Mobile Tech

New Year's Resolutions: How Apps Reward Your Health & Fitness Goals

Thursday, January 2, 2014

New Year’s resolutions are an annual American tradition. In fact, over 58 million Americans plan to head to the gym come January 1 as a result of their New Year’s resolutions. Gyms across the U.S. will see a traffic surge of 30 to 50 percent in these first few weeks of the year. Just as common of a tradition is the tendency for resolutioners to give up their efforts early. SessionM, powering the loyalty program used by hundreds of leading mobile apps, polled over 40K mobile users regarding their New Year’s resolutions.

They uncovered that in fact only 41% of those that made the resolution to get fit in 2013 followed through with their goal, with most only sticking to it for a few weeks. However, again this year, nearly 40% of mobile users have a resolution to hold a more regimented gym/exercise routine in 2014.

SessionM is keeping health and fitness fun for users who have committed to leading a healthier lifestyle in 2014 through in-app rewards. Apps like Nexercise, Calorie Tracker Lite, Pedometer by Runtastic, LIVESTRONG.com, among others, are using SessionM’s mPLACES tool which rewards consumers for checking into specific locations.

Throughout January, participants who check in at gyms and fitness centers will be automatically entered to win a $250 Dick’s Sporting Goods gift card. People can check-in once per day, every day, for the chance to win.

"We’re eager to use mPLACES to reward and motivate our Nexercise community as well as integrate advertising in contextually relevant ways.We know how much our users enjoy earning mPOINTS for completing in-app actions like tracking a workout or exercising 7 days in a row as it provides extra motivation to stick to their fitness routine. To extend this to check-ins at gym and fitness centers is a great way to kick off the New Year!" - CEO and founder of Nexercise Benjamin Young says.

Have you kept your 2013 health & fitness New Year's resolutions?
Option	Total	Female	Male
Yes	20%	20%	21%
No	29%	31%	25%
I didn't make a health & fitness resolution in 2014	51%	49%	54%
Total	41189	23899	17290


How long did you stick with it?
Option	Total	Female	Male
A few weeks	34%	36%	31%
A few months	24%	25%	21%
Most of the year	22%	23%	21%
All year	20%	16%	27%
Total	19785	12001	7784


Do your 2014 New Year's resolutions include a more regimented gym/exercise routine?
Option	Total	Female	Male
Yes	39%	44%	33%
No	19%	19%	19%
I don't plan to make any fitness New Year's resolutions	42%	37%	49%
Total	41189	23899	17290


Do you plan to sign up for a new gym membership in 2014?
Option	Total	Female	Male
Yes	22%	21%	23%
No	78%	79%	77%
Total	23933	15075	8858


Which answer most closely aligns with your New Year's resolution?
Option	Total	Female	Male
Eat healthier	17%	17%	16%
Get fit	24%	22%	28%
Lose weight	32%	36%	27%
Manage stress	15%	16%	14%
None of the above	12%	10%	15%
Total	23933	15075	8858