Trek savers The apps turning your footsteps into freebies
The Guardian
|August 16, 2025
A walk to work could get you rewards such as cheaper coffee or Amazon discounts. Mabel Banfield-Nwachi tests her earning potential
Getting your steps in could do more than just lift your mood: walking is linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety, better cardiovascular health, and improved memory. The NHS says just 10 minutes of brisk walking a day is enough to make a difference.
And alongside health benefits, this exercise could also earn you rewards such as coffee and other small treats, thanks to a growing number of apps that turn your footsteps into freebies.
The government is looking at whether financial incentives could encourage people to increase the amount they walk and improve their diet. It is now reviewing the results of an official pilot scheme in Wolverhampton where people were given fitness trackers and earned rewards such as money off their supermarket shopping.
In the meantime we tested some apps that let you swap your steps for stuff.
Paace If you are looking for immediate, tangible rewards, Paace is the most straightforward of the bunch. It will not tell you exactly how many steps equal a point, but the points you earn can be exchanged for offers such as money off your coffee, sandwiches, or even a packet of smoked salmon at independent cafes and restaurants (mostly) in London.
The app has had more than 98,000 downloads and there are now more than 200 Paace partner vendors.
The app sets a daily target of 8,000 steps. It took me about a week to earn enough points to get my first reward - an iced latte for £1 and 90 points - a discount on the £3.70 the cafe normally charges. For this, I walked an average of 14,000 steps a day over that period (I was on a city break for part of it), which gave me just under 100 points.
To make a purchase, you add the item to your basket and swipe to "unlock" the reward. Be careful: you only have 15 minutes to use the voucher after you have unlocked it, so do not make the mistake I almost made and open it too early.
Cette histoire est tirée de l'édition August 16, 2025 de The Guardian.
Abonnez-vous à Magzter GOLD pour accéder à des milliers d'histoires premium sélectionnées et à plus de 9 000 magazines et journaux.
Déjà abonné ? Se connecter
PLUS D'HISTOIRES DE The Guardian
The Guardian
BP announces its first female CEO as Auchincloss quits after just two years
BP's board has appointed its first female chief executive in a move to revive the oil company's fortunes, after ousting Murray Auchincloss less than two years into his role.
2 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Government denies trying to break jailed pro-Palestine activists
The government is “not trying to break the bodies” of Palestine Action protesters on hunger strike, a minister has insisted, after a doctor said eight of the activists are dying.
1 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
England's hopes melt away in sun as Cummins glows with authority
Tourists teetering 158 behind after Australia captain leads fine bowling display by hosts
4 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
EU leaders race to reach deal on funding Ukraine
European Union leaders are racing to secure a funding deal for Ukraine that has been cast as a choice between “money today or blood tomorrow”, as Belgium comes under rising pressure over its opposition to a loan secured against Russia's frozen assets.
3 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
New Epstein photos show quotes from Lolita written on women
Images released before deadline for Department of Justice to publish files
3 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Rayner memoir fuels leadership speculation
Angela Rayner is writing a memoir about her rise to become deputy prime minister and her subsequent fall from grace, the Guardian can confirm, in a move that will be seen as an attempt to set the narrative before any leadership contest.
3 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Lyon’s wait for golden wickets is finally over
Going second on Australia’s all-time list, the off-spinner kept his cool on return as temperatures soared
3 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Bank of England cuts interest rates to 3.75% in boost for economy
The Bank of England has cut interest rates by a quarter point, giving a pre-Christmas boost to the struggling UK economy, but a split vote among its rate setters pointed to continued concerns about inflation.
3 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
China introduces condom tax as it tries to boost birthrate
China is set to impose a value-added tax (VAT) on condoms and other contraceptives for the first time in three decades, as the country tries to boost its birthrate and modernise tax laws.
2 mins
December 19, 2025
The Guardian
Kenyan vet Munyua bites back to neuter De Decker
The Kenyan debutant David Munyua created one of the biggest shocks in the history of the PDC World Darts Championship by beating the 18th seed, Mike De Decker.
1 mins
December 19, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size

