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. Use Download to keep a copy.
Related MEM tools
- Gamification
- Running Club
- Challenges