February 22nd this year marked an important beginning! It was the day we initiated the GOQii India Steps Challenge in partnership with Network18 to make India a country that walks for good health!
The challenge was conceptualized when we came across a study conducted by Stanford University in 2017. It deemed Indians as the laziest in the world, clocking in an average of only 4297 steps a day. This average was challenged in 2018, when the IndiaFit Report 2018 found that the national average had increased to 6783 steps a day.
The GOQii India Steps Challenge sought to drive this number up considerably. By gamifying walking and introducing exciting rewards, GOQii was able to make people walk more. After 100 days and participation of over 2 million individuals from all over India, we are excited to announce that the national average has now reached 9391 steps a day, beating Stanford’s research by 118%.
Apart from this, we found that women walked just as much as men. Women participants clocked an average of 9184 steps a day. Their male counterparts clocked an average of 9436 steps a day.
The youth of India took a healthy step forward, with participants below the age of 25 walking an avg of 9443 steps a day
We also received reports from participants who began walking to earn rewards but as the challenge drew to a close, they began walking for their health. There were numerous stories of individuals who began walking every day and even managed to lose some weight and be healthy. 
Winner Gives All!
Rajneesh Sharma from Pathankot in Punjab won the grand prize of Rs. 5 lakh. He managed to clock in an average of 39,657 steps daily! Rajneesh was able to achieve this by being active for 5-6 hours a day. Apart from him, there were 3 other players who clocked a daily average of 36,000 steps a day.
“I am very happy to have won this challenge as I have decided to give this money to an NGO – ‘Shiv Bhole Langar Samiti’ with whom I volunteer. This NGO feeds people in Himachal Pradesh’s Hadsar and Gauri Kund area. I participated and started walking to keep myself fit only to be able to climb up 13 km to feed people as part of the NGO work. Then my friends joined me and that kept me motivated.”
The support we received was amazing! We look forward to even more participating from the June Challenge initiated within the GOQii app.
To collect your GOQii India Steps Challenge certificate, you can:
- Open the app
- Select Arena
- Click on Challenges
- Click on India Steps Challenge
You can either download the e-certificate or get a copy sent to your address.
Stay tuned for our next challenge and keep an eye out for GOQii Play!
#BeTheForce
We also heard from people who started walking to earn rewards but switched to walking for their health as the challenge came to an end.