Update: Vitality fitness points from April 2016

At Vitality, we are committed to motivating our members to get more active with a range of benefits that incentivise and encourage them to reach their personal fitness goals. From 2 April 2016, there will be changes to the ways in which members can earn Vitality fitness points linked to workouts, race events, fitness facilities and devices.

Here is a summary of the changes, with the latest information on these refinements.

• Vitality fitness points
  

The foundation of the Vitality programme is accurate, measurable and clinically valid physical activity data. The problem with unverified physical activity is that it rewards incorrect behaviour and ultimately, people end up cheating themselves.

From 2 April 2016, to minimise abuse within the Vitality programme, we will be moving towards verified heart-rate based workouts and shifting away from unverified physical activity.

We will award 100 Vitality points for a 30 minute moderate workout (at 70% to 79% of maximum heart rate) and encourage members to exercise multiple times per week at this intensity. Members who further improve their fitness levels will be able to achieve a 30 minute vigorous workout at a higher heart rate, for which we will award 300 points.

For athletes who are even further along in their fitness journey, we award even more points for longer duration vigorous workouts, including up to 3 000 points for those participating in occasional accredited and timed race events.

As part of the refinements, we will be awarding 100 Vitality points for a wide range of activity options such as step tracking, speed workout tracking, and gym visits. With 10 000 steps a day as the accepted minimum amount of steps to improve health, we will no longer be allocating points for tracking less than this amount. In line with our focus on more regular physical activity, members can earn 30 000 Vitality fitness points this year – double the 2015 cap.

Get more information on earning Vitality fitness points.

• Linked devices and apps
  

Over the past few months, many of our members have expressed frustrations due to data accuracy and integration issues with certain apps and devices. It is with this in mind that we are amending our list of apps and devices that can be used to earn Vitality fitness points, to ensure that we can continue to deliver a consistent and high level of service to members through direct integration with selected device partners.

Devices and apps that will be supported by the Vitality programme include Apple Watch and the Apple Health App, S-Health and Samsung Gear Watch, Garmin, Polar, Jawbone, Fitbit, Fitbug, Withings and Misfit. We value member input and will continue to add device and app partners when all relevant data criteria are met.

Fitbit are working on sending us the appropriate heart rate data required to allocate points to users of their heart rate devices. We are also working closely with Strava, SUUNTO and TomTom to get the required integrations in place to award Vitality points, and we are confident that this will be finalised with all three partners in the coming months. While no new SUUNTO and TomTom device linking will be possible until we have confirmed their integration, current users will continue to be supported.

Get more information on the latest devices and apps which can be used to earn Vitality points.

• Vitality Active Rewards goal adjustment
  

Almost 200 000 members are now enjoying Vitality Active Rewards, and the number keeps growing. To allow these members time to adapt their exercise routines to the new ways of earning Vitality fitness points, we will be adjusting Vitality Active Rewards goals down to 300 points (unless their current goal is lower). This goal can be achieved by members through, for example, 1 parkrun or 3 gym visits or 3 days of tracking 10 000 or more steps or 3 moderate cardio-vascular workouts.

It is important to remember that Vitality Active Rewards goal targets are not static. A fundamental design principle on which Vitality Active Rewards has been built is that the goals are personalised and dynamic. When members miss goals, the weekly goal will start to drop – to nudge them to get active. And when members achieve their goals, their goals will start to increase – to motivate them to get fitter.

Device and app support

We are excited about being part of the journey to better health and rewards. Visit our Vitality Support page for any queries related to fitness devices, apps and achieving Vitality fitness points. Members can also view their own personalised Vitality Dashboard and get a snapshot of their current Vitality Status, Points and Benefits.

Get active. Get rewarded.