Why do you award more points for heart rate?
We value clinically relevant and verifiable data because this helps us to better serve our members. Heart rate data provides us with more verified data that can be assessed for clinical relevance.

According to research, in order to benefit fully from moderate workouts, adults must reach an age-related heart rate of 70% of their maximum for at least 30 minutes. Adults will benefit from more vigorous workouts and we have reflected this benefit by more points for vigorous heart rate based workouts.

I don't want/have a device. How do I earn my points?
We still offer you many ways to earn your fitness points. Find out more about how to earn points on our website or the 'How to achieve your goal' section of Vitality Active Rewards on the Discovery app.

Some free apps are no longer supported. How can I earn my points without spending additional money?
We still offer you many ways to earn your fitness points. Find out more about how to earn points on our website or the 'How to achieve your goal' section of Vitality Active Rewards on the Discovery app.

Why do I only earn 100 points for taking more than 10 000 steps?
10 000 steps is the accepted guideline for the minimum number of steps that one should take in a day.

Vitality Active Rewards has been an enormous success and has brought important things to our attention.

We have had some issues with a few of the fitness devices and apps that we have previously supported on our platforms. These issues are around service levels, integration and ensuring verified data.

Most of the inconsistent data we received was from step counters. Due to the difficulty in verifying this data we have capped the number of points earned for steps at 100 points.

However, for Vitality 65+ members, we have reduced the number of steps to 7 500.

It is difficult for me to achieve the heart rate ranges doing yoga or Pilates. How will I earn points for these activities?
If the activity is done in a partner gym facility then members will get 100 fitness points. Flexibility workouts are important for your overall health and wellbeing, but it is important for you to take part in more cardiovascular forms of exercise as well which will mean achieving the required heart rate levels to be allocated with Vitality fitness points for certain heart rate targets.

How will I know which events are points events?
We have an online race calendar where you can see which events qualify for points.

We advise our members to check the calendar on a regular basis due to the continuous update of the calendar with new events being added.

How can I earn points for events that aren't on the calendar?
To earn Vitality fitness points for completing a race event, submit your race event details to us. We accept proof of race completion in the form of a race results certificate (pdf or scanned) or a screenshot of the results with relevant info. The supporting document needs to have the following to be considered certified proof of completion of the event:

1. Your name and surname
2. Event name
3. Event date
4. Race type
5. Distance
6. Race number
7. Finish time

Points for race events will be allocated depending on the discipline and distance of the event. Members have until the Friday at 17:00 after an event takes place to submit their submission so as to count towards Vitality Active Rewards goals. Late submissions will still count towards Vitality fitness points.

How do I earn Vitality fitness points?
There are many ways to earn Vitality fitness points, such as:

• Earn fitness points by taking part in any timed and verified race event locally or internationally in the disciplines of cycling, walking/running, swimming and major multisport events in line with our fitness fitness points table.
• For members who are just starting out, you can earn 50 points for tracking 5 000 steps a day.
• There is a heart rate points category for workouts between 60 and 69% and between 70 and 79% of age-related maximum heart rate.
• The Endurance and High Performance category will allow you to earn points for longer duration workouts.
• The weekly maximum goal is 900 points for all Vitality Active Rewards members (excluding those in the Endurance and High Performance category who have a maximum goal of 1 200).
• The weekly maximum goal for at-risk members with certain chronic conditions, health concerns during pregnancy, or members aged 65+ with risk factors is 600 points.

How can I earn fitness points for race events?
Discovery Vitality members are able to earn fitness points by taking part in any timed and verified race events locally or internationally in the disciplines of cycling, walking/running, swimming and major multisport events in line with our fitness points table. You will be able to submit your race event details manually on the race events capture form. Points for race events are allocated depending on the discipline and distance of the event.

View our full fitness points table to see how you can earn Vitality fitness points.

How can I earn points for tracking my heart rate?
Vitality awards you different Vitality fitness points for tracking and maintaining the following percentages of your maximum age-related heart rate.

For Vitality 65+ members
For an average heart rate from:

• 60% to 69% (light): You earn 200 Vitality fitness points for a light workout that lasts at least 60 minutes
• 70% to 79% (moderate): You earn 300 Vitality fitness points for completing a workout that lasts at least 30 minutes.

For Vitality members younger than 65
For an average heart rate from:

• 30 - 59 minutes (light) workout at 60% - 69% of max heart rate and you can earn 100 Vitality fitness points.
• 70% to 79% (moderate): You earn up to 200 Vitality fitness points for a moderate workout that lasts 30 - 59 minutes or 300 Vitality fitness points for a moderate workout that lasts 60 minutes or longer.
• 80% and over (vigorous): You earn up to 300 Vitality fitness points for a vigorous workout that lasts at least 30 minutes.

From 1 January 2024, Vitality members will be able to earn 100 Vitality fitness points through a few more workout options:

• 15 - 29 minutes moderate workout at 70% - 79% of max heart rate
• 15 - 29 minutes vigorous workout at 80%+ of max heart rate.

