Fitness apps offer rewards for your steps, but are they really worth it? (Note: I kept the meaning the same while making it more concise and natural. The original phrasing was already quite

Fitness apps offer rewards for your steps, but are they really worth it? (Note: I kept the meaning the same while making it more concise and natural. The original phrasing was already quite

Walking isn’t just good for your mood—it’s also linked to lower risks of depression and anxiety, better heart health, and improved memory. According to the NHS, even just 10 minutes of brisk walking daily can make a difference.

Now, thanks to a growing number of apps, your steps can earn you rewards like free coffee and other small treats. The government is even exploring whether financial incentives could encourage people to walk more and eat healthier, reviewing a pilot scheme in Wolverhampton where participants received fitness trackers and earned discounts on groceries.

In the meantime, we tested some apps that let you trade steps for rewards.

### Paace
If you want quick, tangible rewards, Paace is the simplest option. While it doesn’t specify how many steps equal a point, the points you earn can be redeemed for discounts at independent cafes and restaurants (mostly in London), like money off coffee, sandwiches, or even smoked salmon.

The app has over 98,000 downloads and 200+ partner vendors. It sets a daily goal of 8,000 steps. It took me about a week (averaging 14,000 steps a day) to earn enough points for my first reward—an iced latte for £1 (normally £3.70).

To claim a reward, add items to your basket and swipe to “unlock” the offer—but be quick, as vouchers expire after 15 minutes. So far, I’ve saved £15.10 using just under 500 points (the max you can store without upgrading to Paace+ for £29.99/year or £4.99/month).

Signing up requires sharing your name, email, and phone number. Location access helps find nearby deals, but you can disable this and still search manually—though some features may not work.

Jack Blackwell, owner of Debbie Jo Bakery in West London, says Paace has boosted foot traffic and attracted younger, active customers in their 20s. Businesses can adjust rewards to suit slower days, helping draw in more visitors.

### Sweatcoin
This app rewards steps with its own digital currency (Sweatcoin), which can be spent on in-app offers. Most deals are promotions—like free trials or “just pay postage” discounts on protein bars, socks, yoga subscriptions, or fitness gear—rather than straightforward freebies.

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Daily Rewards and Step Tracking
You can earn daily rewards (up to 21 coins if you maintain a streak) by watching ads. Sweatcoin sets a daily goal of 12,000 steps, which I rarely managed to hit. Unlike Paace, the rewards aren’t local or instant. There’s also a separate crypto feature—Sweat, a token you can earn if you switch to the blockchain version of the app. I didn’t opt in.

After a month of using Sweatcoin, I unlocked several free trials, including:
– A week’s supply of magnesium glycinate (though I paid £3.95 for postage)
– Discounts on HelloFresh and Green Chef
– A one-month Audible trial for 25 sweatcoins
– 10% off full-price Nike items for 130 coins

Upgrading to Premium (£24.99/year or £4.99/month) lets you earn extra coins for steps and access more rewards. The app runs in the background, tracking your steps, but whether you’ll actually use the coins is another question.

To sign up, you’ll need to provide your phone number and email. Sweatcoin may also collect data like contacts, photos, and payment details.

BetterPoints
This app rewards active commuting—walking, cycling, public transport—and sometimes recycling or attending exercise classes. Points can be exchanged for vouchers at Amazon, Argos, and New Look, or donated to charities like Air Ambulances UK and Cancer Research UK.

However, it only works fully if your local council or a partner organization runs a program in your area. Participating councils include Newham, Southwark, Sheffield, York, Oxfordshire, Leicestershire, East Dunbartonshire, Wrexham, and Deeside.

If your area is active, you’ll earn points for specific actions, like tracking a walk with GPS, scanning a QR code on a recycling bin, or checking in at a gym. Outside these areas, you can still log activities but won’t earn redeemable points—though you might enter prize draws.

The tracking isn’t always accurate (e.g., it once logged an e-bike ride as a car trip), so check regularly if you’re aiming for rewards. Unfortunately, my borough wasn’t part of the scheme, so I could only track walks without earning anything.

Sign-up requires your name, email, birth year, location, and postcode. You must enable location tracking and be at least 13 years old.

