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HealthyWage Review: Get Paid Losing Weight

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HealthyWage is a company that almost sounds too good to be true.  It’s one that pays you to lose weight, and it’s one I have mentioned a few times, such as in my get paid to work out and 37+ odd ways to make money posts.

If you’re looking to lose weight and want to make money instead of spending it, then it may be one to consider.  However, like all of my reviews, I always like to dive in deep and see if it’s worth it.

While it may sound great to make money while shedding a few pounds, there are some restrictions, of course.

HealthyWage Review

In today’s review, I want to talk about the company, how it works and if it’s worth it in the end.  Can you make up to $10,000?  Will they pay out?  Does it work?  Is it legal?  There are so many questions to answer.

As in all of my reviews, I’m always honest, I go into detail and never recommend a company I personally wouldn’t use.  With that out of the way, strap in and see what this company is all about.  After reading, you may be on your way to making thousands, all while shedding a few pounds.

What is HealthyWage?

HealthyWage uses cash prizes to make weight loss and fitness “more fun and effective.”  It was founded 2009 by David Roddenberry and Jimmy Fleming and was considered one of the first of its kind in the United States to offer cash incentives to consumers looking to lose weight.

It’s a for-profit private wellness company that provides a variety of cash prizes, noted for pushing public discussion on health incentive issues.  According to the official about us page, the company uses innovative ways to help the growing obesity epidemic to help people get moving and lose weight.

The company is currently based in Coral Gables, Florida and has been featured in many popular media outlets, such as ABC, NBC, The Washington Post and NPR, to name a few.  In 2019 alone, the company paid out more than $13 million in prizes to more than 30,000 people.

There’s no doubt the company in question is legitimate, but is it worth your time?



How HealthyWage Works

As I write this, HealthyWage offers weight challenges for everyone, no matter how much you weight you need to lose.  You can either participate to lose weight through your company, as a group or you can do it on your own if you choose to do so.  I promise there’s something for you.

And, using the platform is simple.  You can calculate your prize, make a bet, lose the weight and win/share the money if you reach your goals.

The Challenges to Win Cash

Right now, the company offers the following popular challenge options if you want to make money while losing weight or even increasing your step count.

They all vary in how you can win and how they work, but I broke them down below.

Team Challenges

In the team challenges, teams of five compete to win cash prizes, with the first prize being up to a whopping $10,000.

To take advantage, you will sign up with a team of five on your own or you can get matched with a team if you choose this route.   You will then choose a challenge, which offer a range of prizes.  If it’s the biggest prize you want, at $10,000, then you will need a team of five and pay the entry fee as specified.   They do vary, however.

For example, in that screenshot, you would have to pay $33 a month for three months and lose the greatest percentage of weight to win the top prize.  Even if you’re not number one, you can still place and take home money.  It just won’t be as much.  Once you join, you can see a grand list of prizes based on how many teams join your challenge.

The HealthyWager

As a “HealthyWager,” you can enter individual weight loss challenges, winning up to $1,000+.  If going this route, the company will ask you to play around with the calculator to see how much you can win.

On this calculator, you will let them know how much weight you want to lose, how much you time you need and how much you’re willing to bet.  Yes, you do need to bet money in order to win, but I will talk about this later on.  After putting in your numbers, HealthyWage will let you know how much you could win.  If you’re happy with the number, then they will ask you for more information such as your gender, height, your current weight as well as your weight size.

HealthyWage uses a proprietary algorithm to help determine the prize amount so your prize value is always vary.  According to a rep, your ROI can range from 11% to more than 300% based on a number of factors.  Usually, the heavier you are, the more you can win.

Out of all the options I list, this tends to be the most popular option.

If you want to compete on your own and with no one else, then this is the one to consider.  However, in going this route, it won’t offer as great of a prize in comparison to the rest, but it’s money, nonetheless.

Jackpot Challenges

As a jackpot challenge participant, you can participate either as an individual or as a team to try to achieve a specific weight loss goal.  This section varies, but it offers fantastic jackpot options.

There are always a variety of challenges available, each offers various entry fees, prizes and dates to compete.

For instance, in my screenshot above, the “Shape Shifters Challenge” offers a $4,995 pot and requires that you pay $20 a month for three months.  If you lose six percent by June 17, then you win a share of the pot.  How much you win will be dependent on how many other people win.

If you don’t want to play around with the calculator and just want to know what you need to do and pay, then it’s one to consider.

Step Challenges

The step challenges focus more on walking rather than weight and encourage you to walk more.  So, instead of losing a certain percentage, you will need to increase your steps, usually by more than 25% to win a portion of the pot.

Like the jackpot challenges, you can see how much the entry fee is, how much you can win and when you need to participate in order to win.

If you’re interested in any of these challenges the company let’s you participate in up to ten challenges at a time, so just let it be known you’re not limited to just one.

How Do I Win Money?

No matter which challenge you take part in, they will all work in a similar way.  You will have to commit to a bet, usually which needs to be paid every month for two to three+ months and then meet the challenge goals to win a part of the prize.

For example, if you were to go on your own and not compete with anyone else, you could win $500 to $750 if you lost 10 pounds over nine months.  After paying $50 a month, you may only net $50 to $250, depending how you set up your bet.  Usually, it’s not much, maybe 10% on your initial gain, but again, play with that calculator to see how much you could win.  The results will vary in this case.