Additionally, 200 Vitality fitness points will be allocated for completing a 60 - 89 minutes light workout at 60% - 69% of max heart rate, and 300 Vitality fitness points for a 90+ minutes light workout at 60% - 69% of max heart rate.

Online workouts will no longer form part of the 1 200 Vitality fitness points monthly sub-cap but will form part of the annual 1 000 Vitality fitness points individual sub-cap together with speed workouts, completing a 60 - 89 minutes light workout at 60% - 69% of max heart rate, completing a 90+ minutes light workout at 60% - 69% of max heart rate, and completing a 15 - 29 minutes moderate workout at 70% - 79% of max heart rate.

View the average heart rate zones for your age

How can I qualify for the new Endurance and High Performance category?
The Endurance and High Performance category is for highly active members with a category for individuals who are training and competing in peak performance zones and who regularly participate in marathons, triathlons and similar endurance events. These Endurance and High Performance members typically exercise at lower heart rates for longer periods of time and we want to recognise these members' ongoing dedication and efforts when it comes to both their training and competing. See how to earn fitness points in the Endurance and High Performance category.

How can I join the Endurance and High Performance category?

This category within Vitality is by application only. You can apply online for this category by completing a simple eligibility questionnaire online to ensure that it is safe to exercise for long durations. Eligibility will also be based on 2017 race event participation or device-recorded vigorous workouts of at least 90 minutes.

Members wishing to be part of this category will be asked to satisfy ongoing eligibility criteria. Members who are at-risk with certain chronic conditions, health concerns during pregnancy, or members aged 65+ with risk factors are not eligible for the Endurance and High Performance category.

How can I exercise safely and still challenge myself?
Exercising safely and responsibly is something we feel strongly about. Our aim is to encourage members to exercise on a regular basis and gradually increase their activity level, without putting their health at risk. While exercise is proven to reduce the risk of developing chronic illness and shown to benefit people living with a chronic illness, it is very important to exercise safely and responsibly with an understanding of your health. We encourage all members to consult a doctor before engaging in physical activity - whether you are just starting out, trying a new exercise programme, or starting to increase your physical activity levels. If you are in any doubt, get advice and don't push yourself too hard. Here is some advice from our health experts on making sure your exercise is smart and safe.

Why can kids only earn points for vaccines?
From 2020, children will earn age-appropriate rewards for getting healthier. These will be directly awarded to children - helping parents encourage and reward healthy habits from a young age. Instead of earning Vitality points, kids aged 2 to 13 will now get rewarded with Discovery Miles for doing relevant health checks and participating in physical activity within the Vitality Active Rewards for Kids programme. Vitality Teens aged 14 to 17 can also earn Discovery Miles for these activities as well as a play on the gameboard every week for achieving their fitness goals through Vitality Active Rewards for Teens.

The points allocation for the physical activity of Vitality 65+ members has been adjusted to encourage regular exercise at a lower intensity, aligning with the health risks of older adults.
Vitality 65+ members can earn up to 30 000 Vitality fitness points a year by tracking steps and have no monthly steps cap when completing 7 500 steps or more a day. Vitality 65+ members earn 50 Vitality points for completing 5 000 to 7 499 steps and 100 points for completing 7 500 or more steps.

As a Vitality 65+ member you can earn 200 points for a light workout lasting at least 60 minutes if you maintain 60% - 69% of your maximum age related heart rate. You can earn 300 points for completing a 30 minute workout at 70% - 79% of your maximum age related heart rate.

My Vitality points are not reflecting what should I do?
Your Vitality points should reflect on your Vitality Points Tracker within four days of completing a Vitality activity. Vitality points for fitness devices usually take between 24 and 48 hours to reflect, depending on when we get fitness data from our partners. Points that have not yet reflected towards your Vitality Active Rewards goal will be retrospectively allocated as soon as we receive them. This is an automated process so it is not necessary for you to report this to us. If your points have not reflected after this time, please send us a query on the Discovery website help page and we'll assist. Your Vitality points should reflect on your Vitality Points Tracker within four days of completing a Vitality activity. Vitality points for fitness devices usually take between 24 and 48 hours to reflect, depending on when we get fitness data from our partners. Points that have not yet reflected towards your Vitality Active Rewards goal will be retrospectively allocated as soon as we receive them. This is an automated process so it is not necessary for you to report this to us. If your points have not reflected after this time, you can chat to a person now get help with this. Simply type chat to a person and choose Vitality.

Alternatively, you can call us on 0860 99 88 77 Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 18:00.

Why did I only get one set of points if I did more than one fitness activity in one day?
Vitality points will only be awarded for one fitness activity a day. If you complete more than one fitness activity in a day, you will receive points for the activity that offers you the highest points. By awarding Vitality points for one activity on a day, we want to ensure that Vitality members achieve ongoing healthy behaviour they can keep up over time - rather than a "quick fix" that will earn you lots of Vitality points fast, but without the desired health and behavioural outcome.

What points can I earn?
You can find an in-depth explanation of the points that you can earn through Vitality by reading Summary of points.