🎯 JANUARY 2026New Year Launch Guide

Launch Your January Step Challenge in 5 Minutes

Capture New Year motivation before it fades. Self-service setup, no demos needed—be ready for Jan 6 kickoff.

Set Up Now (Free)See 30-Day Template
No demo requiredSetup during holidaysLaunch Jan 6
37%
reduction in January absenteeism
80%+
typical participation rate
4.8/5
employee satisfaction
3:1
ROI in first quarter

Why January is the Best Time to Launch

New Year psychology + fresh budgets + resolution energy = your highest-participation challenge of the year

New Year Momentum

67% of employees set health resolutions in January—channel that energy into workplace wellness

Beat the Post-Holiday Slump

Combat low motivation after December holidays with structured, engaging activity

Q1 Goal Alignment

Connect wellness to company OKRs and fresh-start mindset for maximum buy-in

20-40% Participation Lift

January launches see significantly higher engagement than mid-year programs

Your January Launch Timeline

Set up during the quiet holiday week, launch when everyone's motivated

Dec 26-31

Setup Week

  • Sign up for WeMove (5 min)
  • Invite team captains
  • Choose challenge format
  • Draft announcement email
Jan 1-3

Soft Launch

  • Send invite links to all employees
  • Open registration
  • Team formation begins
  • Test sync with devices
Jan 6

Challenge Kickoff

  • Official start (first Monday)
  • Daily Slack updates begin
  • Leaderboards go live
  • Week 1 goals activate
Jan 6-31

4-Week Sprint

  • Weekly milestones
  • Mid-challenge bonus event
  • Recognition moments
  • Final push week

January ROI: The Numbers

Why HR budgets prioritize Q1 wellness launches

37%
Lower January absenteeism with active challenges
$3.27
Saved for every $1 invested in wellness
85%
Of employees weigh wellbeing equal to salary

FAQs: January Step Challenge Launch

How to launch a 30-day company step challenge in January?

1) Sign up for WeMove (5 minutes, self-service). 2) Send invite links Dec 26-31 while offices are quiet. 3) Start challenge Jan 6 (first Monday). 4) Run for 30 days with weekly milestones. The key is pre-holiday setup so you're ready when New Year motivation peaks.

What's the best step challenge platform for New Year employee motivation?

Look for: self-service setup (no waiting for demos in December), gamification (leaderboards, badges, virtual journeys), all-device compatibility, and Slack/Teams integration. WeMove checks all boxes and launches in 5 minutes—perfect for the holiday crunch.

Why do January step challenges get higher participation?

New Year resolution mindset + fresh-start psychology + post-holiday energy boost. 67% of employees set health goals in January. A structured challenge channels that motivation before it fades (typically by mid-February).

How do we measure ROI on a January step challenge?

Track: participation rate (target 70%+), January absenteeism vs prior year, engagement survey scores, healthcare claims (quarterly). Companies using WeMove see 37% lower January absenteeism and 3:1 ROI in Q1.

Can we set up during the holiday break?

Yes! WeMove is fully self-service. Many HR teams set up Dec 26-30 when offices are quiet, then launch Jan 6. No demos or sales calls needed—perfect for the holiday window.

More January Resources

30-Day Challenge Template

Ready-to-use January format

Gamification Guide

Boost engagement with rewards

Mental Health + Movement

Combat post-holiday slump

Ready for January 6?

Set up during the holidays. Launch when motivation peaks. No demo required.

Start Free Setup

5-minute setup • All devices • Cancel anytime