Gamification has been around for a long ol' time. Garmin have this year cottoned onto the fact that rewarding people, with virtual badges and arbitrary numbers, gives their customers an additional sense of achievement and progress over their activities.
And it works. It's the equivalent of patting a dog on the head. "Who's a good boy for doing 20 thousand steps today? You are. Yes you are".
And I lap it up.
My goal was to reach Level 4. I don't know how many levels there are and I don't know how I stand against the vast masses of people that using Garmin to track their activities, but against my own (whopping) 7 connections, I'm nearly 90 points ahead from the second person (I'm not boasting, but this leads to a point).
The genius of gamification is that it asks you to do things you wouldn't normally do. And that might mean taking a few more steps each day to reach a particular target, or do enough steps each day to reach a new goal. Or try a new sport. Or go further in a sport than you have before. There are also some badges that encourage you to compete with others.
It took me a little over 3 months to reach my level 4 goal from April to mid July. And it felt great. But now I'm stuck. I've collected most of the badges that I can easily gather, and I have sights on collecting a few more later this year and next, but there are no easily repeatable badges that will help nudge me on into the Level 5.
And this is where I'm starting to become disillusioned. I've done what I can do within reasonable expectation. I've taken to cycling more to get a few more badges, been taking more steps each day and I've nailed a few more marathons to up the points, but as the above image, I now need 20 marathons, or other 8 point repeatable activities, to hit the next level.
And it works. It's the equivalent of patting a dog on the head. "Who's a good boy for doing 20 thousand steps today? You are. Yes you are".
And I lap it up.
My goal was to reach Level 4. I don't know how many levels there are and I don't know how I stand against the vast masses of people that using Garmin to track their activities, but against my own (whopping) 7 connections, I'm nearly 90 points ahead from the second person (I'm not boasting, but this leads to a point).
The genius of gamification is that it asks you to do things you wouldn't normally do. And that might mean taking a few more steps each day to reach a particular target, or do enough steps each day to reach a new goal. Or try a new sport. Or go further in a sport than you have before. There are also some badges that encourage you to compete with others.
It would take 40 marathons (8 points each) to reach level 5 |
And this is where I'm starting to become disillusioned. I've done what I can do within reasonable expectation. I've taken to cycling more to get a few more badges, been taking more steps each day and I've nailed a few more marathons to up the points, but as the above image, I now need 20 marathons, or other 8 point repeatable activities, to hit the next level.
What Garmin could do to keep my interest
- More badges
- More repeatable badges
- Repeating the same badge, 3 marathon badge, 10 marathon badge etc.
- Prestige, where my level gets wiped and I start all over again (but collect a prestigious badge)
- Connect me with other people who are of a same level for competitions and challenges (it's so hard to make connections in Garmin. Strava is infinitely easier in this respect)
Overall, it was a lot of fun to attain the level 4 status. It means nothing to anyone else, but I enjoyed it and it was a nice free perk. But for Garmin to keep my attention, they need to add more attainable steps (levels) to keep me engaged.
Here are the badges that helped me earn level 4
Badges that earned me Garmin level 4 |
hello there! could you please tell how to earn badges shoot for the stars and goal. I really can't find where i can set the target
ReplyDeleteShoot for the Stars Create a goal
DeleteGoal you need to achieve said goal
Hey Alex, head here, create a goal and then achieve it: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/goals
ReplyDeleteI set myself a goal to run 200k in a month, and did, to get the badge.
Hope that helps :)
Hi Sean, I have been playing Garmen’s game as well lately. I am three points away from level four. I have noticed now that they make weekend and monthly goals to attain too, so you can get extra points that way. For example: 80 km a month run Challenge, 300,000 steps a month, 16 hours walking in a month, 16 hours biking etc. They seem to switch up badge challenge monthly that I have noticed since about June. They seem to be all attainable challenges that keep you hopping for more points. I’m loving it!
DeleteHi Sean, I have been playing Garmen’s game as well lately. I am three points away from level four. I have noticed now that they make weekend and monthly goals to attain too, so you can get extra points that way. For example: 80 km a month run Challenge, 300,000 steps a month, 16 hours walking in a month, 16 hours biking etc. They seem to switch up badge challenge monthly that I have noticed since about June. They seem to be all attainable challenges that keep you hopping for more points. I’m loving it!
DeleteHi Sean - great writeup. Can you explain to me how you completed the "Trailblazer" badge? This requires you to create a segment...I can't figure out how to do this! Any tips on where to go/click to create a segment?
ReplyDeleteI solved this problem for myself - in order to create segments, you must first enabled them under user privacy settings. Once you have flipped this switch to "green", you can go to any activity and scroll to the bottom - a new tab named "segments" shows up and you can "create segments" within that tab.
DeleteThanks Drew! Glad you got it sorted :)
DeleteGreat post! I reached level 4 some time ago and am still 80 points away from level 5. I got all badges which are possible for me. I am already 68 years old and cannot run 10 more marathons or cycle 10 times 100 miles. What I really miss are at least a few mountaineering badges.I am from Munich, close to the Alps, do a lot of mountaineering but cannot use this for any badges.
