[One Day Ten Thousand Steps] Don’t Walk Alone, Walk Together with ‘WalkOn’

Using a healthcare application that supports walking exercise makes reaching 10,000 steps much easier. Today, we will learn about walking using the mobile healthcare application 'WalkOn.'

WalkOn is a walking-based community healthcare platform operated by the startup Swalabi. Launched in 2015, the WalkOn app is one of the first services in Korea to introduce the concept of providing rewards based on the number of steps taken. Swalabi was founded as an independent company by CEO Haegwon Jeong, who was a researcher at Samsung Electronics and started it as an in-house venture.

WalkOn became widely popular by introducing community features. Local governments and public health centers requested to manage citizens' health through WalkOn. In response, community features for residents of specific regions or company employees were added to the app. In the app's 'Community' tab, users can create walking communities as small groups to record and compare their daily walking distances with other participants. Companies can manage and reward employees' walking records within their dedicated communities. Local governments can also check walking records in communities for residents.

Through WalkOn's 'Challenge' tab, users can receive rewards by achieving a set number of steps. By participating in challenges organized by companies or local governments and succeeding, users can earn rewards such as discount coupons or gift certificates. The National Movement Headquarters for "10,000 Steps a Day, 1,000 Letters a Day" (Hamanhacheon) also held the 'Hamanhacheon Walking Challenge' via the WalkOn app in September and November. Participants in the challenges themed 'Creating a Walking Habit on the Way to Work' and 'Barefoot Walking' actively engaged by posting walking verification messages in the community.

Walking certification post uploaded on the WorkOn app community (left) and the recommended walking course feature. [Image=WorkOn app capture]

Using WalkOn, users' walking records can be systematically analyzed. In the app's 'Home' tab, users can monitor their step count and movement records, including calories burned and distance traveled. The Home tab also recommends content such as videos and health information that can help with health management.

In the WalkOn app's 'Nearby' tab, users are recommended walking courses close to their location. The distance, estimated time, and expected number of steps for each course, along with local attractions included in the course, can be viewed at a glance.

The 'Haman Stream National Movement Headquarters,' Asia Economy & 'WalkOn' Swalabi sign a comprehensive business agreement to promote national brain health and encourage walking. Jung Haegwon, CEO of Swalabi (left), and Woo Byunghyun, CEO of Asia Economy, are posing for a commemorative photo. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@