Crowdfunded rewards for achieving fitness goals

HealthRally enables users to contribute money towards a reward for someone else, in an effort to motivate that person into achieving a particular fitness goal.

There’s no underestimating the impact of social influences on motivating consumers, and the need for a helping hand is particularly acute when it comes to reaching fitness goals. Recent examples include Finnish Heiaheia, which aims to motivate users by simply making their fitness achievements visible to friends and family. Now, HealthRally takes the concept a step further by allowing supporters to contribute money towards a tangible reward for when the user achieves a particular fitness goal. Users of San Francisco-based HealthRally can set up a “rally” for themselves or for a friend. In either case, they specify a fitness goal — quitting smoking, for example, or losing 10 pounds — along with a deadline. Next, they can invite friends and family members to join the rally and pledge their financial and moral support for a successful outcome, with progress updates along the way. One success story currently featured on the site, for instance, portrays a young mother who wanted to lose 10 pounds gained during pregnancy; when she succeeded by her three-month deadline, her 15 supporters collectively donated USD 150 toward a pair of skinny jeans. HealthRally itself, meanwhile, charges a fee of 7 percent on pledges, plus credit card transaction fees of up to 3 percent. Health may be its own reward, but that doesn’t mean a little tangible motivation can’t help sweeten the deal. Financial rewards, in fact, make success three times more likely, HealthRally says. A model to emulate locally, or on a niche basis? Spotted by: Hal Mackins