We all know that physical activity is good for us, but how often do we actually reach the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO): 2.5 hours per week? Between work, family, and daily life, it’s easy for movement to slip to the bottom of the list.

At Clinia, we decided to do something about it. That’s how the BeActive Club was born. Yes, we get paid to exercise and it works! Here’s how our BeActive Club helps us move, connect, and stay well together.

How It Works

The idea is simple:

• Every physical activity — from running to yoga to cycling — is tracked through Strava.

• Each hour logged earns a small financial incentive.

• Hitting the WHO’s recommended 2.5 hours per week unlocks a bonus.

• Each week, we share the leaderboard of the three most active employees.

• We donate to a local organization using the additional funds raised when employees exceed a capped amount per quarter. The recipient organization is chosen through an annual vote.

• The focus isn’t on competition but on encouragement and inclusivity: whether you’re an experienced marathoner, taking a walk at lunch, or practicing adaptive sports, every effort counts.

Why We Started It

We wanted to create more than a wellness perk. The BeActive Club was designed to meet several objectives:

• Promoting health: encouraging everyone to meet the minimum standard to truly make a difference.

• Building community: seeing colleagues cheer each other on in Strava, swapping training tips at the coffee machine, or even planning after-work runs together.

• Making movement part of culture: showing that taking care of yourself is not a distraction from work; it’s an investment in energy, focus, and wellbeing.

• Supporting local initiatives: staying connected outside the company while contributing to projects in Montreal that promote health, sports, education, or community support.

The Results So Far

Since launching the BeActive Club, we’ve seen notable achievements:

• Someone who once hated running lacing up to run up to four times a week.

• Several employees shifting their view of physical activity — from a chore to a pleasant time of movement and awareness.

• Ping-pong battles breaking out during happy hours at the office.

• The whole company trying out capoeira, pilates, yoga, rafting, and beach volleyball (and actually having fun!).

• More colleagues sharing their activities and celebrating milestones together.

• Informal team-building through walks, bike rides, and even after-hours fitness classes.

• A mindset shift: exercise is no longer “extra”, but part of how we live and work. Weekly recaps often push some to reorganize their schedule when they see they haven’t reached the recommended 2.5 hours or haven’t exercised at all.

• And of course, two colleagues logging an almost inhuman amount of cycling kilometers, competing so hard they now seem ready for the Tour de France.

Moving Forward

What we’ve learned with the BeActive Club is simple: when you make physical activity visible, social, and rewarding, it becomes part of daily life rather than an afterthought. The benefits go well beyond individual health since they strengthen connection, energy, and even collaboration at work. Looking ahead, we want the program to evolve in a way that makes it more inclusive and actively avoids ableism, so that everyone can take part in ways that fit their abilities.

If you’re thinking about new ways to invest in wellbeing, why not start with movement? The WHO recommendation of 2.5 hours per week is a clear, achievable benchmark. With a bit of creativity, any company can turn it into a collective challenge that keeps people healthier, more engaged, and more active.