The PLA 7,000 Steps Challenge

Overview

New research published earlier this year, suggests that walking about 7,000 steps a day is sufficient to achieve significant health benefits, including lower risks of dementia, heart disease, cancer, and all-cause mortality. Any increase in daily steps from a sedentary level offers health gains, making a 7,000-step goal a realistic target for improving overall well-being.  
 
The 7,000 Steps Challenge will be the Wellbeing Committee’s 30th Anniversary badged wellness event where members aim to walk at least 7,000 steps per day over a set period (in this case, 30 days in November). Participants track their steps using pedometers, smartphones, or wearable fitness devices and join in the challenge via the Stridekick Pro app.

Objective

• To promote colleague wellbeing, raise awareness to the benefits of exercise and movement in supporting positive mental health, team bonding, and a culture of healthy competition through a fun and engaging 7,000 Steps Challenge.

Goals

• Support mental wellbeing: Increase energy levels and improve mood through regular activity.
• Improve physical wellbeing: Encourage daily movement and reduce sedentary behaviour.
• Boost morale: Create a sense of community through shared goals and activities.
• Enhance engagement: Foster a healthy competitive spirit and encourage teamwork.

Challenge Format

• Duration: 30 days (1-30 Nov)
• Target: Minimum 7,000 steps per day
• Tracking Method: Via fitness app Stridekick Pro
• Teams/Individual: Option for both firm and individual participation
• Leaderboard: Weekly updates via PLA email to participants and fitness app
• Prizes: Donation to charity of choice, branded PLA gear for top steppers, best team, most improved, etc.

How to Join the Challange & How It Works

1. Sign-Up: PLA Members and their colleagues register individually or as firm team. Nominal £15 charge per person up to 5 persons per firm and £free thereafter (i.e. max charge to any firm £75, regardless of participant numbers). To sign up select the places you require and click 'add' or 'book' (for the first five team members from your firm select £15 option and for 6+ members* select the free option then click on the basket in the top right of the screen, add the names and email address and then checkout)
2. Track Steps: Participants track daily steps using any Stridekick Pro app. Tap this link from your mobile phone: https://link.stridekick.com/join?groupCode=XDWGR4E4KM) or download the Stridekick app and search by code XDWGR4E4KM. Create your account + connect your device.
3. Submit Results: Step totals submitted via platform and update in real-time, leaderboard, daily habit set up option, create teams, collective mileage and steps displayed.
4. Motivation: Weekly tips, fun facts, and mini-challenges shared via PLA email.
5. Recognition & Rewards: Celebrate winners at the end with prizes:
   - Winning team can make £1,000 donation to charity of their choice.
   - All Top stepper/Most improved to receive individual prize.
   *contact events@pla.org.uk to find out how many from your firm have already signed up before you.

Tools & Support

• PLA weekly e-comms/e-marketing materials
• Challenge App: Stridekick Pro
• Challenge Coordinator: One representative from firm 

Expected Benefits

• Improved member health and wellbeing
• Increased productivity and focus
• Stronger sense of camaraderie across membership and internal firm teams
• Positive culture

Need a little help getting set up?

• How to set up your account + connect your device
• How to sync your steps
• How to join a challenge using a code

Email support@stridekick.com to get manual entry turned on for your account.