Fitocracy
{{short description|Fitness social network}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox website
| name = Fitocracy, Inc.
| logo = FitocracyLogo.png
| company_type = Private
| foundation = New York City, New York, US
| area_served = Worldwide
| location_city = New York City, New York
| location_country = United States
| key_people = *Dick Talens, co-founder
- Brian Wang, co-founder
| url = {{URL|https://www.fitocracy.com/}}
| registration = Required
| launch_date = {{start date and age|2011|02}}
| current_status = Inactive
| language = English
| num_users = 12,500,000{{cite web|last=Caruana|first=Anthony|title=MyFiziq Inks Fitocracy Deal As They Muscle in on Fitness Market|url=https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/10/myfiziq-inks-fitocracy-deal-as-they-muscle-in-on-fitness-market/|work=Lifehacker|date=25 October 2017 |accessdate=18 January 2019}}
| website_type = Social networking
}}
Fitocracy was an online game and social network that aims to use gamification to help users improve their fitness.{{cite news|last=Jeffries|first=Adrianne|title=The Fitocrats: How Two Nerds Turned an Addiction to Videogames into an Addiction to Fitness|url=http://www.betabeat.com/2011/09/16/the-body-hackers-behind-the-scenes-at-fitocracy-the-addictive-fitness-game-that-will-make-you-want-to-work-out/|accessdate=23 January 2012|newspaper=The New York Observer|date=16 September 2011}} It has received coverage from mainstream media sources.{{cite news|last=Wortham|first=Jenna|title=Some Instant Motivation for the Fitness Conscious|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/technology/personaltech/for-the-health-conscious-fitness-for-the-holidays.html?_r=1|accessdate=23 January 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=6 December 2011}}{{cite news|last=McGinn|first=Dave|title=Can a couple of reformed gamers make you addicted to exercise?|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/fitness/exercise/fitness-trends/can-a-couple-of-reformed-gamers-make-you-addicted-to-exercise/article2233900/|accessdate=23 January 2012|newspaper=The Globe And Mail|date=13 November 2011}}
History
Fitocracy was founded by Dick Talens and Brian Wang. Both were self-described computer nerds who had succeeded in improving their own fitness and decided that game mechanics could help others to do the same.
Fitocracy launched in February 2011, using an invite system to control new user signups. Invite codes were initially distributed through sites such as Reddit.{{cite web|last=Empson|first=Rip|title=Fitocracy Brings Games And Social To Your Workouts (Invites Within)|url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/06/28/fitocracy-brings-games-and-social-to-your-workouts-invites-within/|work=TechCrunch|date=28 June 2011 |accessdate=23 January 2012}}
In November 2011, the site introduced advertising, along with a paid option, known as Fitocracy Hero, which was ad-free and offered additional features.{{cite web|title=Introducing Fitocracy Hero| url=http://blog.fitocracy.com/post/12330516366/introducing-fitocracy-hero|work=Fitocracy Blog|accessdate=23 January 2012}} By then, Fitocracy claimed to have 120,000 users and a waiting list of a further 120,000.
In January 2012, Fitocracy began a partnership with Red Bull in which the site would be used to host the Red Bull Fitness Challenge.{{cite web|title=Red Bull Fitness Challenge| url=http://fitness.redbullusa.com/fitocracy.php|accessdate=23 January 2012}}
By the end of January 2012, Fitocracy claimed a user base of 230,000 registered members.{{cite web|title=Fitocracy Presentation at 500Startups|url=http://www.livestream.com/500startups/video?clipId=pla_0c2f2ec1-cfc4-4987-a109-4ad04e6e4aec|work=500 Startups — Fitocracy Presentation|accessdate=28 January 2012}}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
In March 2012, Fitocracy launched an app for iOS devices.{{cite web|title=Fitocracy App|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fitocracy/id509253726?mt=8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331215204/http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fitocracy/id509253726?mt=8|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 March 2012|work=iTunes Store|accessdate=2 July 2012|date=8 May 2012}}
In January 2013, Fitocracy launched an app for Android.
