Stair Challenge: The Elevator Stays Put Today
Everyday movement that can be measured and documented: The stair challenge is an affordable, effective component in the WHP area of physical activity.
Why is small everyday movement underestimated?
Health rarely develops in the gym, but rather in the many small movements in between. Every staircase is a mini-workout for your heart and legs that you don't have to schedule separately. The trick isn't motivation, but reminder: as long as the elevator is the convenient standard, it wins. A friendly reminder at the right moment tips the decision.
How does a habit become a topic of conversation?
As soon as "I take the stairs" becomes a joint four-week competition, something happens: people count floors, joke in the hallway, and cheer each other on. The initiative moves beyond good intentions and becomes part of the culture. That's exactly the point where behavior solidifies.
Who benefits most from this?
The stair challenge is especially suitable for companies with tight budgets and for workforces that are skeptical of traditional sports offerings. It doesn't require anyone to sweat or wear sports clothing and still reaches everyone. The most common mistake: making it too big. Four weeks, a sign, a small recognition at the end — that's all it takes. A good addition is the Best Practice step counter challenge.
How do you put the measure in place?
- 1Design a poster: "Take the Stairs – Challenge!"
- 2Hang the counting board in the stairwell
- 3Announce via email + set a goal (e.g. 10,000 floors as a team)
- 4Update the tally weekly
- 5Celebrate the result after 4 weeks
What do you need for it?
- Effort
- under 30 min
- Cost
- Free
- Setup
- 30 min
- ✓ Free
- ✓ High visibility in the building
- ✓ Gamification effect
- ✓ Low-threshold for everyone
Tax and health insurance: what is possible
Employer health benefits can be tax-free under § 3 no. 34 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG) up to €600 per employee per year — if they are provided in addition to the salary already owed and are either certified (§ 20 SGB V) or implemented within the company's health promotion process. Gym memberships and corporate fitness are not covered. For ZPP-certified courses (e.g. from Upfit), German statutory health insurers can reimburse all or part of the course fee to their insured members — then only the amount exceeding that reimbursement is tax-free. Projects within the company can be funded under § 20b SGB V, with no entitlement. Only your tax adviser can confirm the tax exemption.
How it works in EasyWHP
This Best Practice in EasyWHP: adopt it, adapt it, measure the effect
Once adopted, the measure is ready in EasyWHP — with instructions, an invitation and surveys before and after. You adapt what fits your company and see at the end what it achieved.
Screenshots with demo data, no real people.
Start this measure now
Register for free — and the measure is ready to go in your cockpit: invitation, feedback survey and appointment are already set up. First cycle, first numbers for the boss.
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Contributes to
Measure the impact with
Action field
Physical Activity →A fitting occasion
- International Day of Movement (May 10): Company Movement Day
Related Best Practices
Not sure where to start? Self-check in approx. 7 minutes →