What challenge formats can I create?

Updated May 12, 2026 Admin

Vantage Fit offers a variety of challenge formats to keep employees engaged. Some you can create yourself from the dashboard, while others require your Vantage Fit account manager to set up for you.

Self-Serve Challenge Formats

These are the formats you can create directly from the Challenges page on your admin dashboard.

1. Custom Challenge

The most flexible format. Use this when none of the other formats fit your needs.

  • Multi-week duration with configurable themes per week.
  • Multiple tasks per theme (steps, activities, content, quizzes, and more).
  • Assign different point values to each task.
  • Supports individual and team participation.

Tip: Custom is the go-to format for most clients. If you are unsure which format to pick, start here.

2. Race

A straightforward step competition.

  • Employees compete on total step count over a set period.
  • Simple setup — just set the duration and go.
  • Great for quick, high-energy engagement bursts.
  • Individual leaderboard ranked by steps.

Best for: Short-term step competitions, weekly or monthly step challenges.

3. Journey

A visual milestone-based challenge where employees progress along a map.

  • 3 built-in templates (themed journeys with preset milestones) plus a custom template option.
  • Employees see their progress on a visual route map.
  • Milestones unlock as employees accumulate steps or complete tasks.
  • Creates a sense of adventure and progression.

Best for: Multi-week engagement programs, onboarding challenges, themed wellness months.

Journey challenge with visual milestone map

4. Streak

A daily consistency challenge.

  • Set a daily target (e.g., 5,000 steps per day).
  • Employees maintain a streak by hitting the target every day.
  • Streak breaks if the target is missed.
  • Encourages daily habit formation.

Best for: Building daily wellness habits, consistency-focused programs.

5. E-Marathon

A virtual marathon powered by steps.

  • Steps are converted into distance (kilometers or miles).
  • Employees "run" a virtual marathon over the challenge period.
  • Choose from standard distances (5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon) or set a custom distance.
  • Great visual progress toward a tangible goal.

Best for: Virtual running events, fitness milestones, team-building around a shared distance goal.

Ops-Only Challenge Formats

These formats require your Vantage Fit account manager to set up for you. Contact them to request these formats.

Format Description
Level Multi-level progression challenge with escalating difficulty.
Marathon Event Real GPS-tracked marathon with live distance tracking. Used for physical running events.
Weight Burn Weight loss challenge tracking body weight over time.
Training Plans Structured multi-week fitness programs with prescribed activities.

Note: Ops-only formats are typically used for specialized programs. Your account manager can help you decide if one is right for your company.

Which Format Should I Use?

Goal Recommended Format
Maximum flexibility, multi-activity Custom
Quick step competition Race
Visual progression, milestone rewards Journey
Daily habit building Streak
Virtual running event E-Marathon
Real outdoor running event Marathon Event (ops)
Weight management program Weight Burn (ops)

Tip: Most clients use a mix of Custom and Race challenges throughout the year. Custom challenges drive deeper engagement with diverse activities, while Races are perfect for quick energy boosts between larger programs.

Running Multiple Challenges in Parallel

You can run as many challenges at the same time as you want. Employees can participate in more than one active challenge at once, and progress, points, and rankings are tracked separately for each. A common pattern is one always-on Streak challenge for daily habit building paired with shorter, themed Races or Custom challenges layered on top.

Tip: When running multiple challenges concurrently, give each a distinct name and audience filter — employees should be able to tell at a glance which challenge a notification or leaderboard relates to.


Need more help? Contact your Vantage Fit account manager or email support@vantagecircle.com.

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