Earning up to $1,000 a year by walking every day with this app - here's what you need to know.

In 2019, an engineer named Yves Benchimol came up with an idea to encourage people to put away their phones and become more active.

Benchimol believes that one of the main issues for people like him and the younger generation is the time spent behind screens and being sedentary.

Why not create an app that motivates you to walk more by offering financial rewards?

Taking 2,000 steps daily can lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and early death by 10%, according to research. To achieve optimal health and longevity, aim for 10,000 steps per day.

The French company now has 20 million active users and has extended its reach beyond Europe to include the U.S., Canada, Japan and other regions.

Benchimol states that thanks to Apple Health and Google Fit, we can determine the average number of steps individuals took before downloading the app. Additionally, our goal is to raise this number.

"On average people walk 25% more, thanks to Weward."

Users earn hundreds of dollars a year on WeWard

Users of WeWard can earn digital points called "wards" by walking, even if their phone is in their pocket, as long as WeWard is connected to their fitness app. This enables users to enjoy a screen-free walk while still accumulating points. Wards can be exchanged for cash, gift cards, coupons, or donations to charities.

Benchimol explains that while it's common for people to earn a few hundred dollars annually, the amount can vary greatly depending on factors such as physical activity and the frequency of steps taken. Specifically, walking 10,000 steps every day will result in more earnings than walking the same amount of steps every two days.

The company has given out over $21 million in cash and charitable donations through the app.

"Benchimol reveals that top users can earn $1,000 annually by completing challenges and purchasing products through the app's partners. For instance, the company is collaborating with Nike. If you purchase Nike shoes through the app, you will receive rewards."

Feeding America has recently partnered with the company, which discovered that "some individuals are highly motivated by assisting others."

The app encourages friendly competition among users and fosters a community of walkers in the neighborhood by tracking their steps. To keep users engaged, the app offers treasure-hunt like challenges, similar to Pokemon Go.

Similar to a popular gaming app, WeWard motivates users to reach certain locations in order to gather cards that reward them with additional wards.

The app's functionality team ensures that cards are accessible and within five minutes or less of a user's location by positioning them less than 500 meters away, or approximately 1,640 feet, from their home.

"Cards are often placed in areas where people enjoy walking, such as museums, monuments, and parks. In New York, Central Park is a particularly beautiful location where you can find them."

The app aims to motivate individuals to increase their walking habits. For newcomers, this may involve walking a few times a week. Users are encouraged to walk daily or to exceed their typical distance to receive more rewards.

Earning more wards in the app involves either walking 5,000 steps daily or taking 100 steps between noon and 2 p.m.

Benchimol explains that the level of difficulty for each challenge can be adjusted based on the user's preferences.

"Our goal is to encourage as many people as possible to walk more."

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