Why So Many Lurk at the Gym – And How a Zombie App Might Save the Day
Picture this: One in seven Britons has a gym membership, yet most of those memberships go unused after a few months. It’s like paying for a ticket to a concert and then bailing on showtime.
What’s Going Wrong?
- Intimidation. Gaining the courage to step onto a treadmill feels like facing a life‑changing cliff.
- Inconvenience. Between work, family, and other commitments, squeezing in a workout is tough.
Adrian Hon, CEO of Six to Start, says gyms just don’t spark that animation inside us. He tried a treadmill while catching MTV, but it felt “boredom‑ridden.” “I want to feel excited and motivated when I run,” he remarked.
The Brainstorm That Became a Hit
Partnering with author Naomi Alderman, Adrian transformed that frustration into Zombies, Run! – a story‑driven running app that turns you into the hero of a zombie apocalypse. It launched in 2012 and has already racked up close to four million downloads across iTunes and Google Play.
Beyond keeping runs fun, Adrian hopes the app’s success will shake up the gym scene. “Imagine going to the gym and getting the next chapter of a great story. That would keep you coming back,” he says.
Other Fun Ideas for Gyms
- Virtual races. Join a paid, location‑free competitive run on a chosen day.
- World‑class virtual instructors. Train under experts from anywhere in the globe.
- At‑home yoga. Refreshing sessions from the comfort of your living room.
- VR adventures. Run on Mars—while your sneakers stay on Earth.
In short, the sky isn’t the limit. Fetch real‑time updates on this post now by subscribing.
