How to Run a Step Challenge: A Host's Guide (with Rules)

Step 1: Pick the Group and the Plan

Decide who to invite. The size of the group decides the type of challenge and if the host needs to pay. Members always join free.

A free host can run 3 duel or group challenges at the same time. With Upkeep Pro, the number is unlimited. The annual trial is available in most countries. US prices; local prices differ. Prices checked 16 October 2026.

Running a challenge for coworkers? Read Step Challenge App for Work for what a work challenge needs.

Step 2: Pick the Length and a Daily Target

Length. With Upkeep Pro or a Creator Pass, a challenge runs up to 30 days. A short first round works well: it is easy to commit to, and it shows you if the target fits the group. You can go longer in the next round.

Daily target. In Upkeep, the target can be 3,000 to 50,000 steps a day, in increments of 500. Pick one that most people reach on a normal day. If only the most active person can reach it, the others stop trying.

Rest days. You also pick the rest days per week. Upkeep then shows how many days each person must meet the target to finish the challenge.

Step 3: Create It in Upkeep and Share the Invite Link

1. Install Upkeep and create a challenge.
2. Set the daily target, the length, the rest days and the start date. The challenge can start tonight at midnight, tomorrow, or on a date you pick.
3. Share the invite link in your group chat, by text message or by email.
4. Members open the link and join free on an iPhone with iOS 18 or later or on Android 10 or later.

Upkeep reads steps from Apple Health on iPhone and from Health Connect on Android. A watch or tracker that writes to those apps works too. If a member's count looks wrong, send them Step Count Wrong? Set Your Step Source Order.

The challenge starts at midnight in the host's time zone, which is the same moment for everyone. Each member's daily steps count in their own local time.

Step 4: Keep People Going During the Challenge

• Leaderboard. Everyone sees the rankings and which days each person met the target.
• Kudos. Members can send kudos to each other.
• Reminders. The host can send a reminder to all members.
• Auto-roll. Any host can turn on auto-roll. When the challenge ends, a new round starts with the same people.

Upkeep checks synced days. A day that does not look like real walking can be removed from a challenge result. Steps entered by hand never count. For more on fair results, read How to Stop Cheating in a Step Challenge.

Step 5: End It and Decide What Is Next

When the challenge ends, Upkeep shows the result. The person who met the daily target on the most days wins. If two people tie, the one with more total steps wins. If they are still level, the person who joined first wins. If nobody meets the target on enough days, nobody wins.

If you promised a prize, give it outside the app. Upkeep moves no money. Then decide what is next: let auto-roll start the next round, or create a new challenge with a new target or a longer length.

Step Challenge Rules Template

Copy the rules below. Fill in each part in [brackets], then paste the rules in your group chat or email with the invite link.

[Challenge name]: Step Challenge Rules

Dates: [start date] to [end date] ([number] days)
Daily target: [number] steps a day
Rest days: [number] per week. Meet the target on [number] of [number] days to finish.
Day start: midnight in [host's time zone]. Your daily steps count in your local time.

Who can join
- Invite only. Join with the invite link from [host name] by [date].
- The app is Upkeep. It is free to join on iPhone or Android.

What counts
- Steps from Apple Health (iPhone) or Health Connect (Android).
- Steps that you enter by hand do not count.
- Upkeep can remove a day that does not look like real walking.

How the winner is decided
- The leaderboard in Upkeep decides.
- The most days at the daily target wins. Total steps break a tie.
- If nobody meets the target on enough days, nobody wins.

Prizes (optional)
- [Prize, or "No prize"]. [Host name] gives any prize outside the app.
- Upkeep moves no money.

Conduct
- Walk your own steps. Do not give your phone or watch to another person.
- Be kind in the group chat. Cheer people on.
- Questions go to [host name] at [contact].