Issue No. 351 of Fitt Insider led with invisible diagnostics, but its most actionable fitness story was the run club surge. Per Strava, run club creation is at record highs — up 4x year over year in the U.S. — with running crews now the single largest share of Strava groups, per the issue.
The reason people join isn't pace. It's connection. That insight — social ties drive fitness behavior — is the foundation Cadoo is built on.
People train for each other
The issue lays out why social fitness is compounding:
- Most of Gen Z joins run clubs for social connection, and those who train together perform better and report less stress than solo exercisers, per data the issue cites.
- Fitt Insider expects the social-fitness ethos to spread beyond running into outdoor clubs, rec leagues, and HYROX challenges.
- Operators are chasing the same energy: Gold's Gym inked a 60-unit deal to enter Brazil, while On targeted strength and hybrid athletes, per the issue.
These are industry references, not Cadoo partners. But they all point the same way: the future of fitness is social.
Add stakes to the social habit
Run clubs prove people show up for each other. Cadoo turns that impulse into a durable habit by adding stakes. Members bet money with friends on reaching fitness goals, so the commitment is social and concrete — a live reason to lace up even on the days motivation dips. Recurring challenges keep the group active between meetups, filling the gap where consistency usually breaks.
For running and step-based goals, distance and steps come from Apple Health or Google Health Connect, while the camera counts reps for supported strength movements. Each type of activity is measured by the source built for it, giving brands trustworthy engagement data.
From crew to community your brand owns
A run crew's energy fades if it lives only on the calendar. Cadoo keeps a community engaged all week and makes it visible: every finished challenge can produce a skinned, shareable video, so members broadcast your brand to their networks. That is social fitness compounding into marketing reach and retention at the same time.
On our roadmap — not live yet — winnings could convert into credit or perks at your brand, tying wins back to revenue. See how it works at cadoo.games/brands or reach the team at Tim@cadoo.io.
Frequently asked questions
Why are run clubs booming, and what does that mean for brands?
This issue shows run club creation at record highs because people join for connection, not pace. Brands that lean into social accountability — friends training together with something on the line — tap the same driver, which Cadoo turns into a year-round habit.
How does Cadoo track running and step goals?
Steps and distance come from Apple Health or Google Health Connect, and the camera counts reps for supported strength movements. Each activity is measured by the source built to track it, so brands get dependable engagement data.
How does Cadoo keep a run crew engaged between meetups?
Members bet money with friends on reaching fitness goals through recurring challenges, so there's a live, social reason to stay active on off days. That sustained accountability turns an occasional crew into a consistent community.
How does social fitness become marketing for my brand?
Every completed challenge can generate a skinned, shareable video, so members broadcast your brand to their networks as they train. Social fitness compounds into reach and retention at once.
Can members redeem Cadoo winnings at my brand?
Redeeming winnings for credit or perks at a partner brand is on our roadmap and not live yet. Today, Cadoo delivers social engagement, retention, and shareable branded content your members create.
