2026 Step Challenge | April 1-30
One step at a time, UB is on the move.
The UB Step Challenge is returning in 2026 with fresh energy and plenty of motivation to keep you moving. Open to the UB and WNY communities, this free challenge turns everyday steps into a shared journey toward better health.
Whether you do solo or step it up with a team, April is all about progress you can feel. Track your daily steps, watch the leaderboard come alive and see how small moves add up to something big.
The steps don't stop here. Follow us on Facebook for everything you need to stay moving—one step at a time. š
Download the StepSense app.
Registration closes April 7.
- Download StepSense from the:
- Use Challenge Code: UBSTEPS26
- Fill out profile information and connect an activity tracking device
The StepSense setup wizard will guide you through the process.
On your own
If you want to participate in the Step Challenge, simply sign up. You don't have to join a team to participate.
With a team
Encourage friends, colleagues and family to step by signing up as a team! You can create a team or have a team captain add you to the team that has already been created. (Teams are made up of 2 to 40 people.)
- Go to the “Team” tab at the bottom of the screen
- Select “Create a team”
- Choose an image for your team, then tap “Next”
- Choose a team name, and slogan (optional), then tap “Next”
- Invite steppers who have already registered for the challenge to join your team
- Steppers invited to join a team can check their invitations under “Your team invitations” in the StepSense menu.
You’ll have up to April 10 to form a team.
FAQ's
StepSense connects to a variety of fitness tracking devices: Fitbit, Apple Health, Garmin, Google Fit and more.
Android users: Please note that Google recently changed how third-party applications like StepSense connect to Android phones. It's now through a Google app called Health Connect. You can find instructions here.
Although connecting your fitness tracking device is the easiest way to record your steps, StepSense also provides a way to input steps manually if you desire.
Synching your wellness device to StepSense is obviously the easiest way to track your progress. However, you can add steps manually by going to the StepSense menu and selecting “Manual step entry.” You will then be able to enter the number of steps you took and the date. There is a maximum manual entry of 30,000 steps per day.
Your StepSense Dashboard provides information about your personal performance in the Step Challenge including your current rank on the leaderboard. You'll also receive notifications within the app about how the challenge is going.
Contact the StepSense support desk at support@mystepandgo.com. You can also check the FAQ section in the app.
Top prizes
- Apple AirPods: One winner will be randomly chosen from the top 15 steppers on the individual leaderboard.
- $75 Campus Cash or UB Columbia Quarter Zip Sweatshirt (winner's choice): 6 winners will be randomly chosen among steppers who recorded steps on each day of the challenge.
Weekly prizes
$25 campus cash or UB tote bag: 5 participants who recorded steps each day during the week will be randomly selected.
To be eligible, you must sync/submit your steps on a daily basis.
Social media challenge prizes
Check our social channels each week for new social media challenges. Share your posts using #UBSteps26 for a chance to win. We'll select 3 winners every week!
Team prizes
University at Buffalo swag bag: Steppers in the 3 teams who have the highest average number of steps for the whole challenge.
Participants on teams can also qualify for individual prizes.
Accessing the Step Challenge
The University at Buffalo is committed to making the 2026 Step Challenge available to everyone wishing to participate. We have worked closely with StepSense during review and testing of the app. If you have any difficulty accessing the content or services on the challenge website or platform, the UB Step Challenge team will provide an alternative means of access to the information and services required to participate in the program. In addition, we will contact the StepSense team for their assistance in remediating any reported accessibility issues. Please contact us for assistance by email at sphhp-step-challenge@buffalo.edu, phone at (716) 829-5077, or in-person by appointment.
Your privacy
We understand the need and desire to keep your information private and secure. Read the University at Buffalo Privacy Policy.