ReplyDeleteThanks Hermann! For a sports technology company, that generally uses mountains in their marketing campaigns, it does indeed seem odd that they don't include some badges for mountaineering. Elevation increase or decrease, start or finish at elevation, start in a mountain range etc. All simple, and all also requiring a good watch of theirs.
DeleteI would say that using challenges is a way to get points slowly over time, but you need engaged friends who also want badges, challenges and who have a Garmin watch as well.
If you ever fancy a challenge, do let me know - it's an easy 2 points :)
Hi Hermann, same as for me (60 years old and 8 points away from level 4). Living near Tölz. Need more badges for mountaining and also a few new ones for running.
DeleteWell, I learned my lessons. Challenges are the only way. In the meantime I have participated in a lot of challenges, with one person for a day, or with more than 600 persons for a month. The 600 people challenge showed some limitations (bugs) of the system, maybe Garmin did not expect challenges of this size. Anyway, it is great fun.
DeleteI also would love mountaineering badges.
DeleteI have a few questions Sean:
ReplyDelete1) I have won a few Garmin generated challenges but none of the competitors are my connections. Is this why I am not getting the challenge champ badges?
2) How do I get the challenge champ badges? I mean, I have 2 connections but they are never inside garmin generated challenges. And I read that badges will not be awarded to self-created challenges.
3) For challenges that says "run 50km" or any other "run" challenges. Does running using the "treadmill" or "walk" activity count? Or must I use the "run" activity?
Hey Yulius,
ReplyDeleteYup, all challenges need to be connections and with other people in order to get the points. I find it very hard to find others who want to do challenges, and who also are in Garmin.
Maybe there might be some challenge based groups out there specifically designed to help get more points?
No, as long as you have a way to record that you've run 50k - i.e. have the footpod accessory and it'll show you've run 50k. I've not tried to test the system as to whether you can run without GPS and then update the distance after the run. I'd imagine Garmin would block manually modifying distance and unlocking points. But stranger things have happened.
If you ever want someone to challenge, who may or may not give you much of a fight, then find me 'theuncharmed' (I need to change that name) and connect.
Cheers
Sean
I lose one of my badge, for 100 miles running, do you no why? No, I do not deleted that activity
ReplyDeleteHey Jánosi, have you modified the activity? Garmin say that any manually uploaded activities won't trigger a badger, and I can only imagine if you edited it before the original state that it might treat that as a change and remove the badge.
DeleteHaving said that, I've also 'lost' badges too, but found they were back again within a few weeks.
I am now 9 points away from level 5 and I got my mind set on getting there. I have several 160+ km rides planned to do it. For running I probably won't get past the 21 km mark but you can repeat some of the badget. I have no idea what happens in the realm after obtaining level 5
ReplyDeleteExciting! Good luck with your rides. Do come back and let us know what happens and how many points you need to get to 6.
DeleteConnect with me on Garmin and we can get some challenges going - easy 2 points; if you win ;-)
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/profile/theuncharmed
I have trouble earning share your Halloween badge. I have shared the halloween badge to my facebook and instagram account but still i haven't earned the share your halloween badge. Can anyone help? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI didn't collect the badge, but if you share the badge through the Garmin mobile app it will unlock the second sharing badge. Though not sure if it will still work now.
DeleteI shared the Halloween badge to ny FB, IG, Strava and WA accounts on the oct 31. None of the count. I still did not collect the share halloween badge
DeleteHi,
Deletetwo things:
I got both the Halloween and the Halloween Sharing badge.
also: level 5 is as high as they go. there is no level 6 yet
Good to know, thank you!
DeleteI really likes the system as it is now, it keeps me using Garmin equipment forever. Unfortunately something happened which I really don't like: Garmin is currently introducing the Legacy Hero Series watches, quite overpriced versions of the Vivoactive 4. And to promote these watches,they offer many badges which you can only get if you own one of these watches, by doing very low level activities. This is - sorry if I say this - a kind of doping, buying badges instead of earning them by sport.
ReplyDeleteIt's akin to the 'loot box gambling', where you can progress further and faster if you pay your way. It's a little disappointing that Garmin have gone this way. If I'd be on the product team I'd have recommended you'd get a unique badge for a given watch, but you could still collect a generic badge for the same activity.
DeleteHope they grow this capability (badges) and offer more depth and breadth.
I quite enjoyed the badges until they did this. Unless I take up diving, the only way to increase is via repeatable badges, which in practice means marathons or 100 mile rides. All the 'with your ... watch' options are just buying levels as they are repeatable, but much easier. It also puzzles me why the 8 repeatables are mostly 8 point rewards. The ultra's are the same value as a regular marathon.
DeleteI hear you @TheSkipperAdrift - I feel at this point it's either farm 2pt challenges, buy a few different watches at great expense, or wait until the opportune time to ride 100 miles or run marathons or more. I've become bored at collecting points and at this point switched off.
DeleteHow to earn multi sport batch in garmin
ReplyDeleteI've not earned it myself, but I believe you need a device that support multi-sports (i.e. duathlon or triathlons).
