New fitness app will literally pay you to work out

If a costly gym memberships has put you off joining a gym, one new app will pay you for working out instead

The UK is in the midst of an obesity epidemic, and with weight loss a New Year's Resolution for many, having a financial reward could hold the key to stripping fat.

A recent study conducted by the University of Warwick put smartphone app Sweatcoin under the spotlight. This app converts users' steps into currency which can be exchanged for goods.

App users saw a 20 per cent increase in physical activity, a figure which out-performed the kind of increase in activity traditional techniques had.

How does the app work?

For every 1,000 steps made, Sweatcoin generates 0.95 Sweatcoins. These can be used to purchase products on the in-app marketplace, in local shops, or in a transfer between other users. Available goods range from a mere cup of coffee to more expensive products such as a TV. It uses a GPS-based verification algorithm that rewards only genuine outdoor steps, ensuring the concept cannot be cheated. Think you can get paid for skipping leg day? Think again. Sweatcoins are already being accepted as payment by more than 300 'vendor partners' in the US, UK and Europe, including, Sky, Hellofresh and Boohoo.

What did the study say?

The University of Warwick study looked at the movement of 6,000 people, all using Sweatcoin. After downloading the app, researchers found daily step count increased by an average of 19.5 per cent over a six-month period. For people most lacking in fitness motivation (sedentary individuals with a high BMI), the app was found to be particularly effective. According to the NHS, the average person takes between 3,000 and 4,000 steps a day. A 20 per cent increase will add between 600 and 800 steps a day. This potentially brings the annual step count close to 1.8 million steps. The good news is this should be enough to generate almost 2,000 Sweatcoins, while also burning 13 kilograms of body fat.  

What else can you do to lose weight?

By increasing your step count, you will also burn more calories - and it's this which will lead to weight loss. In addition to boosting your activity levels, changing your diet will also help you burn fat for this very reason. There are many online calculators available which help to estimate your daily intake. You could begin by taking 10-20% off that figure and then consuming that new amount through food. The pounds will be lost in no time. Read more health and fitness content from JOE:

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