Virtual Walking Challenges: A fun and effective way to exercise
There are many ways to exercise to keep fit. Some people enjoy getting their running shoes on and smashing in a 5k or 10k on a Sunday morning, others strap their helmet on and head out to the countryside to cycle their way to fitness. Some people just enjoy a good walk.
Walking is a great way to get fit and stay healthy, and is suited for people of all ages, body types and fitness levels. It’s low-impact, easy on the joints, and can be done just about anywhere. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult to get the motivation up to head out, even just for a leisurely stroll, especially if they’re doing it alone. This is where the Fitwins Virtual Walking Challenge comes in.
Virtual walking challenges are the perfect partner for helping you to stay motivated and on track with your fitness goals.
Benefits of the Fitwins walking challenge
Set goals and track your progress – Fitwins virtual challenges give you the freedom to choose your own specific goal to work towards, with distance targets ranging from 25 miles up to more than 200 miles. By giving yourself a defined target, it can help you stay motivated and on track with your fitness goals.
Connect with other people – The Fitwins online community is where our participants can connect with each other, share tips and advice, and offer support. Having this support network to lean on when you’re feeling low or lacking in personal motivation can be absolutely vital to achieving your goals.
Explore new places – The beauty of the Fitwins walking challenge is that no matter where you’re walking, whether you’re on a treadmill, up a mountain or just walking around your local village, you can take amazing virtual tours around some of the most beautiful and famous cities of the world. As you stroll the mean streets of Milton Keynes, your Fitwins tour will take you past the Colosseum of Rome, the Eiffel Tower of Paris, and the Brooklyn Bridge of New York.
Connect with friends and family – Our virtual walking challenges are a great way to get exercise and have fun with your loved ones at the same time. Get the family out of the house and let them help you to hit your targets. Fitwins has a great Refer-a-Friend bonus where you will receive HALF PRICE medal entry for referring friends and family to join you on the challenge, and everybody that joins you on the leaderboard will also receive half price entry.
Can I get a medal for taking the virtual walking challenge on?
With Fitwins, you can sign up for the virtual challenge absolutely free, and this will give you some great features, such as joining the global leaderboard and taking the virtual tour of the challenge city. You can, however, upgrade your entry at any time, which will then provide you with a solid heavyweight medal of achievement, plus a cool reward pack including certificate and some goodies by our partner brands. The price is usually £18 per challenge, but remember, you can refer a friend to join you on the journey and both of you will receive half price medal entry.
You can also buy multiple challenge credits at great discounted rates. Just visit our pricing page to see the discount deals available.
If you’re looking for a fun and effective way to get fit and stay motivated, then we encourage you to try the Fitwins virtual walking challenges.
Tips for succeeding in our virtual walking challenge
Choose a challenge that fits your fitness level – Our walking challenge goals start at 25 miles and go up as high as more than 200 miles, so there’s a target for everybody.
Set realistic goals – Don’t try to do too much too soon. Start with a small goal, such as walking for an hour a few times a week. Once you reach that goal, you can gradually increase the distance or frequency of your walks. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint!
Track your progress – Tracking your progress is a great way to stay motivated and see how far you’ve come. Keep on coming back to the app to see where you on the leaderboard against everybody else, or if you’ve signed up for medal entry you can create a group with your friends. Keep track of how they’re doing; if they’re storming ahead then their success may motivate you to keep going further, or if you’re the one storming ahead then you can encourage them to push on.
Find a walking buddy – Walking with a friend or family member can help you stay motivated and accountable. There will be days that you just don’t feel like walking, so having a buddy along for the journey will keep you on the path to fitness and achievement.
Join the online community – Our social media group is a super-active place where Fitwins users of all kinds will share their progress, whether they’re runners, walkers or cyclists. We share these amazing achievements across our digital platforms weekly, with Wednesday Wins.
Find a comfortable walking spot. If you’re walking indoors, find a treadmill or track that’s the right size for you. If you’re walking outdoors, find a path or trail that’s well-maintained and has a variety of scenery.
Advice for walkers
By doing a virtual challenge, you’re still going to need to leave the house (unless you’re doing it on a treadmill, of course!) and therefore will need to plan the actual walking part of the challenge. Here’s our advice for ensuring you have a great experience whilst walking.
Wear comfortable shoes – The right pair of shoes can make a big difference in your walking experience. Make sure to choose shoes that are supportive and that fit you well. There’s nothing worse than being twenty miles from anywhere and getting a massive blister on your heel.
Dress appropriately for the weather – If you’re walking outdoors, be sure to dress in layers so that you can adjust your clothing as needed. If you’re headed to the moors or the countryside, ensure you’re wearing something that might protect you from all weathers.
Bring water and snacks – Staying hydrated and fuelled is vital for any workout, but it’s especially important when you’re walking for an extended period. Keep yourself topped up and you’ll be equipped to take on the world.
Listen to your body – If you’re feeling pain, sit down and take a break. Don’t push yourself too hard. You want to get fit and healthy in a fun and enjoyable way, it shouldn’t be punishment.
How the Fitwins Virtual Challenge works
The Fitwins virtual walking challenges are very easy to figure out. These are the steps:
- Download the Fitwins app via the links below and register for a free account
- If you want to earn a premium medal for completing the challenge, then you’ll need to purchase credits
- Link your Strava account to the app if you’re tracking your progress using GPS. Don’t worry if you don’t have or want Strava, you can enter your distance manually within the Fitwins app
- Find the challenge you wish to take part in and register for it, either for free or by using one of your pre-paid credits
- Start walking. Your Strava will sync to your Fitwins and update your progress automatically.
- Explore the world by visiting your challenge dashboard, with Google Streetview visuals that highlight how far along the virtual tour you’ve made it
- Aim for the first 25-mile target, and once you’ve hit it you can accept the next distance goal. You can choose to call it a day too, but don’t you owe it to yourself to take it as a far as possible?
Really though, the easiest way to learn about how Fitwins works is by trying it for yourself and exploring our great app. It is free to download, and you only pay for the medal entry part of the challenges, so why not download it via the links below from your app store of choice and at least give it a try?
