TLDR: Quick Success Guide
Download app, create group, set up challenge (5 mins)
Include steps tracking - it's the easiest way to keep everyone engaged
Make it team-based - increases activity by 20%
Run for 2-6 weeks - the sweet spot for engagement
Get leadership involved early
Create buzz! Tease, announce, remind, launch with energy
Stay active as admin - celebrate wins, keep momentum going
Keep rewards fun and meaningful - they don't need to be expensive
Run a quick test challenge with fellow organizers
Want the full playbook? Read on!
Get Started Fast: 5-Minute Count.It Setup
The tech setup may be the easiest part. You can be ready in minutes, and there's no charge until your challenge actually starts.
Download the App!
On the App (or Web)
Create your account
Create your group
Create your challenge
Invite your participants
Go Premium When Ready!
Required for groups larger than 10 people
Only pay for actual challenge days
Set up everything in advance - no charges until launch!
Choose Your Challenge Style
Before diving into challenge creation, consider what will work best for your organization. Here are our top insights from thousands of successful challenges:
Steps Win! Including steps in your challenge drives the highest engagement. They're easy to track, fun to compare, and automatically sync with smartphones. Perfect for first-time challenges, steps ensure everyone generates daily points and stays motivated.
Teams Motivate! Our data shows that team challenges boost activity levels by over 20%. The mix of friendly competition and group support keeps everyone moving. See our Teams guide for full details.
Right-Size Goals! Set challenging but achievable targets. Too easy? People get bored. Too hard? They might give up. Pro tip: Your super-active folks can still compete for top rankings even after hitting the main goal.
Mix It Up! Running regular challenges? Keep it fresh with different themes and activities. Try:
One-week meditation sprints
Cycling or running focus months
Multi-activity combinations
Seasonal themes
Pick Your Perfect Timing
When it comes to timing your challenge, you've got lots of options:
Any Season Works Challenges thrive year-round - whether it's a spring fitness push, summer activity challenge, fall wellness program, or New Year's kickoff. Pick what fits your organization's rhythm.
Sweet Spot Duration Two to six weeks is the magic window for most challenges. Why? Long enough to build habits, short enough to maintain excitement.
Break It Up Planning a longer program? Split it into shorter challenges:
Instead of one 12-week marathon, run three 1-month sprints
Count.It automatically carries over teams and settings
Shorter challenges let people who fall behind jump back in fresh
Go Recurring Monthly or quarterly challenges help wellness become part of your culture. Pro tip: Start with an "event" challenge, then transition to regular challenges once you've got momentum.
Make Rewards Count!
Rewards add extra excitement to your challenge, but remember - they don't need to break the bank to be effective! Here's what works:
Get Creative Our favorite example? A client uses an old basketball sneaker as their trophy - it's their most hotly contested annual prize! The key is making rewards meaningful to your culture.
Mix Your Rewards! Popular options include:
Gift cards or lunch vouchers
Company swag or custom challenge t-shirts
Symbolic trophies or certificates
Extra PTO or wellness hours
Do Good Charitable donations often drive the highest engagement. Example: "$500 to the winning team's chosen charity" connects wellness with giving back.
Pro Tips
Consider multiple prize categories (Most Improved, Team Spirit, etc.)
Small, surprise rewards throughout keep motivation high
Recognition matters as much as the prize itself
Promote Like a Pro: Building the Buzz!
Think of your challenge like planning the year's biggest party - you want everyone talking about it! Here's how to create unstoppable momentum:
Get the VIPs Excited When leadership joins in, everyone pays attention:
Invite executives to captain teams
Have department heads publicly commit to challenge goals
Have your CEO share their "why" for participating
Build the Hype! Our motto? "Go big or go home!" Create a four-week buzz campaign:
Week 1: Drop mysterious teasers ("Something big is coming...")
Week 2: Reveal the challenge theme and amazing prizes
Week 3: Share easy registration steps and app guides
Launch Week: Kick off with a bang! Think launch events, team announcements, or wellness fairs
Pro Party Planning Tips!
Use multiple communication channels (email, Slack, posters)
Share sneak peeks of prizes or special features
Create FOMO with early-bird registration perks
Highlight team-building opportunities
Keep the Energy High: Managing Your Live Challenge!
Launch day is just the beginning - now comes the fun part! Your role shifts from organizer to motivator-in-chief. Here's how to keep the momentum going:
Be the Hype Squad!
Stay active in the challenge chat
Share daily or weekly updates
Celebrate every achievement, big or small
Keep that party energy flowing!
Mix It Up!
Launch weekly themes ("Mindful Monday," "Walking Wednesday")
Create mini-challenges within the main challenge
Spotlight team successes
Share progress towards major milestones
Notice and Respond!
Participation dipping? Drop in a surprise incentive
Someone close to their goal? Give them a shoutout
Team crushing it? Make them famous in the chat
Questions coming up? Answer quickly and clearly
Finish Strong: Wrapping Up Your Challenge!
As your challenge nears the finish line, keep the excitement building:
Celebrate Success!
Share progress updates and milestones
Spotlight teams making final pushes
Remind everyone about prize categories
Plan an awesome awards announcement
Gather the Good News!
Download challenge reports
Collect success stories
Calculate total team achievements
Share the impact numbers
Need a Helping Hand?
While this guide gives you the tools for success, sometimes you want extra support. Our Challenge Manager service ($500) provides:
Custom communication planning
Engagement strategies
Regular check-ins and guidance
Visit help.count.it for more resources, or reach out anytime for support.
Your journey to an amazing wellness challenge starts now - let's make it count!