Data Privacy Concerns
All these apps collect personal data. Dr. Maryam Mehrnezhad, an information security expert at Royal Holloway, University of London, explains the trade-off: you’re essentially paying for free rewards with your data.

“These companies may use it for targeted ads or earn commissions when you redeem rewards,” she says. “They can also sell anonymized data to other businesses for trend analysis.”

Mehrnezhad advises users to be cautious about how their health and location data is used.

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How Your Data Is Used
While apps claim to use anonymized data, it can often be traced back to reveal personal details like your home and workplace.

“This data is extremely valuable—it can be used to build detailed profiles for targeted ads or other commercial purposes. But it also carries risks, like a potential data breach that could expose your health information and location history to hackers,” she explains.

You can limit what walking apps collect by adjusting your phone and in-app settings.

“One effective method is to change app permissions on your device—for example, setting location access to ‘Only While Using the App’ to prevent background tracking,” says Mehrnezhad.

However, she notes this might affect the app’s functionality.

“You have to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks. Personally, I’m uncomfortable with any app that wants to track my location constantly,” she adds.

Other Fitness Reward Apps
Several other apps and companies offer incentives for staying active and healthy, including:

Vitality (Health Insurance) – Policyholders earn points for activities like daily walks or gym visits. Points unlock weekly and monthly “Active Rewards,” such as free or discounted drinks at Caffè Nero, meal discounts at Itsu, or half-price cinema tickets. A gym workout earns five points, while a 5km parkrun gets you eight. You’ll need to sync your phone or fitness tracker with the app.

Decathlon (Retailer) – Customers earn points redeemable for online or in-store vouchers. Along with 10 points per £1 spent, you can get 150 points weekly by logging 150 minutes of exercise via apps like Strava or Garmin. Writing product reviews also earns points. 2,000 points = £3 voucher; 6,000 points = £10 voucher.

Biscuit (Dog Walking App) – Dog owners earn “Biscuits” (points) by tracking walks, completing wellness tasks (like flea treatments and vaccinations), and challenges. Points can be redeemed for vouchers at Costa, Tesco, Amazon, and Nando’s. The free version offers basic rewards, while the paid version (£3.99/month) lets you earn points five times faster. A spokesperson says premium users can earn enough for a free coffee in as little as 23 days.

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FAQS
### **FAQs About Fitness Apps That Reward You for Steps**

#### **Basic Questions**
**1. How do fitness apps reward you for steps?**
These apps track your steps and offer rewards like cashback, gift cards, discounts, or points redeemable for perks.

**2. Are these rewards really free?**
Mostly, yes—but some apps may require purchases, surveys, or watching ads to unlock rewards.

**3. Which apps pay you for walking?**
Popular options include **Sweatcoin, StepBet, Achievement, and WinWalk**.

**4. Do I need a fitness tracker to use these apps?**
Not always—many work with your phone’s step counter, but some sync better with wearables like Fitbit or Apple Watch.

#### **Benefits & Worth**
**5. Are these apps worth it?**
If you walk a lot, they can add small perks to your routine. But don’t expect big payouts—rewards are usually modest.

**6. How much can I actually earn?**
Most apps offer **$5–$20/month** for average users. Heavy walkers might earn slightly more.

**7. Do these apps really motivate people to walk more?**
For some, yes! The rewards can encourage consistency, but long-term habits depend on personal discipline.

#### **Common Concerns**
**8. Do these apps sell my health data?**
Some might share anonymized data with advertisers. Always check their **privacy policy** before signing up.

**9. Do they drain phone battery?**
Yes, constantly tracking steps can reduce battery life. Closing the app when not in use helps.

**10. Are there scams to watch out for?**
Stick to well-known apps. Avoid ones asking for **upfront payments** or excessive personal info.

#### **Advanced Tips**
**11. Can I use multiple apps to maximize rewards?**
Yes, but balance battery drain and effort vs. reward—stacking 2–3 apps is usually the sweet spot.

**12. How do I cash out rewards?**
Most apps pay via PayPal, gift cards, or charity donations. Check minimum payout thresholds.

**13. Are there better alternatives for fitness rewards?**
If steps