Lesson 6 of 7
Using gamification to increase engagement
Learning objectives
- Use streaks, points and badges to reinforce behaviour, not gimmicks
- Pick metrics worth rewarding
- Avoid gamification that pushes unhealthy behaviour
- Run a leaderboard that does not crush new starters
Gamification is behaviour design, not entertainment
The job of a streak, a point or a badge is to make the right behaviour feel rewarding before the long-term outcome arrives. Reward consistency, not maximum effort. Reward turning up, not winning.
Pick the right metrics
Good: weekly check-in completed, weekly action hit, weekly call attended, programme adherence, sleep / step targets met. Bad: lowest body weight, biggest deficit, hardest workout completed — these reward behaviour that injures or burns out members.
Leaderboards without the damage
Rank by adherence and consistency, not by absolute fitness. Reset weekly so a new joiner can win in week one. Celebrate everyone who hit their action — not just the top of the board.
Use the MEM gamification, XP, streaks and challenge tools as the rails; layer your coaching tone on top.
Founder insight — Derrick Twum
MEM's XP, streaks and challenge systems were built to reward the boring stuff — turning up, checking in, sleeping more — because that's what drives the result clients actually want.
Key takeaway
Reward consistency, not extremes. Good gamification builds habits; bad gamification creates casualties.
Reflection questions
- 1What 3 behaviours do I want my group rewarding every week?
- 2What metric would I refuse to gamify, and why?
- 3How will I make sure a new starter can still feel a win in week one?
- 4What will the weekly recognition moment look like?
Action task
Pick your 3 rewardable behaviours and write your weekly recognition post template.
Worksheet
Work through these prompts. Answers save to this device.
Answers are saved to this device only. Cloud sync coming soon.
Related MEM tools
- Gamification
- Running Club
- Challenges