How Racery’s inclusive conversions of 80+ activities maximize employee participation

In today’s diverse and global workplace, inclusivity in wellness initiatives is not just nice-to-have—it’s a must. Because employees have different fitness levels, backgrounds, and preferences, corporate wellness programs must cater to and celebrate a spectrum of abilities. 

While other virtual race platforms focus exclusively on runners and walkers, Racery’s inclusive activity conversions maximize participation and make everyone feel welcome. 

What are inclusive activity conversions?

Racery’s activity conversion feature allows participants to log a variety of physical activities, not just running or walking, in a virtual race. With over 80 activities convertible into route miles—like yoga, swimming, cycling, weightlifting, gardening, and even Duolingo—employees can participate in ways that fit their fitness routines and lifestyles. And HR teams can easily add additional activities for use by their employees.

To maximize fairness, Racery uses an effort-based system to convert activities into equivalent “miles” for the virtual race. For instance:

  • An hour of swimming might equal 4 miles
  • A 30-minute yoga session could translate to 1 mile on the route
  • A 15-mile bike ride might add up to 3 miles in the race
  • Ten minutes of Duolingo becomes .2 route miles

This system levels the playing field, allowing everyone to contribute meaningfully to their team and compete on individual leaderboards, no matter their preferred activity. (See a full list of Racery’s inclusive activity conversions.)

Why inclusive activity conversions matter for HR

1. Broader participation When traditional wellness challenges focus solely on running or walking, they unintentionally exclude employees who may have physical limitations or different fitness interests. By recognizing a wide range of activities, Racery’s platform ensures that every employee can participate. This inclusivity boosts participation rates and fosters a sense of belonging across teams.

2. Motivation for all fitness levels Not everyone is a seasoned runner or cyclist, running marathons or cycling centuries. Some employees may prefer low-impact activities like yoga or walking, while others might love weight lifting. Racery’s conversions allow employees to feel their efforts are valued equally, creating a motivating environment for all fitness levels.

3. Team building through diverse contributions Virtual races aren’t just about individual performance—they’re about teams coming together to collaborate. By enabling employees to log a variety of activities, Racery ensures that everyone can contribute to their team’s progress, whether by logging miles from a weekend hike or an hour of Pilates.

4. Encourages holistic wellness Wellness is more than cardio. By supporting diverse activities, Racery promotes a well-rounded approach to health. Activities like meditation, Duolingo, and yoga encourage mental well-being, while strength training supports long-term physical health. HR departments can use Racery to highlight the importance of balancing physical and mental wellness.

5. Flexibility for remote and hybrid teams In a hybrid work environment, not all employees have access to the same facilities or time for fitness. Racery’s activity conversions empower employees to participate on their terms, using whatever resources they have available—whether it’s a local pool, a home gym, or a walk in their neighborhood.

6. Changing with the times We’ve recently added popular activities like bouncing and Duolingo to our list of optional activity conversions.

Real-world example

Imagine an HR department hosting a month-long virtual race to “run” a famous route, such as the Pacific Coast Highway. With Racery’s activity conversions:

  • An employee who loves cycling can contribute their weekend 20-mile ride
  • A yoga enthusiast can log their morning flow sessions
  • A new parent can add miles from stroller walks with their baby

As employees see their contributions reflected by avatar movement on the virtual map, they feel included and recognized, regardless of how they stay active. The company benefits from improved morale, better teamwork, and a stronger wellness culture.

The HR advantage: easy tracking and reporting

For HR departments, tracking and managing a wellness program can feel daunting, but Racery simplifies the process. The platform:

  • Automatically converts activities into miles.
  • Tracks individual and team progress in real-time.
  • Provides analytics on participation rates, popular activities, and overall engagement.

These insights help HR teams refine their wellness initiatives, ensuring they align with employees’ needs and preferences.

Activity conversions are a game-changer

Racery’s inclusive activity conversions are more than just a feature—they are (literally) a game-changer for corporate wellness. By embracing diversity in fitness, HR departments can foster a culture where every employee feels empowered to participate, contribute, and thrive. Whether your team is logging miles through swimming, gardening, or running, Racery makes it easy to design a virtual race that’s as inclusive as a company’s values.

Ready to build a wellness program that works for everyone? Create an inclusive corporate virtual race today or try a free virtual race test! Or ask our experts to customize a virtual race that fits your company’s unique needs.