As for the team challenges, you will need to pay an entry fee monthly, again, over the course of a few months and meet a goal.  Usually, you will need to lose 6% of your weight or be near the top on the leader board in percentage total to share the prize.  How much you win will depend on how many teams win.  If 13 teams entered and only two qualified, then you would split the pot 50/50.  However, if 10 teams won, you would have to split the pot 10 ways.  In some cases, only the first place team wins the prize.

Everything you need to know will be presented to you upon joining, so just make sure you read the requirements before you enter your credit card information.  What you’re going to find out is that there’s a lot of money to be made in the team challenges, but the personal challenges often yield a very poor return on your money.  It’s a big bet that won’t pay off that much in the end.

How Do They Know How Much Weight I Lost?

No matter which challenge you choose, you will have to verify your weight twice; once at the beginning of the challenge and once at the end, usually on the last day of your challenge.

To verify your weight, the company gives you two options.

You can either download the mobile app and have a referee verify your weight as you weigh in remotely or you can print a “Verify Me!” form and have a qualified witness sign the form after you step on the scale.  This employee can be a nurse, health club staff member, doctor or WW employee.  You can then upload this photo to your account to get your credit.

Signing Up

As I write this, HealthyWage is open to all residents of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico & throughout Latin America, Australia, and most of Europe and Asia.  There are exceptions if you’re participating with your employer.

To sign up, HealthyWage will first want you to create an account, just like any other site.  They will ask for your email address as well as ask you to create a password.

After, you can then select the challenge you’re interested, putting down your first month’s deposit and agreeing to the terms.

From there, you can select or create a team if joining a team challenge or go on own your own.  This will depend on the type of challenge you choose to complete.  And, once you complete your registration, you will need to confirm your weight, as mentioned, twice throughout and proceed to complete the challenge by the date given.

If you do win, you will have to verify your weight on the final day.  And, if it’s confirmed, you will win the prize money promised.

Getting Paid

If you lose the weight or increase your step count to meet the requirements, then congrats, you will get paid, there’s no doubt about it.

Upon completion and confirmation, HealthyWage will reward you with what’s known as HW Points, which equate to a penny each.  These points are usually added to your account on the day of confirmation.

With your points, you can then do a few things.

You can request a payout, use the points to join a new challenge or you can use points to pay installments on a current challenge.

If you do request a payout, they will pay you via PayPal or a physical check, but there is a $7 processing fee in the case you do choose the paper check option.  PayPal is free, however.



Is HealthyWage a Scam?

Right away, if you hear the words “get paid to lose weight,” you may instantly think it’s a scam.  I get it.  It’s a claim that sounds too good to be true.

Even though you may be questioning it, let it be known that the company is 100% legitimate and is not out to scam you.  Since the majority of people who sign up don’t reach their goals and/or don’t stick to their diet plans, the company will take their bets and shift it to those who do win.  In fact, the co-founder claims up to 40 percent of their participants win their bet.  Of course, they will take some from the top to keep operating, but that’s the simplicity of their business model.

As briefly mentioned above, the company as been around since 2009 and makes money from more than just the bets as they make some cash from partnerships and related fees as well.

While it does seem like a gamble, and technically it is in a way, it’s always in your favor as all you need to do is lose weight to win your prize.  You’re always in control.

Online HealthyWage Reviews

As in all of my reviews, I always love to check out the internet, particularly third-party review websites, and see what other people are saying.  No matter what I review, I can always find both the good and bad, regardless of what I’m reviewing.

In this section, I made it easier for you, breaking down the pros and cons I found online.  Hopefully, this can help you better understand what other people think about the service.

The Pros

  • legitimate way to lose money while losing weight
  • prizes up to $10,000
  • A+ BBB rating
  • reputable company
  • pays via PayPal
  • you get to choose the challenges
  • tons of challenges to choose from
  • easy to join

The Cons

  • you do need to place a bet to win (seen as a downfall to some)
  • you will lose your money if you don’t reach your goals
  • the ROI can be low for some
  • teammates may not be as motivated as you

Final Thoughts

7/10HealthyWage is great if you’re looking to lose weight and you want a good motivator.  Science and research has proven that money incentives can greatly increase your chances of losing weight.

Picture this platform like a casino, only that the odds are truly in your favor if you stick to a plan.  You do control your weight loss destiny.  Whether it’s winning $50 or $10,000, there’s a lot of money to be made if you stick to your goal and find the right team if you want to complete a team challenge.

For me, I’ll add HealthyWage to my list.  It’s one of the most popular options on the internet and receives a lot of praise.  Plus, who doesn’t like the idea of winning hundreds, if not thousands of dollars to lose a few pounds.  Even if you’re hesitant, bet only a few dollars or start with the step challenge to see how the platform works and if you can win.  You may be surprised at how easy it could be if you have the right discipline.

Now, it’s your turn.

Have you tried it?  Did you win?  What did you like?

As always, you’re more than welcome to sound off below as long as you remain on topic!

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Tom Nathaniel

Hi! My name is Tom Nathaniel, and I created LushDollar to help share my honest thoughts on everything money. You won't find gimmicks here. It's the Internet's most honest money site after all. I graduated from Arizona State University, and I have worked in the finance industry since 2006, consulting with multiple Fortune 5000 companies.

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