Challenges - Your Plan for Health

Hit The Road With The Buckeyes

Team Walking Challenge  |  September 27 – November 28

Pre-Registration Begins September 20

This team walking challenge rewards you to walk the round-trip distance to the remainder of Ohio State’s away Big Ten football games. The total distance this year is 3,486 miles – approximately 6,972,000 steps! As we crisscross the Midwest, you will learn about the academic and athletic history of our conference companions. In order to more quickly unlock each destination, be sure to recruit a full team of 10 and sync your steps daily.

Challenge Basics

• Teams can have up to 10 participants
• You can self-enter activity or use a device
• You can change teams until September 26 (but not after the challenge begins)
• See full challenge rules
• View Team Challenges Overview webinar (19-minute getting started guide in BuckeyeLearn)

Weekly Engagement Drawings

Each week the challenge email will provide you with two engagement prompts. Follow the directions in the challenge email to be entered into the drawings for $25 PulseCash*. Activities must be completed by 11:59 PM on Sunday to be included in the contest. Only submissions via the challenge chat board are eligible for the drawing. Two winners will be drawn and notified each week of the challenge.

See weekly activities and winners

Grand Prize Drawings

Teams who unlock all challenge destinations will be entered into a drawing to win $50 PulseCash* for each team member. Three winning teams will be drawn and notified at the challenge conclusion

See grand prize winners

Points** Available (up to 5,000 max)

• Individual average of 4,000 – 7,499 steps/day: 1,000 points
• Individual average of 7,500 – 9,999 steps/day: 2,000 points
• Individual average of 10,000 – 12,499 steps/day: 3,000 points
• Individual average of 12,500+ steps/day: 4,000 points
• Individual step average ≥ challenge step average: 1,000 bonus points

Challenge Resources

Engage in any of the activities below to enhance your challenge experience!

Amazing Race To Wellness
Join us on October 15 from 11:00am-2:00pm for this exciting team competition. Groups of four will be sent on an adventure around the South Oval to complete challenges based on the Nine Dimensions of Wellness. Participation involves using teamwork and problem-solving skills, while engaging in light physical activity.

Exercise Your Way Through The Holidays
Why wait until the New Year to restart or establish your healthy exercise routine? Engaging in exercise now can be a valuable tool to get you through the challenges of the holiday season. Join health coach Alison in this four week series starting on November 3 from 11:30am-12:00pm.

Virtual Group Fitness Classes
Choose from a variety of live virtual classes including Zumba, STRONG and HIIT just to name a few. These classes are brought to you by Buckeye Wellness and are regularly scheduled throughout the calendar year so you can continue participating after the challenge ends.

Group Fitness OnDemand
Check out Rec Sports’ YouTube playlist on the Student Life Channel for OnDemand group fitness workouts. With everything from strength to yoga to cycling and ranging in length from 10 to 45 minutes, these videos will help you fit movement into your everyday schedule!

Written Workouts
Need inspiration for your next workout? Download a written workout from Rec Sports. Created by their certified instructors and trainers, each workout provides you with safe and effective exercises to work your upper, lower or total body.

The Fine Print
*Team members who did not participate in the challenge (i.e. join a team but do not log activity) are not eligible for prizes. PulseCash is subject to taxation at the time it is earned, so raffle winners can accept or decline the prize.

**You must log/sync your activity with the Virgin Pulse portal/app at least once per week (Mon-Sun) during six of the nine weeks of the challenge timeframe to be eligible for the reward points. If you are using an app/device, you have to regularly open the dashboard of that app/device for that data to be synced to the Virgin Pulse portal/app. Team members who did not participate in the challenge (i.e., join a team but do not log activity) will not receive points. Final points will be awarded by 12/10/21.

Take A Lap

Mini Spirit Challenge  |  August 30 – September 5

Pre-Registration Begins August 23

Football season is here! This mini challenge will get you in the Buckeye spirit and serve as a warm-up for our signature fall challenge, Hit The Road With The Buckeyes. Pre-assigned unit/department teams will compete for one week starting August 30 with multiple chances to win PulseCash.

Challenge Basics

• Teams will be automatically assigned within the portal based on unit/department
• You can self-enter activity or use a device
• You can change teams until August 29 (but not after the challenge begins)
• See full challenge rules

Prize Opportunities

The Buckeyes travel to Minnesota this week, so it’s time to dust off that scarlet and gray gear and get game ready! The challenge kick-off email will provide you with details on a variety of spirit week engagement activities. Follow the directions in the challenge email to be entered into drawings for $10 PulseCash*. Activities must be completed by 11:59 PM on Sunday, September 5 to be included in the contest. A total of 20 winners will be drawn and notified the week of September 13.

See submission categories and winners

Challenge Resources

Engage in any of the activities below to enhance your challenge experience!

Virtual Group Fitness Classes
Choose from a variety of live virtual classes including Zumba, STRONG and HIIT just to name a few. These classes are regularly scheduled throughout the calendar year so you can continue participating after the challenge ends.

View classes

The Fine Print
*Team members who did not participate in the challenge (i.e. join a team but do not log activity) are not eligible for prizes. PulseCash is subject to taxation at the time it is earned, so raffle winners can accept or decline the prize.

Create Your Own Challenge

You have the ability to challenge your peers by creating your own challenges at anytime.

You can choose from a steps challenge or many healthy habit challenges.

Learn how to create your own challenge here.

Previous Campus Challenges

Take a look back at the quarterly challenges from past years.

View challenges here.