Engaging Members to Compete in the Goji Games
Let’s talk strategy! How can you incentivize your members to compete in the Goji Games?
As a gym owner, you know that engagement is key. The Goji Games are an exciting opportunity for your members to compete for nonprofit funding—but since the prize money goes directly to your organization, your members might wonder, “What’s in it for me?”
Here are some creative ways to incentivize riders and make participation exciting:
1. Reward Individual Achievements
Consider offering your top athletes tangible rewards for their efforts. Ideas include:
Free memberships: Give winners a free yearlong membership or extend their current membership.
Gift cards or retail perks: Offer store credit, branded merchandise, or other items your gym provides.
Exclusive access: VIP access to classes, early registration for special programs, or reserved equipment time.
2. Celebrate Their Efforts
Recognition goes a long way. Celebrate your athletes with events and public acknowledgment:
Team dinners or parties: Host a fun celebration to recognize everyone who participated, complete with food, music, and awards.
Social shoutouts: Highlight your athletes on your gym’s social media channels, newsletter, or internal bulletin boards.
Leaderboards and trophies: Display results prominently in your facility to create healthy competition and visibility.
Guest of Honor: Invite them to any of your fundraising dinners, board meetings, or events. Give them special recognition and awards in front of the audience to recognize their efforts!
3. Show the Impact of Their Efforts
Connecting the competition to something meaningful can motivate participation:
Explain how the funds will be used: If the prize money is going toward areas members benefit from—like childcare upgrades, new classes, equipment, or facility enhancements—make it clear.
Member-driven projects: Allow athletes to vote on a program or initiative that the funds will support, giving them ownership over the impact.
4. Add Fun, Gamified Incentives
Engagement can also come through playful or creative rewards:
Mini-competitions within your gym: Offer smaller rewards for weekly top performers leading up to the Goji Games life competition.
Friendly rivalries: Encourage friendly competition between teams or classes, with small prizes for winning squads.
5. Engage the Community in the Live Competition
Make participation a shared experience:
Invite families or friends: Encourage members to form teams, making it social and fun.
Highlight stories: Share quotes, photos, or short interviews of your participants to build excitement and recognition.
Decorate the bike area to celebrate the sacred space they’ll be competing in!
Bottom Line:
With the right incentives, Goji Games participation can be fun, rewarding, and motivating—even when your members aren’t competing for the prize money themselves. By combining recognition, celebration, meaningful impact, and playful competition, your gym can maximize engagement, boost member satisfaction, and show your community that fitness can be exciting AND impactful.
