Get Paid to Exercise: 9 Apps That Turn Your Workouts Into Cash

12 Min Read

What if your morning run could earn you a $10 Starbucks card? Or that daily walk could put real money in your PayPal account? Welcome to 2025, where fitness apps are literally paying people to work out and the rewards are better than ever.

Why This Matters Now

Let’s be real: gym memberships are expensive, motivation is hard, and most of us could use extra cash. These apps solve all three problems at once. You’re getting healthier, staying accountable, AND earning money for something you should be doing anyway. That’s what we call a triple win.

The best part? You don’t need to be a marathon runner or gym rat. Most of these apps reward simple daily movement, walking to your car, taking the stairs, and even just tracking your sleep. If you’re already moving, you might as well get paid for it.

The Money-Making Apps You Need to Download Today

1. Evidation: The Set-It-and-Forget-It Winner

How it works: Sync your fitness tracker (Apple Watch, Fitbit, whatever you’ve got) and earn points automatically for steps, sleep, workouts, and even reading health articles. No daily check-ins, no games to join; it literally runs in the background.

The payout: 10,000 points = $10 cash via PayPal or donation to charity. Most users hit this every 3-4 months without changing their routine at all.

Expected earnings: $30-40/year passively, more if you answer their quick health surveys.

Best for: People who want zero-effort rewards and don’t want to think about it.

Action step: Download Evidation, connect your tracker, and let it run. That’s it.

2. StepBet: Turn $10 Into $15 by Just Walking

How it works: You bet money (usually $10-40) that you’ll hit personalized step goals for 6 weeks. The app analyzes YOUR normal activity and sets realistic targets. Hit your goals every week? You split the pot with other winners.

The payout: Most $10 games pay out $12-16 when you win. That’s a 20-50% return just for walking.

Expected earnings: $6-20/month if you stack multiple games (you can do 3 at once with membership).

The catch: You lose your bet if you miss your weekly goals. But that’s exactly why it works; nobody wants to lose $10!

Best for: Competitive people who need accountability and financial motivation.

Action step: Join one low-cost game first to test it out. Once you know you can win, stack multiple games simultaneously.

3. Sweatcoin: Free Money for Steps You’re Already Taking

How it works: Your phone’s GPS tracks outdoor steps and converts them to Sweatcoins (1,000 steps = 0.95 Sweatcoins). Redeem for products, discounts, or even donate to charity.

The payout: Rewards vary, anything from workout gear to electronics to gift cards. Some items require just a few hundred coins.

Expected earnings: Not direct cash, but tangible rewards worth $5-50 depending on how much you walk.

Best for: People who walk a lot outdoors and want free stuff without betting money.

Action step: Download, let it track your outdoor walks, and browse the marketplace for rewards you actually want.

4. WayBetter: Bet on Yourself (Beyond Just Steps)

How it works: Join paid challenges for different habits: drinking water, eating vegetables, meditation, running, and strength training. Complete the challenge, and split the pot with other winners.

The payout: $10 games typically return $12-16. One user reported a $25 game paying out $32.

Expected earnings: $1-3 profit per game, but you can run up to 10 games at once.

The catch: a $68.99 membership fee every 6 months, so you need to win consistently to profit.

Best for: People who want variety beyond step-counting and thrive on multiple accountability challenges.

Action step: Start with short 1-2 week games in habits you’re confident about (like daily walks).

5. Dick’s Sporting Goods ScoreCard: Free $10 for 100 Days of Movement

How it works: Link your fitness tracker and earn 3 points daily by doing ANY of these: 10,000 steps, 3 miles, or 30 minutes of activity. At 300 points, cash in for a $10 Dick’s gift card.

The payout: $10 every ~100 days, which is $30-36/year.

Expected earnings: $30/year minimum if you already shop at Dick’s for workout clothes or equipment.

Best for: Anyone who buys fitness gear or activewear and wants free money with zero entry cost.

Action step: Sign up for a free ScoreCard membership and link your tracker today.

6. HealthyWage: Bet Big, Win Bigger (If You Hit Your Weight Goal)

How it works: Set a weight loss goal, choose your timeline, and place a bet on yourself. Win up to $10,000 if you hit your target.

The payout: Depends entirely on your bet amount, goal, and timeline. The calculator shows potential winnings upfront.

Expected earnings: Highly variable; some win thousands, but you must hit your exact goal.

Worth noting: This focuses on weight loss, which isn’t sustainable or healthy for everyone. Proceed with caution and realistic expectations.

Best for: People with specific weight goals who respond well to financial pressure.

