Google Fit app to bring monthly challenges in 2019
Yes, it’s that time of the year again. As 2019 starts, many people around the world will be optimistically setting themselves New Year’s resolutions. Google hopes to make the job at sticking to those fitness goals a bit easier with its new initiative.
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From January, the company will offer monthly fitness challenges in the Google Fit app. Apple has been doing this for a while now. Every so often, the Cupertino outfit runs a special Activity challenge allowing users to earn special awards. The last one ran on Veterans Day in November.
Google’s first challenge is set to go live on January 1st. It will revolve around Heart Points which were introduced during the summer as part of a software update.
Rather than the step count that is typically used, the goal with Heart Points is to make your heart pump harder. This could be anything from earning points for picking up pace when walking your dog, to double-the points if you opt for more intense activities such a going for a run.
The New Year challenge will encourage users to earn 150 Heart Points each week during January. This tallies with the American Heart Association (AHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO)’s respective activity recommendations. They’ve calculated that this amount of exercise helps to reduce the risk of heart disease, improve sleep and increase overall mental well-being.
Google has turned to social media to spread awareness about the challenge.
For more inspiration, we’ve teamed up with 36 influencers from nine countries around the globe to show us how they’re earning their Heart Points. Follow #GetFitWithGoogle on Instagram and YouTube to see how others are tackling the challenge, or share your own tips and tricks on how you #GetFitwithGoogle with your favorite Heart Points workout.
To participate you’ll need to head to the Google Fit app and sign up. The app will dish out words of encouragement during the month to push you to collect those Heart Points.
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