Walking is one of the simplest ways to bring Movember to life at work. It needs no equipment, no fitness level and no special venue, and everyone can join in, whether in the office or working from home. Here is why walking suits Movember so well, followed by six walking challenge ideas you can adapt to your organisation.
Contents
What is the Movember challenge, and why walking suits it
Movember is an awareness movement for men's health. It covers three issues: prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men's mental health. The movement offers several ways to take part: growing a moustache, moving your body or hosting an event. Source: Movember, "About us". Movember's dates and origin are covered in a dedicated article.
At work, walking has three strengths. First, it is inclusive: everyone goes at their own pace, even the least sporty colleagues. Second, it is social: people walk in pairs or teams and chat along the way. Third, it puts people at ease: side by side, it is often easier to bring up something personal, such as health.
Walking is just one example. The format and activities of your Movember are decided with you, around your organisation.
6 walking challenge ideas for Movember
1. The shared goal
Give the whole company a common goal for November, for example a symbolic distance linked to a place that means something to your teams. Everyone contributes at their own level. This kind of challenge highlights taking part rather than performance, which makes it a good choice for a first edition.
2. Mixed teams
Build teams that mix departments, roles or sites. The most active people pull the others along, and colleagues who rarely cross paths get to know each other. Keep teams balanced so each one stays in the race until the end of the month.
3. The lunchtime meet-up
Set a regular lunchtime slot and a meeting point everyone knows. Colleagues who don't want a month-long challenge can simply turn up when they like. This meet-up makes Movember part of everyday working life with almost no organisation.
4. Site against site
In a company spread across several locations, each site can fly its own colours for the month. Friendly rivalry gets news flowing between sites and gives distant teams a reason to connect.
5. Walk and talk with occupational health
Offer a short walk followed by a few minutes with your occupational health team on men's health. The informal setting helps people ask questions they wouldn't raise in a meeting.
6. The charity challenge
The challenge can come with a donation to the charity of your choice, to be agreed with us when we build your challenge. This commitment adds another dimension to the collective effort.
Launch your walking challenge in 4 steps
Start by choosing the format: shared goal, teams or sites. Then announce the challenge a few weeks before 1 November, with a simple explanation of how to take part. Keep the month going with short content on men's health, for example a new article and quiz each week. End with a wrap-up at the end of November to share the results and thank everyone who took part.
At United Heroes, we help you build your challenge in the app, tailored to your organisation. For example, a new article and quiz each week help your teams learn more about men's health. To compare options, see our article on choosing a step challenge app for work.
At a glance: which challenge for which setting?
| Challenge | Who it suits | Main strength |
|---|---|---|
| Shared goal | The whole company | Rewards taking part |
| Mixed teams | Departments, roles, sites | Builds new connections |
| Lunchtime meet-up | On-site employees | Simple and regular |
| Site against site | Companies with several locations | Brings distant teams closer |
| Walk and talk | Everyone, with occupational health | Makes it easier to ask about prevention |
| Charity challenge | Purpose-driven companies | Gives the effort meaning |
FAQ
Do you need to be sporty to take part in a Movember walking challenge?
No. Walking suits the vast majority of employees, and a well-designed challenge lets everyone go at their own pace. What matters is taking part together.
Does a walking challenge work for remote teams?
Yes. Everyone walks wherever they are: at the office, travelling or at home. A challenge in an app brings everyone together, whatever their place of work.
Can we link a donation to the challenge?
Yes. The donation can go to the charity of your choice, to be agreed with us. There is also the Movember Business Club, which asks companies to commit to a fundraising target, but that is not required to run an internal initiative.
Is walking the only possible activity?
No. Walking is simply one of the easiest activities to offer everyone. The format of your Movember is built with you and can include other activities, depending on your teams and your goals.
Go further
To build your challenge, discover the Movember challenge at work: an app-based challenge in November, with a format we define together. For more ideas, read our 7 Movember actions for the workplace, and to link the two autumn awareness months, our article Pink October and Movember at work.
Product Marketing Manager at United Heroes