7. Paceline: The Rewards Got Worse, But It’s Still Free

How it works: Track 150 minutes of weekly activity to earn Pacepoints. Redeem for marketplace discounts or credits.

The reality check: This app used to offer Amazon gift cards but switched to a marketplace system. Most users find the rewards less valuable now.

Expected earnings: Minimal, maybe $5-10/year in marketplace credits you might not even want.

Best for: People who want habit-tracking features and streaks more than actual rewards.

Our take: Keep it for motivation, but don’t expect much money.

8. CashWalk: Simple Steps, Simple Rewards

How it works: Track daily steps, earn coins, and redeem for gift cards.

The payout: Gift cards to popular retailers once you accumulate enough coins.

Expected earnings: Slow accumulation; think $5-10 every few months.

Best for: People who want extremely simple, no-commitment step tracking.

Action step: Download and forget about it. Check back in 3 months for free gift cards.

9. Charity Miles: Feel Good, Not Rich

How it works: Every mile walked or run earns money for charities of your choice. Corporate sponsors fund the donations.

The payout: $0 but you’re making a real impact while exercising.

Best for: People motivated by purpose more than personal profit.

Action step: Pick your favorite charity and start moving for a cause.

Quick Wins Summary

Total Potential Earnings: $100-300/year combining passive apps and betting apps you win consistently

Time Investment: 5 minutes to set up each app, then automatic tracking

Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly; most just require daily walking

Best Strategy: Stack 3-4 apps at once (Evidation + StepBet + ScoreCard) to maximize earnings from the same steps

Maximize Your Earnings: Pro Tips

Stack Apps: Your Apple Watch can sync with multiple apps. One walk earns rewards across 3-4 platforms simultaneously.

Start Conservative: Join one StepBet or WayBetter game first. Once you prove you can win, scale up to multiple games.

Track Everything: Apps like Evidation reward sleep, meditation, and food logging, not just steps. Max out all earning opportunities.

Know Your Limits: Those step goals increase the more you play. Take breaks every few games so your targets reset to manageable levels.

Read the Fine Print: Betting apps require you to hit EVERY weekly goal. Miss one week? You lose everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this actually legit, or too good to be true?

A: 100% legit. These are real companies with real payouts. Millions of users have earned rewards. That said, you won’t get rich—think extra coffee money, not rent money.

Q: How much time does this take?

A: Setup takes 5-10 minutes per app. After that, most run automatically. Betting apps require checking your progress weekly, which takes 30 seconds.

Q: Do I need special equipment?

A: A smartphone is required. A fitness tracker (Apple Watch, Fitbit) helps but isn’t always necessary; many apps work with just your phone’s sensors.

Q: How quickly will I see results?

A: Evidation pays every 3-4 months. StepBet pays 1-2 weeks after each 6-week game ends. ScoreCard pays every 100 active days.

Q: Can I really make $300/year?

A: Yes, if you stack apps and win betting games consistently. Passive-only users make $50-80/year. Active game players can hit $200-300.

The Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?

Here’s the truth: you won’t quit your day job with these apps. But if you’re already walking, working out, or trying to stay active, why not earn $5-25/month for it?

The real value isn’t the cash; it’s the accountability. Apps like StepBet and WayBetter keep you moving when motivation fails because nobody wants to lose $10. That consistency is worth way more than the small payouts.

Try This 30-Day Challenge:

  • Download Evidation (free, passive)
  • Add ScoreCard (free, easy wins)
  • Join ONE StepBet game ($10-20)
  • Track your total earnings and see if it motivates you

Most people find these apps boost their daily movement by 20-30% just from not wanting to lose money or miss their goals. What if that gets you healthier AND puts $20 in your pocket? That’s a win.

Start Earning Today

Ready to turn your steps into rewards? Here’s your action plan:

  1. Right now: Download Evidation and ScoreCard (both free, both passive)
  2. This week: Try one StepBet or WayBetter game to test the betting model
  3. This month: Add Sweatcoin or CashWalk for bonus passive earnings
  4. Track results: See which apps motivate you most and pay the best

The average person walks 3,000-4,000 steps daily already. These apps can turn that into $100-300/year without changing your routine at all. Why leave free money on the table?

Download these apps now and start stacking rewards. Your future, fitter, slightly richer self will thank you.

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Abraham is the Editor-in-Chief of Newmoneyfast, overseeing editorial direction and contributing expert analysis on personal finance, investment strategy, and economic trends. With extensive experience in the financial sector, he is dedicated to delivering accurate, insightful, and actionable content that empowers readers to make informed financial decisions.
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