How to turn Pokemon GO into a gym membership, or more.

Pokemon GO is encouraging millions of people to get outside in the real world and adventure.

Overtaking Twitter in active users, this game appears to be a cultural phenomenon. More physical exercise has happened in the weeks since Pokemon GO launched than the years Netflix has been streaming its own shows. People are going to parks, walking through towns, and staying physically active all for the sake of catching them all.

While a very fun game, Pokemon GO can become quite a distraction.

If you thought having notifications for email turned on was distracting, wait until you walk through a highly poké populated area. Feeding to not only our childhood fantasies, but also our reward seeking amygdala, Pokemon GO is a potent distraction.

Many of us who enjoy the Pokemon universe, but enjoy being productive in real life may feel that such a game may be a detriment to our time. Or we may just feel like we don’t have the time to take part in it at all. Without a clear value of our time spent, Pokemon GO falls into the category of a pleasant distraction to be avoided.

What if there was a way to utilize this distraction?

Thanks to behavioral science, and some clever game designers at Niantic, we can use Pokemon GO as a tool to stay fit.

Pokemon GO encourages users to visit parks, zoos, and other outdoor areas containing land marks. A common feature of these outdoor locales is the room to run around, literally.

A sculpture park in St. Louis contains 20+ of the special nodes in Pokemon GO known as Pokéstops. Conveniently these nodes are located on various walking and jogging trails.

Being that it takes ~5 minutes for the Pokéstops to reset, a visitor to the park can make their way in a loop around the park constantly “farming” the Pokéstops for items and experience. All the time catching a substantial population of Pokemon.

Physically running through the trails produces more items and experience at a faster rate than walking.

Making a lap or two around the park not only a great exercise, but also a great way to catch Pokemon and level up.

This effect is increased by in game items such as Incense and Lucky Eggs. Which respectively increase the chances of finding a Pokemon, and increase the rate of experience gain. Both of these items can be gained by leveling up, and through purchase on the Pokemon GO shop.

The two items, Incense and Lucky Egg, both last 30 minutes. 30 minutes is a solid time for an exercise routine. In this park example a few miles or even 5K would work nicely. One can run through the park, listening for the audio cues of the Pokéstops and Pokemon, slowing down or stopping when needed to interact with the game.

Some may find it easier than others to collect Pokéstop items and catch Pokemon while jogging. Others may use these events as rests in between all out sprints. An HIIT workout that is sure to break a sweat.

Another option is Lucky Eggs and Lures, planting a lure on a cluster of Pokéstops leaving the perfect place for a 30 minute stationary workout. Pushups, mountain climbers, burpees, and squats are all great choices.

Plan it all out.

For $20, you can purchase 2500 coins in game. A stack of 25 Lucky Eggs costs 1250 coins, and a stack of Incense costs 1250 coins. Exercising 5 days a week, 30 minutes a day, we can compare the price to that of a gym membership.

If you’re struggling to form an exercise habit and need an incentive to take action, $20 a month may be just the price to pay. Not only does it give you a reason to take action and get exercise, it opens up the opportunity to play a fun game with others.

Obviously you do not need to spend money on Pokemon GO to take advantage of its ability to promote exercise. But if you’re looking for that final push, a few bucks a month may be just what you need.

Will you use Pokemon GO as a fun excuse to get fit?