Vol. 9, No. 3
STATS
⬤ Bloom
⬤ Go Gold
⬤ Spring Into Motion
⬤ 10K-A-Day
⬤ All Others
Behind the Numbers
Seasonal (Bloom, Spring Into Motion) and event-driven challenges (Go Gold) account for 54% of launches in the first 6 months of 2026. Their popularity is due, in part, to the anticipation effect – the boost people get from looking forward to something positive. That’s why many organizations have made challenges like Walktober an annual tradition.
NPS = 82We inched up a point this month and are gratified to share this comment from a longtime partner… “The support from the HES team is phenomenal and I really appreciate everyone who works with our clients. The flexibility and care given to each client is top-notch. I love working with HES.”
JOY
“We spend so much of our time in the workplace, there needs to be joy brought to it.”
Natasha “Coco” Benitez
Wellness Program Manager
American University
The simple philosophy of bringing joy to the workplace shapes wellness programming across American University’s diverse workforce of more than 4000 faculty and staff. While movement and healthy habits are important outcomes, the bigger goal is creating moments of connection.
Read how American University builds community through wellness.
FALL
Walktober 2026 On Pace
for a New Record
Through the end of June, more organizations have committed to Walktober than at this point in any previous year — 6% ahead of last year’s record pace.
And while 2025 set new highs for participation, achievement, and satisfaction, we didn’t stand still. Here’s what’s new for 2026:
- 5 additional language options
- All-new global fall Discovery experiences and animations
- Updated badges celebrating engagement and community
- Refreshed daily tips and recipes
- Streamlined mobile registration
- Redesigned coordinator dashboard with improved participation insights
- Enhanced back-end monitoring and platform stability.
Discover why Walktober has become an annual tradition for hundreds of organizations. Contact your HES account manager to secure your spot today.
“We will never stop doing Walktober so long as I am Benefits Manager at Castle & Cooke, Inc.!”
Windi Armbruster
Benefits Manager, Castle & Cooke
INSIGHT
What We’re Writing
Blog
Can Walking Improve Mental Health in the Workplace?
Want to think more clearly, reduce stress, spark better conversations, and feel more connected at work? Learn why walking deserves a central role in supporting workplace mental health and how organizations can make it part of everyday culture.
Why “Always-On” Wellness Programs Lose Their Mojo
Giving employees space and something to anticipate may be the key to sustaining participation. Discover why some of the healthiest workplace cultures embrace wellness in waves, not nonstop campaigns.
7 Ways to Increase Wellness Program Participation Without Increasing Your Workload
This article explores 7 proven strategies that help organizations increase engagement by simplifying programs, reducing barriers, and making wellness easier for both employees and the people who manage it.
White Paper
Whole-Person Health Begins with a Walk
Walking for health and well-being is a life-changing habit. When taking a walk becomes a daily routine, substantial benefits – that go well beyond fitness – arise. A walking routine promotes thriving in all domains of well-being and enhanced quality of life.
UPGRADE
Simpler Activity Syncing
We’re upgrading the way participants connect their devices beginning this fall. By transitioning from Fitbit to Google Health, we’re providing a smoother, more reliable syncing experience while supporting Fitbit and other devices people already use. Participants can expect a seamless transition and an even better experience going forward.
BYE
Why We Sunset Spring Into Motion
Familiarity builds tradition. Novelty builds anticipation. We continually evolve our challenge lineup so participants experience both. That’s why we retire some programs, reinvent others like Walktober, and keep introducing new experiences. See what we’re working on for 2027 and beyond.
2027
Get Ready to Groove in 2027
It’s a whole new kind of challenge — where every step moves participants through time, revealing iconic songs, memorable moments, and the soundtrack of a decade.
Launch Dates:
- Groove: The 80s — May 17
- Groove: The 90s — September 20
- Groove: The 00s — January 17, 2028
Choose from 3 decades — the 80s, 90s, or 00s — to create the experience that’s right for your organization. Launch a different decade each year, or ask your HES account manager about a 12-month bundle featuring all 3 challenges at special pricing.
A New Way to Experience 10K-A-Day
We’re reimagining one of HES’s most popular wellness challenges. In August 2027, 10K-A-Day will become a series of immersive themed experiences that organizations can rotate year after year.
Participants will explore everything from Iconic City Walks and Hidden Gems to Coastal Journeys and World National Parks. Organizations gain a proven program that stays fresh, builds anticipation, and encourages employees to return year after year.
A Peek at PEAK
PEAK (still in ideation stage) is a physical activity challenge focused on stamina, strength, balance, and flexibility. It’s designed to make everyday activities — walking, running, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, twisting, climbing, and more — easier.
TEAM
Welcome computer science major Grace Riddle to our development team as a summer intern. A track and cross country athlete for the Michigan Tech Huskies, Grace has been off and running since joining us in May.
Get a Quote or a 1:1 Demo in a Hurry
For a not-to-exceed quote fast, email learnmore@hesonline.com with your:
- Organization name
- Eligible population
- Program name (choose 1 or more).
We’ll get back to you within 1 business day. Want to talk through your options or schedule a live demo? Call 800.326.2317.
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