Step Up for Wellbeing: Why a Workplace Step Challenge Works for Everyone
Keeping active at work doesn’t need to be complicated — and it certainly shouldn’t be exclusive. One of the simplest, most inclusive wellbeing activities you can introduce is a workplace step challenge. Whether you’re in an office, working remotely or in a hybrid setup, a step challenge invites everyone to take part in an energising, social and healthy initiative.
What is a Step Challenge?
A step challenge is a friendly activity where participants track their daily steps over a set period of time, often working toward personal goals or friendly competition with colleagues. It’s flexible, team-friendly and easy to join without needing special equipment.
Why It’s Worth Doing
Here’s why step challenges continue to be one of the most popular wellbeing activities in organisations of all sizes:
🏃♂️ Inclusive and accessible
Walking is one of the most universally accessible forms of activity — and most people already carry a step counter in their pocket (your smartphone!). People with mobility differences can adapt the challenge by tracking equivalent activity (e.g., arm movements or wheelchair rolling).
💪 Improves physical health
Research shows that workplace step challenges consistently increase daily step counts over the challenge period, contributing to meaningful gains in physical activity levels and helping employees move closer to weekly activity targets.
😊 Boosts mental wellbeing
Regular movement is linked to reduced stress, improved mood and better overall mental clarity. Structured movement like a step challenge gives participants a reason to take breaks, reset and recharge during the day.
🤝 Builds connection and morale
Friendly competition — whether individual or team-based — creates camaraderie across departments and locations. For hybrid and remote teams, it’s a great way to forge shared goals and spark conversations.
📈 Flexible and low-effort to run
You don’t need a big budget or corporate gym to make it work. Challenges can be tracked via phones, wearables or simple spreadsheets, and run over a few weeks to fit your organisational rhythm.
How to Get Started
To make it even easier for you, I’ve put together a DIY Step Challenge template you can download, customise and launch across your teams.
Looking for External Support?
If you’d rather outsource the organisation and management of your step challenge — including tracking, leaderboards and participant support — an excellent Irish company like GoChallenge can run it end-to-end for you. They take care of the admin while you reap the engagement and wellbeing benefits. GoChallenge investor and lifelong Liverpool fan John O’Shea agrees that finding fun ways to stay physically active in and out of work really matters.
Tips for Success
Communicate clearly — share how to join, how to track steps, and how often you’ll update results.
Encourage teams — make it social with team goals or mix departments so people get to know new colleagues.
Celebrate progress — share weekly highlights and stories to keep momentum going.
A step challenge isn’t the be all and end all of wellbeing — but it is a light, inclusive way to get everyone moving, connecting and feeling a bit better every day.
Yours in health,
Brian
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brian Crooke is a wellbeing educator, speaker and adviser, empowering Irish organisations to promote and sustain wellbeing within their workplaces.
He is the founder of The Work Well Institute and the Workplace Wellbeing Ireland community and is Course Director of the Postgraduate Certificate in Workplace Wellness at Tangent, Trinity College Dublin. He is the host of The Work Well Podcast.
In his spare time, Brian is bringing free resistance training to every county and community in Ireland through his parkHIIT social enterprise.
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