Striiv: The Fitness App That Will Get You Addicted

I don’t know about you, but if I shed pounds for every minute I play my game of the month (current addiction: Pocket Planes; you really should try it), I would be thinner than Kate Moss in her heyday. If engaging in fitness exercises were as addictive as these games, everyone would probably be as fit as a fiddle.

Striiv

That’s the premise of Striiv, a fitness app available for iOS devices.

You may be thinking, “What? Another fitness app?” I know what you mean. That was my first thought as well, but it does bring an additional element: gamification.

I should have been clearer, though, as Striiv not only refers to the iOS app, but also to the accompanying Striiv Play Smart Pedometer. This tiny device connects with the iOS app to give you the entire fitness experience with the element of fun thrown into the mix.

Striiv Play

So you have the fitness tracker which gives you information such as your steps, the distance you’ve traveled, and calories. While it connects to the iOS app, your devices do not need to be constantly connected. The fitness tracker will do its job on its own.

On the app side is where the source of motivation can be observed. More than simply tracking your fitness activities, Striiv incorporates a video game called “My Land”. The premise is to tend to your land and expand.

Here’s the “catch”: You have to complete challenges in the real world in order to make progress in the game. That could mean climbing so and so flights of stairs or walking a certain number of miles. If you do not meet the challenges, then you will not be able to achieve success in the game.

Gamification or bribery?

You can look at it whichever way you want, but I am really intrigued and tempted to give it a go. And I believe that this fitness tracker+app+game will be able to get people to get off their butts more. Are you with me?

[Images via Striiv]