HealthyWage Step Challenge FAQ
Contact us
For fastest response: email us at info@healthywage.com. Our general fax number is: (651) 964-3499.
Rules.
To see the rules for the HealthyWage Step Challenge, go here.
Why should I join?
It's fun and effective! Getting moving as a team means you keep on track and encourage each other to reach your goals! Cash prizes for reaching achievable goals makes the challenge super fun. If your team achieves one million steps in 100 days (or 300,000 steps in 30 days for our 30-day step challenges), you get an equal cut of the pot!
What if all of the participating teams win?
Healthywage has a "no-lose" guarantee: if more than 75% of participating teams are successful, HealthyWage guarantees all successful participants will receive at least their entry fee back.
Can my friends and family from outside work join in?
Absolutely! The HealthyWage Step Challenges are the best way to get active with your friends. Get moving together and make a few bucks at the same time! Plus, it's the more the merrier: more teams means a bigger pot!
How does it work?
The HealthyWage Step Challenges are all about teams striving to reach an average of one million steps during a 100-day period, or an average of 300,000 steps in a 30-day period (for our 30-day step challenges). Each team puts money into the pot, and at the end of the challenge that money (less 25% administration fee and any uncollected fee installments) is split among all members of the winning teams! The bigger the challenge, the bigger the pot!
Do I have to pay all at once?
No! When registering, you have the option of paying in full or paying over the course of 3 monthly installments.
How do I track my steps?
Smart Phone or Fitbit
For automatic syncing with HealthyWage, you need (1) a smart phone or a Fitbit tracking device, and (2) the free Fitbit app (this app uses your phone OR device to track steps). During HealthyWage registration, you will connect your app to HealthyWage for automatic syncing. It's easy...and fun.
How do I connect my device?
It's easy! We've got 3 steps outlined for you right here!
How do you prevent cheating?
We police cheating aggressively. If we determine that someone has cheated, they will be removed from the program immediately and not eligible for prizes.
How big is the pot?
That depends on how many people sign up. The more participants, the larger the pot!
How does the pot get split?
The pot is split evenly between all teammates of winning teams regardless of team size. For example, if there are two winning teams and Team A has 9 teammates and Team B has 5 teammates, all 14 winners will split the pot evenly.
Can I participate if my company is not involved?
If you are invited by a friend or family member who is taking part in a HealthyWage Step Challenge, you are more than welcome to join in! If you don't know anyone taking part, you can either suggest the challenge to your employer or take part in a Team Challenge or HealthyWager.
Can I participate if I am located outside of the U.S?
Unless otherwise stated, the HealthyWage Step Challenges are available only to healthy people in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Void where prohibited.
Do I need a team?
Yes, they are team-based step challenges—we've found that having a team is a great way to stay motivated. You can have your family, friends or co-workers on your team. If you don't have a complete team, don't worry—we will match you up with new friends when the contest starts (we make sure everyone is on a team). If you'd prefer to compete on your own, you might want to check out HealthyWager, our personal game.
I know what teammates I want; how do my friends and family join my team?
Ask them to visit the Step Challenge sign up page, as promoted on posters and/or emails in your organization. They'll need to use this link to take part. After they register, they will then choose your team from a list.
What if I can't get enough people together for a complete team?
Don't worry, we've got someone for that! Our Chief Fun Officer will work with you to make sure you are on a complete team. Once you're signed up, email info@healthywage.com and just ask for assistance. You will be matched with a team no later than 2 weeks into the challenge (but get stepping right from the start!).
Do I need to send my friends and family an invitation through your website?
You can, but you don't need to. Just let them know that they need to register online at the challenge sign up page. After they register, they will arrive at the page with a list of teams and will be able to choose your team from the list.
Is there a deadline for registering and syncing at the beginning of the contest?
No, but the longer you wait after the contest starts, the less time you'll have to count your steps!
How long into the competition can I change my team?
A team can be changed within the first two weeks of the challenge. After two weeks, teams are locked and your team can not be changed (exception: if you sign up later than two weeks into the challenge, your team will remain unlocked for a week).