In March 2013, Fitocracy reached one million users{{cite web|last=Crook|first=Jordan|title=Fitocracy's 1M Users, Including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Are More Engaged Than Any Other Social Network Besides Facebook|date=26 March 2013 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/03/26/fitocracys-1m-users-including-arnold-schwarzenegger-are-more-engaged-than-any-other-social-network-besides-facebook/|publisher=TechCrunch|accessdate=26 March 2013}} and announced a collaboration with Arnold Schwarzenegger, which challenges users to exercise for 15 minutes per day.
In August 2014, Fitocracy was listed as one of Time{{'s}} Best Websites of 2014.{{cite magazine |last1=Aamoth |first1=Doug |last2=Jared Newman |first2=Jared Newman |name-list-style=amp |date=1 August 2014 |url=https://time.com/3054279/50-best-websites-2014/ |title=50 Best Websites 2014: Fitocracy |magazine=Time}}
Fitocracy was acquired in 2016 by an unnamed buyer.{{cite tweet |user=brianmwang |number=702536750451658752 |title=Life update! Fitocracy has been acquired and I joined @500Startups as a venture partner! |date=24 February 2016}}
In October 2017 it was announced that Fitocracy had reached 12.5 million active users.{{cite web|title=MyFiziq Inks Fitocracy Deal As They Muscle In On Fitness Market | url=https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/10/myfiziq-inks-fitocracy-deal-as-they-muscle-in-on-fitness-market/|work=Lifehacker Australia| date=25 October 2017|accessdate=26 November 2020}}
As of August 2024, Fitocracy's website was offline.
Game
Fitocracy users log their exercise activity by selecting from a collection of activities such as weight lifting or running and entering details such as weight lifted or distance run. Points are awarded based on the estimated fitness benefit of each activity. Users must reach points thresholds in order to level up.
= Quests and achievements =
The site presents users with quests to perform for additional points, typically consisting of a set of related activities. Particularly significant fitness milestones are recognized with achievement badges.
= Social networking =
In addition to the game, Fitocracy also provides a social network which enables users to follow other users, view and comment on their workouts and join groups for specific interests.
Reception
Fitocracy was initially covered by technology and gaming focused media, such as TechCrunch, Slate,{{cite journal|last=Calderone|first=Emily|title=Train Like a Gamer|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/video/slate_v/2011/10/fitocracy_reviewed_an_app_that_helps_you_get_in_shape_video_.html|journal=Slate|date=6 October 2011 |accessdate=23 January 2012}} Lifehacker,{{cite web|last=Henry|first=Alan|title=Most Popular Fitness Tracking Web Site: Fitocracy|url=http://lifehacker.com/5842058/most-popular-fitness-tracking-web-site-fitocracy/|work=Lifehacker|date=20 September 2011 |accessdate=23 January 2012}} Kotaku,{{cite web|last=Good|first=Owen|title=My Workout Partner is a Role-Playing Game|url=http://kotaku.com/5804310/my-workout-partner-is-a-role+playing-game|work=Kotaku|date=21 May 2011 |accessdate=23 January 2012}} and Destructoid.{{cite web|last=Chester|first=Nick|title=Get in shape with game-like Fitocracy|url=http://www.destructoid.com/get-in-shape-with-game-like-fitocracy-202436.phtml|work=Destructoid|accessdate=23 January 2012}} As it grew, it was covered by more mainstream media, including Popular Mechanics,{{cite news|last=Herrman|first=John|title=4 Great Apps to Game-ify Your Life|newspaper=Popular Mechanics|date=December 2011}} The New York Observer, CNN,{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Jacque|title=Why gamers are a great fit at the gym |date=14 October 2011 |publisher=CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/14/health/video-gamers-bodybuilders-fitocracy/|access-date=23 January 2012}} The New York Times and The Globe and Mail.
= 2012 Shorty Awards =
Fitocracy was nominated in the 2012 Shorty Awards. Although it received the most votes in its category,{{cite web|title=Shorty Awards Social Fitness Category|url=http://shortyawards.com/category/socialfitness|work=Shorty Awards Website|accessdate=30 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406172758/http://shortyawards.com/category/socialfitness|archive-date=6 April 2012|url-status=dead}} Social Fitness, it was not selected as the winner by the judges.
References
{{reflist|33em}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.fitocracy.com/}}