Why Loyalty Points Work Better Than Push Notifications in Fitness Apps

Push notifications were once the holy grail of re-engagement. A quick “Don’t skip your workout today!” or “You’re only 200 steps from your goal!” — and users would supposedly come running back.

But in 2025, that magic is fading. Notifications are ignored, muted, or worse — uninstalled away.

The truth is, motivation can’t be pushed. It needs to be earned. And that’s exactly what Rewarded User Acquisition (Rewarded UA) is bringing to fitness apps — turning loyalty into the new growth engine.

The Push Notification Plateau

Fitness apps depend on consistency. But when motivation dips (usually after week two), even the most creative push notifications start to fall flat.

The data backs it up:

• Average open rates for fitness app notifications dropped below 6% in 2024.

• Daily active users are most likely to churn after day 10 of inactivity.

  
  

Pushes remind users — but they don’t inspire them. And without emotional or tangible reward, even good habits fade fast.

The Rise of Reward-Based Engagement

Enter Rewarded UA — a strategy that rewards users for completing meaningful in-app actions, not just installs.

In fitness, this means:

• Earning loyalty points for finishing a workout streak.

• Unlocking premium content after completing fitness milestones.

• Getting partner discounts (like on supplements or gear) for consistent engagement.

  
  

It’s not bribery — it’s reinforcement. Rewarded UA taps into the same behavioral triggers that make progress addictive — but uses them for positive, sustainable growth.

Why Rewards Beat Reminders

1. They Activate Intrinsic Motivation

A push says, “You should.” A reward says, “You did.” That small shift creates a sense of accomplishment that builds long-term loyalty.

2. They Build Habit Loops

By tying a tangible benefit to consistency, rewards turn “I’ll try” into “I’ll keep going.” Each session reinforces behavior — not just awareness.

3. They Deliver Measurable Value

Unlike notifications, rewards can be quantified. They directly connect engagement to retention and ROAS, creating a clearer feedback loop for marketers.

Case in Point: The Loyalty Model That Works

Imagine a fitness app like FitTrack introducing a simple Rewarded UA loop:

1. Users discover the app through Gamelight’s Rewarded UA platform.

2. They’re offered a reward for completing their first 3 workouts.

3. Each milestone unlocks loyalty points redeemable for partner offers or premium plans.

   
   

The results?

• Lower CPIs (users are self-selecting based on intent).

• Higher Day 7 retention (thanks to intrinsic motivation).

• And stronger lifetime value (users stay because they earn their progress).

  
  

Why Fitness Apps Should Shift From “Remind” to “Reward”

The average user today receives over 50 notifications daily. Your app isn’t fighting competitors — it’s fighting fatigue.

Rewarded UA cuts through that noise by offering genuine value: something users want to engage with, not swipe away.

By shifting from reminder-based marketing to reward-based acquisition, fitness apps can finally close the motivation gap that’s been haunting the category for years.

How Gamelight Makes It Simple

At Gamelight, we help fitness apps grow through intent-driven, Rewarded UA campaigns — not push notifications or ad clutter.

With our self-serve dashboard, you can:

• Reach users already interested in health and wellness.

• Reward them for engagement that actually matters.

• Track installs, retention, and LTV with full transparency.

  
  

It’s growth that respects motivation — not just attention.

FAQ

Q1. Why are push notifications losing effectiveness?

Because users are desensitized. Without meaningful value behind the message, engagement quickly drops.

Q2. What makes Rewarded UA more powerful?

It’s built on motivation, not interruption — users choose to act and are rewarded for doing so.

Q3. Can non-gaming apps use Rewarded UA?

Absolutely. Fitness, finance, and lifestyle apps are already seeing high retention and ROAS through Gamelight’s rewarded ecosystem.

Q4. Are rewards expensive to maintain?

Not at all. Rewards can be digital — like unlocking premium features, partner offers, or loyalty points — not monetary payouts.

Are you ready to revolutionize your game's outreach? 

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