Press release -
Vitality + Zwift: a partnership in the virtual world towards global change
Johannesburg, Wednesday 11 August 2021
Vitality + Zwift: A partnership in the virtual world towards global change Vitality, the largest global platform for behaviour change, is proud to partner with Zwift, the global online fitness platform born from gaming towards fitness and social change.
- Zwift, the online gaming and fitness platform, plus Vitality, the global behaviour-change programme, unlocks boosted fitness opportunities.
- Social impact: Every stage completed Vitality for UNICEF Ride Series will unlock a life-saving polio vaccine for a child.
In the last two years, social interaction and travel for fitness have been missed in a pandemic world. However, thanks to technology, cyclists worldwide have been able to bring those experiences into their homes, with Zwift, the online gaming and fitness platform. As a scientifically grounded behavioural-change programme, Vitality harnesses technology to promote physical activity.
“A global partnership between Vitality and Zwift is therefore a natural acceleration toward fitness and ultimately, good health,” says Dinesh Govender, CEO of Vitality SA.
Govender adds: “Vitality has committed to helping people become more active and Zwift enables this in a fun, interactive manner, underpinned by the latest technology. We believe the impact of connecting our communities will be substantial and far-reaching.”
Group rides, friendly meet ups, mass-participation events and races are all possible in Zwift’s many virtual destinations, from London, New York, Paris… or to Zwift’s fantasy volcanic island, Watopia.
The partnership kicks off with the Vitality UNICEF Ride Series, held on Zwift between 23rd August and 6th September. In partnership with UNICEF, every ride completed during the Series will unlock a life-saving polio vaccine for a child. With the Vitality UNICEF Ride Series, Vitality is helping UNICEF vaccinate thousands of children with life-saving polio vaccines around the world.
Vitality, through numerous research and other studies built of over 50 million life years of behavioural-linked insurance data, has demonstrated the impact of exercise on disease and mortality and the insurance and societal value of improving behaviour. This is in line with the Vitality Global Pledge by its network of global insurance partners across 30 countries to make 100 million people 20% more active by 2025.
Eric Min, Zwift CEO and Co-Founder says, “Our mission at Zwift is to help make more people, more active, more often. It’s a mission that strongly resonates with the core beliefs of Vitality in their promotion of a fitter, healthier society. I’m delighted that we have been able to partner to offer these benefits to Zwift and Vitality members alike.”
Vitality members can bring the outdoor cycling experience indoors by pairing Zwift with their indoor bike or home trainer (a device that lets you ride your outdoor bike indoors). Starting with South Africa, with a subsequent international rollout, Vitality members in certain markets can earn vitality points, the programme’s measure for health engagement and outcomes which drive incentives and insurance premiums.
Vitality members in South Africa can automatically add to the value of their workouts by logging their Zwift ride with Vitality to earn reward points.
Vitality and Zwift work together toward behaviour change – and social impact
“Importantly, one of the additional benefits of the partnership is that members worldwide can participate in the Vitality for UNICEF Ride Series with Zwift and complete a virtual ride event to vaccinate a child against polio, aligned to Vitality’s existing partnership with UNICEF,” adds Govender.
The Vitality for UNICEF Ride Series runs from 23 August to 6 September 2021. For each stage of the challenge completed by a Vitality member, a polio vaccine will reach a child via UNICEF.
Route details
23 – 25 August | 26 – 28 August | 29 – 31 August | 1 – 3 September | 4 – 6 September |
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World: Watopia Route: Watopia Waistband Laps: 1 Distance: 15.8 mi // 25.5 km Elevation: 311 ft // 95 m |
World: Yumezi Route: Flatland Loop Laps: 2 Distance: 16 mi // 26 km Elevation: 656 ft // 200 m |
World: London Route: Greater London Flat Laps: 2 Distance: 14.4 mi // 23.2 km Elevation: 292 ft // 90 m |
World: France Route: RGV Laps: 1 Total Distance: 14.9 mi // 24.1 km Elevation: 354 ft // 108 m |
World: Watopia Route: Tick Tock Laps: 2 Total Distance: 20.8 mi // 33.6 km Elevation: 288 ft // 88 m |
Entries for the Vitality for UNICEF Ride Series open on the 20th of August on the Zwift website.
Want to give it a try first? Download Zwift and start with a 7-day trial and ride.
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Discovery information
About Discovery
Discovery Limited is a South African-founded financial services organisation that operates in the healthcare, life assurance, short-term insurance, savings and investment and wellness markets. Since inception in 1992, Discovery has been guided by a clear core purpose – to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. This has manifested in its globally recognised Vitality Shared-Value insurance model, active in 27 markets with over 20 million members. The model is exported and scaled through the Global Vitality Network, an alliance of some of the largest insurers across key markets including AIA (Asia), Ping An (China), Generali (Europe), Sumitomo (Japan), John Hancock (US), Manulife (Canada) and Vitality Life & Health (UK, wholly owned). Discovery trades on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange as DSY.
Follow us on Twitter @Discovery_SA
About Vitality
Vitality is the largest global platform for behaviour change, underpinning the insurance products of leading insurers worldwide, with more than 20 million members in 30 markets. The Vitality model, established by Discovery Limited in South Africa, has been incentivising behaviour change among its clients for over 25 years. Vitality creates shared value by combining behavioural economics, clinical science, and financial incentives to encourage and reward members for taking steps to improve their health. The model began with a focus on health and wellness, expanding to date to short-term insurance, investments and financial wellness. For more information, please visit the Vitality website or email the Discovery Media Relations team.
About Zwift
Zwift is the fitness company born from gaming. We’re dedicated fitness enthusiasts, experienced video game developers, and disruptive thinkers. Play is in our DNA and we know fun fuels results.
Zwift utilizes massively multiplayer online gaming technology to create rich, 3D worlds ripe for exploration. Join thousands of cyclists and runners in immersive playgrounds like London, New York, and Paris as well as our very own Watopia.
Our app connects wirelessly to exercise equipment: bike trainers, treadmills, and more, so your real world effort powers your avatar in the game.
From friendly races to social rides and structured training programs, Zwift unites a diverse community in pursuit of a more fun, immersive and social fitness experience.