Can I participate in more than one challenge at the same time?
Absolutely. You can participate in up to 10 challenges at the same time! So double-up, even triple-up to maximize your winnings for the same weight loss!
*Note on participating in multiple step challenges:
Participants that join more than one concurrent step challenge use their same daily step count for each challenge. Therefore, the daily goal is 10,000 steps per day regardless of if you are participating in 1, 2, 3 or more step challenges at the same time. You do NOT need an individual 10,000 steps for each individual challenge.
My company is participating. Do my teammates have to be co-workers?
No! You may have anyone on your team. The contest is great for families or friends to work together.
I connected my device, but it is not syncing.
If you have trouble syncing please visit the Fitbit support pages to troubleshoot.
How do you calculate a team's average step count?
We take the average of each team's steps. We add up the total steps by each member of the team and then divide by the number of teammates to get your team's average step count.
Do my steps count up until the last day of the challenge?
Yes! Your steps will count up until 11:59 pm in your local time zone.
What happens if one of my team members doesn't sync their device?
If someone on your team doesn't sync their device, that's okay—we will count their steps as 0 for purposes of computing your team's average step count. You can still average one million if the rest of the team steps up its game (get it?!).
What are these dots by my team members names?
The green, yellow and red challenge success indicators let you know how on-track you are toward hitting the 1 million (for 100-day challenges) or 300,000 (for 30-day challenges) step average! We calculate how many steps you have taken and how many steps you need to hit to see if your team is on track to win. If you have a green dot - you are totally on track. If you have a yellow dot - you are not too far off track but you need to step up your game. If you have a red dot - you need to get to steppin’ because your team is counting on you!
Is there any way to get a discount on my registration fee?
Your company may provide a discount on registration; some companies choose to cover part of the cost for employees who participate, just like WW at Work. Ask your HR department if they are covering part of the cost for the HealthyWage program.
Can I participate if I am pregnant?
No. But you can sign up if you've recently had your baby, if your doctor says it's okay.
What if I get injured during the challenge?
You would have to contact us with confirmation from a doctor stating you are unable to perform the actions required to complete the challenge. Once this is confirmed, we will postpone your challenge.
Can minors participate?
No. Only individuals over the age of 18 are allowed to participate.
Can I participate if I am on weight loss pills or if I have had or am planning to have bariatric surgery?
Only with advanced doctor approval. Contact us to discuss this before signing up.
Do I have to live in the same city as my teammates?
No! You and your teammates can live in different parts of the country or even the world! You can get weighed-in at different gyms and/or doctors.
How do I know my payment information is secure?
HealthyWage is committed to protecting the security of your personal information, including payment information. We use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, and disclosure. For example, all participant data is collected and transmitted over secured connections using 256-bit encryption. All pages on the HealthyWage website are served over SSL. All payment data is handled following rigorous Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards set by VISA, MasterCard, and American Express. We process payments via a highly reputable third-party payment processor and never store your sensitive payment information on our own system.
When will my next payment installment occur?
If you selected to pay in installments (as opposed to one single payment), your account will be charged every 30 days. Please note payments are processed exactly 30 days apart and will not occur on the same date of each month.
Can I get a refund?
Part of our job is to prevent you from giving up, so you can't quit -- there are absolutely no cancellations or refunds. HealthyWage will suspend your challenge if you are pregnant.
What if my device didn’t sync and now I’m too far behind to win?
There are ways we can back-date your steps. Call or emails us to see how we can help you get your steps counted!
How and when do I get paid?
HealthyWage pays you via check or Paypal (your choice). You get paid in as little as 12 hours after you win, but the review process can take longer (occasionally more than a week if our referees determine your case requires additional investigation).
Are there any payment fees?
There is a processing fee for a paper check of $7.00. If you choose Paypal, Paypal will charge a fee of 2.9% + .30 cents, except in special circumstances when HealthyWage pays the fee (e.g., Team Challenge Reimbursement Prize).
