Introduction
The Western Pennsylvania Bleeding Disorders Foundation (WPBDF) has been dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by bleeding disorders for decades. As part of their commitment to promoting health and community engagement, WPBDF launched a monthly virtual fitness program using Pacer for Teams. By integrating step and distance challenges, the foundation has successfully motivated members to stay active while fostering a sense of connection and support.
The Challenge: Finding a Fitness Platform That Builds Community
Before adopting Pacer for Teams, WPBDF used a scavenger hunt-style platform that encouraged members to participate in various tasks, such as posting workout photos and sending messages. However, this approach lacked a real-time fitness tracking component, which members were actively seeking.
Key challenges included:
- Lack of real-time progress tracking – Participants wanted a platform to monitor their steps and distance while competing with others.
- Limited community engagement – The previous system did not allow members to share updates, post photos, or interact meaningfully.
- Need for an affordable and flexible solution – As a nonprofit, WPBDF required a cost-effective platform that could accommodate their budget and user needs.
Solution: Monthly Step and Adventure Challenges for Engagement
WPBDF chose Pacer for Teams because of its tiered pricing, ease of use, and built-in engagement features. The foundation implemented monthly step and distance challenges, along with Adventure Challenges, to provide variety and keep members motivated.
The program included:
- Step and Distance Challenges – Encouraging participants to increase their daily movement.
- Adventure Challenges – Virtual routes with interactive maps and fun milestone postcards to keep engagement high.
- Leaderboards and Motivational Content – Helping participants track progress and stay inspired.
- Pacer Premium Perks – Providing members with access to workout videos and nutrition tracking, extending the program’s benefits beyond step tracking.
Results: Strengthening Community and Long-Term Engagement
Since launching Pacer for Teams, WPBDF has seen:
- Stronger participation rates, with members actively involved in challenges each month.
- Improved engagement through Adventure Challenges, making fitness both fun and competitive.
- Increased motivation, with leaderboards driving friendly competition and goal-setting.
To further enhance engagement, WPBDF also created a Facebook group to share updates and motivate participants. Additionally, instead of only rewarding top performers, they introduced a raffle system, allowing all participants who completed a challenge to enter a drawing for small prizes—ensuring inclusivity and encouraging participation.
Conclusion
By implementing Pacer for Teams, WPBDF has successfully transformed its fitness program into a dynamic and engaging wellness initiative. Through a combination of monthly challenges, interactive features, and community support, the foundation has helped members stay active while reinforcing a strong sense of connection.
As WPBDF continues to evolve its wellness program, the success of its virtual challenges demonstrates the power of digital fitness solutions in strengthening nonprofit community engagement.
