Log your steps
Frequently asked questions
When is the steps challenge taking place?
The steps challenge will take place from 00:00 (your local time) Friday 28 April to 23:59 Wednesday 3 May 2023 (your local time).
Who can take part?
The challenge is open to all students, staff and members of the Leeds University community – we’d love for you to get your friends and colleagues involved.
How does it work on Teams?
The challenge is taking place through Microsoft Teams – you will be added into the main Teams chat with all participants and also a group with your own Team members. It is here that you will be able to chat to your team and everyone else taking part in the challenge as well as view and post photos.
How do I get points for me and my team?
Do as many steps as you can each day, log your step count at the top of this page and encourage your team mates to do the same. You can also share your photos on the main Teams chat group to see if you can win a Photo Bonus for your team.
What are the Photo Bonuses?
There are 3 photo bonus categories:
- Photo of an animal/ wildlife
- Photo of an architectural feature – e.g. interesting buildings, bridges, churches etc
- Photo of any sporting event, facility or activity, in keeping with our Varsity theme
The top 5 photos in each category will be shortlisted by the team and the winners will be voted on by all Leeds Varsity Step Challenge participants. 3,000 steps and an Edge day pass will be awarded to the winner of the best photo in each photo category, 2,000 steps will be awarded for second place in each photo category and 1,000 steps will be awarded for third place in each photo category.
How do I submit my photos to be in with a chance of winning a Photo Bonus?
Please post all photos to the main Leeds Varsity Steps Challenge Teams Chat to be in with a chance of winning.
How can I track my steps?
Most smartphones have an in-built fitness/health app that will measure your steps when your device is on you. For example, Health on iOS and Google Fit on Android.
Please see below for some further suggestions on apps that track step count:
- Pacer– activity tracker, step counter and more. Available on iOS and Android
- Fitbit– you don’t actually need a Fitbit tracker in order to use the Fitbit app. This app can record your steps. Available on iOS and Android
- GoogleFit– in built on Android phones but also available on iOS
- MapMyWalk– similar to its running counterpart, MapMyWalk tracks your walk and displays your route on a map. It records various stats including step count and distance. Available on iOS and Android
- StepsApp– any wheelchair users can use this app if you have an Apple watch. Available on iOS and Android
Do I need to show evidence of my steps?
No, we don’t require you to submit any evidence of your steps. This is done on a trust basis. Please submit your steps daily via the Leeds Varsity Steps Challenge Submission Form which will be at the top of this page.
Some of my team members haven’t joined. Do we get a step count allocation each day to make up for this? And how is this calculated?
Don’t worry if all of your team members haven’t joined. For anybody in your team that doesn’t end up participating, we will take an average step score from the rest of the team members. This will be added to your team total once the challenge has finished.
What will happen over the bank holiday weekend?
The Leeds Varsity Steps Challenge takes place over the bank holiday weekend so we encourage you to get out and about. Please submit your weekend steps by Tuesday 2 May at 5pm (GMT) to make it easier for them to be counted towards your total. No steps taken after the challenge finishes at 23:59 your local time on Wednesday 3 May 2023 will count.
When will the winners be announced?
Winners will be announced after the photo competition results are in Friday 5 May 2023.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please send us an email. We’d love to hear from you!
The Leeds Varsity Step Challenge is organised by the Physical Activity and Wellbeing and Get Out, Get Active Team at the University of Leeds.
