Skip to main content

Sweatcoin is the fitness app that pays you in digital currency to work out

At the start of a new year, many of us vow to work out more, lead healthier lives, and lose some weight. Unfortunately, studies show that most of us also abandon those goals only a few weeks later. But a new app called Sweatcoin has a unique way to keep users exercising by offering virtual currency that can be used to purchase real products and services.

Available for iOS and Android, Sweatcoin uses your smartphone’s GPS capabilities and onboard accelerometer to track your movement. For every 1,000 steps that it records, the user earns .95  “sweatcoins,” which can later be spent on a wide variety of things, including electronics, workout classes, fitness gear, gift cards, and so on.

Recommended Videos

Sweatcoin was created by of a London-based company called Sweatco and launched in the summer of 2017. The idea behind the app is to give smartphone users an incentive to actually exercise by offering tangible items as a potential reward. This approach seems to be working because, according to The New York Times, Sweatcoin was the most downloaded fitness app by September 2017 and has consistently stayed on the charts ever since.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Of course, there are a few caveats to using Sweatcoin that potential users should be aware of. For instance, in order to get credit for the steps you take, you have to run or walk outside and you have to have the app running in the background at all times. The outdoor stipulation means that those who run on treadmills or indoors at a gym won’t be able to accumulate sweatcoins for their efforts. Having the software running on your phone at all times also means that GPS services will put a serious hit on the battery as well.

Sweatcoin
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Sweatcoin app is free to use, but its lowest tier — dubbed a “Mover” account — limits users to accumulating just five sweatcoins per day. If you want to earn enough digital currency to buy a Fitbit or Apple Watch, it will take forever at that rate. The next level up is the Shaker account, which costs 4.75 sweatcoins a month, but allows earnings of up to 10 coins per day, while the Quaker and Breaker tiers cost 20 and 30 sweatcoins per month, respectively, but up the earning potential to as much as 15 and 25 coins each day.

For runners and walkers who are already working out on a daily basis, sweatcoin seems like a bit of a no-brainer, allowing them to earn virtual dollars that they can spend on all kinds of things. But for those looking for a little extra incentive, this app just might be the key to stay motivated and healthy throughout the year. Visit the Sweatcoin website to learn more.

Kraig Becker
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kraig Becker is a freelance outdoor writer who loves to hike, camp, mountain bike, trail run, paddle, or just about any other…
8 iPhone browser apps you should use instead of Safari
iPhone browser apps

By default, the Safari web browser is available on every iPhone, including the iPhone 15 series. Nevertheless, several other web-browsing options can be found on the App Store, each with at least one unique feature that distinguishes it from the others. While some web browser apps like Google Chrome, DuckDuckGo, and Microsoft Edge might already be familiar to you, others such as Aloha and Arc Search may not be.

If you're looking for a Safari alternative, here are our favorite iPhone browser apps you should consider using instead.
Google Chrome

Read more
Google Messages vs. Samsung Messages: Which app should you use?
Google messages versus samsung messages app icons side by side on Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Amid the rise of third-party messaging apps, texting remains a popular means of messaging in the U.S. If you own an Android phone, you've likely used or heard of Google Messages, which is positioned as the default text messaging app for Android. It is the culmination of Google's long history with multiple messaging platforms. Google has pursued smartphone companies to use its Dialer and Messages apps as their default since at least 2017 and now mandates them to use Google Messages as the default messaging app on all devices.

Meanwhile, if you have been a Samsung user in the past, you have likely also known and experienced the Samsung Messages app, which comes preinstalled on all Samsung phones and cannot be uninstalled. This is despite losing its spot as the default messaging app on Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

Read more
Is Temu legit? Everything you need to know about the shopping app
temu app is it legit scam how download explained on iphone

Temu is an online marketplace that offers a wide selection of products at remarkably low prices. Launched in 2022, it connects consumers directly with manufacturers and suppliers, primarily based in China. By cutting out traditional retail markups, Temu passes the savings on to shoppers. This enables them to offer deals on a variety of items, including clothing, electronics, home goods, and beauty products, often at prices significantly lower than those of competitors.

However, it's important to understand that these low prices can sometimes come with trade-offs, such as potential concerns about product quality, shipping times, and customer service. While Temu can be an excellent choice for budget-conscious shoppers, it's crucial to be a discerning consumer. Carefully reading reviews and considering potential risks before making a purchase is advisable.

Read more