Yahoo Finance New research suggests health apps are becoming as motivational as personal trainers
52% people surveyed said they would be more likely to be active if they used a health app – signalling an increase in the influence of modern technology on the way we exercise
The One Poll survey of 2,000 UK adults, commissioned by Lucozade Sport, has revealed how the increased use of health apps is heralding a new era in how people find motivation to exercise. With over half of adults (52%) agreeing they would be more likely to be active if they used a health app. It also found that 32% of adults using health apps did so over 20 times a month. The top reasons for using health apps included keeping motivated (48%), encouragement to be more active (37%), a great way to track progress (69%), and to set targets (32%).
The research also found that modern health apps are becoming as motivational as more traditional forms of exercise, such as personal trainers. 43% of adults found health apps more motivational than personal trainers in terms of exercise; whilst a 44% thought they would be more motivated to get moving if they had a personal trainer.
Victoria Spence, personal trainer and co-founder of #GirlGains also recognises the surge in health app popularity amongst UK adults when it comes to being motivated to exercise; commenting: “Health apps are becoming an intrinsic part of personal training. They are brilliant complimentary tools for my clients to use in between sessions; keeping them motivated and on track until we meet again.”
The research also found that 70% of adults said that their long term goal to moving more is to have a healthier lifestyle; however a lack of motivation is the biggest barrier to exercise and moving (40%). The most popular reasons include not having time (26%), are too lazy (23%) and do not enjoy exercising (22%).
In August 2016, Lucozade Sport set a bold ambition; to get 1 million people moving more by 2020. As part of it’s Made to Move campaign initiative, the brand commissioned this piece of research to understand what motivates people to exercise.
Lucozade Sport has recently developed a brand new health app to reward people for moving more. Launched this month (May 2017), The Made to Move™ App taps into the insight that people lack the motivation to exercise, by offering hundreds of daily prizes, and huge weekly prizes to incentivise subscribers to move.
The app works on a step-based system: for every 5,000 steps taken, users are automatically entered into a daily draw, to win fitness-inspired prizes such as Fitbits and places in Tough Mudder events. The more steps you take the more likely you are to win. If you take 5,000 steps three times in a week you are automatically entered into a weekly draw where you can win even bigger prizes, such as a weekend for two at the Tour de France, trips to Australia, Dubai and San Francisco as well as FA Cup Final tickets.
Steven Hind, Lucozade Sport Marketing Director, says: “We know that the majority of the nation wants to lead a more active life, but we appreciate that it’s sometimes hard to find the motivation to get out there and move more. We want to help people to enjoy the benefits that come with leading a more active life, which is why we have designed this app. We hope that it will provide people with an additional incentive to make moving more a part of their everyday lives – whether it’s a cycle around the park or taking on a new running challenge. Simply put, the more you move, the more chances you have of winning!”
To be entered in to the daily and weekly prize draws simply search “Lucozade Sport Made to Move” on The Apple App Store or Google Play and download – your smart phone will do the rest. Tracking your steps automatically and aggregating data from your existing health apps, including Apple Health, Google Fit & Fitbit.
Lucozade Sport’s Made to Move™ campaign kicked into action in October 2016 when IBF World Heavyweight Champion, Anthony Joshua, led fans on a flash-mob training run in Hampstead Heath. The drive to keep people moving more then saw the Olympic Champion host the first of Lucozade Sport’s Made to Move Sessions; a series of streamed workout classes hosted by a range of influential sport and fitness ambassadors, where he got over 60,000 tuning in to take part. Since then there have been a series of sessions hosted by PTs and social media influencers Bradley Simmons, Emily Skye and Vic & Tally from Girl Gains; as well as a football session with England striker Harry Kane.
