toward Bronze, Silver and Gold goals.
Rules that keep it fair
Count synced steps only. Steps from a phone or watch are hard to argue with, and numbers typed in by hand are not. On OutPace, steps typed in by hand do not count.
Set the dates and the finish line before you start. On OutPace a challenge ends at the end of its last day, and results are final at 6:00 PM the next day so watches that sync late are counted.
Count each person’s day in their own time zone, so nobody loses steps to the time difference. OutPace does this on its own.
Keep teams close in size, because a team total is the sum of its members.
Keep the stakes friendly. Bragging rights, a coffee, or a donation the winner picks all work.
Good to know
- How long should a step challenge run?
- One week is the easiest to finish and a good first try. A month builds a habit. Longer than that, interest tends to fade, so run a new round instead.
- What are good step challenge team names?
- Puns travel well. Try Sole Mates, Walkie Talkies, Holy Walkamolies, Pace Makers, Lost in Pace, Blister Sisters, Step It Up, The Walk Stars, Agony of De Feet or Scrambled Legs.
- What step goal should we set?
- Pick a number the least active person in the group can reach. A goal everyone can hit keeps the whole group in it to the end.
- Should we count steps or miles?
- Pick a Steps challenge to count steps. Pick Walking with distance to count miles. A step count shows only on a Steps challenge.
- Do we need a spreadsheet?
- No. An app that syncs steps from each person’s phone or watch keeps the leaderboard current on its own. OutPace does that for free.
- What does it cost?
- Nothing. Creating and joining challenges is free, with no credit card.
- How many people can join?
- A new challenge holds 20 people. Bigger group? Tap Request more spots on your challenge page and we will take a look.
- Is there a team challenge we can join without setting one up?
- Yes. The Weekly Relay is a free team challenge that runs every Monday through Sunday. Teams of up to 5 work toward Bronze, Silver and Gold goals together.
Questions? Email contact@outpace.fit. Read the privacy policy.
Get your group moving together
Sign up free, then create your challenge. It takes a few minutes.
Start a step challengePrefer the app? You can create your challenge there too.