DeleteA typical 'brick' session, where you could run first, then come into a transition, and then head out onto the second sport, such as cycling. Multi-sport watches can then be set to automatically or manually switch between the sports.
When you have the device, complete a two-sport brick session and save it to Garmin, you should get your badge.
Check their website to see what devices offer multi-sport.
I would love if they would entroduce badges for accumulated goals. For example when you reach your first 1000km/miles running. Then the next badge when you reach 10.000km/miles etc. The same for cycling kilometres. And badges for accumulated elevation gain in cycling and in hiking.
ReplyDeleteHey Sean! Great write up. Added you on Garmin since I noticed you have the Zombie badge. Currently trying to reach level 5 and would love to challenge you! Thanks
ReplyDeleteHey Jill, saw it come and accepted. More than happy to be challenged - generally not all that active, so you’ll get a win and the virus badge 😊👍🏻
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI’m on level 4 and would love to earn the Zombie badge too!
Could I jump on the bandwagon and setup a challenge as well please? Thanks 😀
Course you can :) See: https://simplyseanie.blogspot.com/2020/08/how-to-earn-garmin-zombie-badge-in-3.html
DeleteThat's awesome you were able to get to L4 so quickly. Any here that wanna connect on Garmin, I'm listed as Knight Train. It is much different connecting w folks on Connect than Strava but I prefer Connect.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know how to get the members only badge?
ReplyDeleteHI Reba, I earned that by completing a group challenge, just completing, dont have to win. Feel free to connect with me if you need help on Connect (look for Knight train). I do all the Garmin weekly challenges and am in a few member led challenges so happy to help you get that badge.
DeleteThank you going to connect with you now!
DeleteHey Timothy I could not find you on garmin connect. Can you try to connect with me look for Rebecca. Thank you.
DeleteHi Rebecca, on Connect I'm listed as Knight train (Roseville, CA). What should I use for you? Last name & location
DeleteRebecca F Herndon VA
DeleteCan I join you all to earn the members only badge also? I was under the impression I needed to create a group, but also don’t have enough active connections.
DeleteI was able to find Rebecca, and sent a request to connect. However, I cannot locate Knight train. :(
DeleteHi there, I am also seeking the members only badge. Trying to connect with Rebecca and Knight Train on Connect. Ps does anyone have Zombie badge? -Wendelien
DeleteHey Wendelien, saw your connection come in and accepted :) For others looking for how to get the Zombie badge easily, see this post: https://simplyseanie.blogspot.com/2020/08/how-to-earn-garmin-zombie-badge-in-3.html (connect with me, challenge me, and get the badge).
DeleteGreat write up. I’m currently enjoying challenging myself to reach level 4 and can attain it very soon. However I noticed there wouldn’t be much more for me to do realistically once I’ve gotten the standard badges on my attainable list. I love your suggestions and hope they make changes to accommodate us soon! Anyone know what challenges are available for November?
ReplyDeleteHi sfessler17 I just connected with you on Garmin. I’ll send you a challenge invite.
ReplyDeleteHi All, for anyone that wants to connect w me, use this link, https://connect.garmin.com/modern/profile/KnightRlder
ReplyDeleteMy "name" on there is Knight train (Tim Knight) but I forgot I had to use KnightRlder when i signed up
I just sent my request to connect with you Tim!
ReplyDeleteGot it, you're right behind me in points and already snagged the Halloween badges. Nice!
DeleteThank you!
DeleteHi All Garmin Connect Members, you all are invited to join my training challenge group. Invite your Garmin friends as well so we can have a diverse group and build some level based challenges. The name is i(WILL) Training Challenge Group. Plan is to focus heavily on challenges of all sorts (within the confines of Connect but as many different kinds as we can) and all member levels are welcome! Make sure to connect with me of course. I'll be trying to work with Garmin to expand the diversity of the challenges as well to include activities that aren't currently in the Garmin Challenge ecosystem but are on our watches/devices. https://connect.garmin.com/modern/group/519215
ReplyDeleteI just joined!
ReplyDeleteOssum, thanks! Lets have some fun with challenges. Still learning how the groups work but as we get more folks, I hope Connect allows more stuff to be done. Most of the groups Im in have nothing happening, no challenges and no encouragement.
DeleteJoined as well, how long until my steps sync in the group?
ReplyDeleteI joined as well.
ReplyDeleteHello
ReplyDeleteI ve sent you request, and i ll challange you to get zombie badge! Can you also explain how to get members only badge? I ve aproached to a few groups but have no challenges and no members badge! Thanks in advance
Hi Ivo, just accepted a few new requests so hope you're one of them :) For the Members badge, you need to create or join a group, and then challenge the group. Complete the challenge and you'll get the badge.
DeleteJust created a group - join this one (Zombie Badge): https://connect.garmin.com/modern/group/3719965/
DeleteHaha thanks i will
DeleteHello Reba and Tim i ll try to reach a member only badge and sent you request for connection! Can i join the group?
ReplyDelete