Let’s say it plainly: your step goal is nobody’s business but yours.
Maybe you’re recovering from an injury. Maybe you’re on your feet all day and walking in the evening is the last thing you need. Maybe you’re just getting going and a short walk round the block is a genuinely big deal right now. Or maybe you love a long hike and aim high. All of that is completely fine, and none of it needs to be on show.
That’s why, in Strideora, your daily step goal and your step numbers are private.
Why we made goals private
A lot of step apps treat walking like a public scoreboard. Big numbers get the applause. Smaller numbers quietly get ignored, or worse, feel embarrassing.
We think that puts people off. The people who’d most enjoy walking with others are often the ones who don’t want their numbers compared with the group’s keenest walker.
So we flipped it round. You pick a goal that fits your life. You keep it to yourself. And you still get to be part of a team.
What your group sees, and what it doesn’t
Here’s exactly how it works:
- Private: your daily goal and your step numbers. Members never see anyone’s step count, ever.
- Shared: a notification to the group when you hit your goal, or when you hit it a number of days in a row (a streak). Hitting your goal also feeds into the group score.
- Up to you: the cheers and comments you choose to post in the activity feed.
The group score is the share of member-days where people hit their own goal. So when you hit yours, you’ve helped the team just as much as anyone else. Your group hears that you did it, not how many steps it took. Nobody knows whether your goal was a gentle stroll or a mammoth trek, and nobody needs to.
No shame, in either direction
“No shame” works both ways.
No shame in a smaller goal. If a modest goal is what fits your life this month, that’s the right goal. Hitting a goal you can actually reach, day after day, is far more satisfying than missing one that was never realistic.
No shame in a bigger goal, either. If you love walking and want to aim high, go for it. You’re not showing off, because nobody’s seeing the number. You’re just doing your thing.
No shame in an off day. Life happens. A missed day is one day. Tomorrow’s a fresh start, and your group will be cheering when you’re back on it.
How to choose a goal that’s right for you
There’s no magic number here, and we’re not going to give you one. A few gentle pointers instead:
- Start where you are. Have a look at what a normal day looks like for you now, and pick something a little above that, not miles above it.
- Make it hittable on a busy day. If your goal only works on a quiet Saturday, it’ll feel like a constant miss on a Tuesday.
- Adjust as you go. Goals aren’t set in stone, and you can change your target step count at any time. If it’s too easy, nudge it up. If it’s making you miserable, bring it down. Either choice is a good one, and nobody else will see the change.
- Listen to your body. If you have a health condition or you’re unsure what’s sensible for you, it’s always worth checking with your GP or a health professional.
Why private goals make groups better
Something lovely happens when nobody’s comparing numbers. People cheer each other more freely. Quieter members feel able to join in. Friends with very different routines can be in the same group without anyone feeling out of place.
A grandparent and a grandchild can both hit their goals and both count equally. A colleague using a walking aid and a colleague training for a half marathon are on the same team. That’s what we mean by “everyone counts”.
It’s your walk
At the end of the day, walking should feel good. Not like a test, not like a competition you didn’t sign up for, and definitely not like something to be embarrassed about.
So walk your own walk. Set your own goal. Keep it to yourself if you like. Your group’s got your back either way.
Coming soon
Strideora is nearly ready for iPhone and Android. If private goals and a friendly team sound like your kind of walking, join the waitlist on our coming soon page and we’ll let you know when it launches. Members join free, and organisers get their first month free.
