HealthyWage lets you bet real money on your own weight loss. Hit your goal and you win cash. Miss it and you lose everything. It's a high-stakes approach to fitness that has paid out over $55 million to winners since 2009.
But with only 25-40% of participants actually winning their bets, is it a smart gamble? We tested it ourselves to find out.
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What Is HealthyWage?
HealthyWage is a weight loss betting platform where you wager money on reaching a specific weight loss goal. You set the terms: how much weight you'll lose, how long you'll take, and how much you're willing to bet. If you hit your goal, you win a cash prize. If you don't, you lose your entire bet.
Founded in 2009, the company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has paid out over $55 million to winners. They're backed by research showing that financial incentives significantly improve weight loss success rates. For lower-risk alternatives, see our guide to apps that pay you to exercise.
The platform offers individual challenges (HealthyWager), team challenges, and jackpot competitions. Most users start with the individual HealthyWager, which is fully customizable and offers prizes up to $10,000.
Is HealthyWage Legit?
Yes, HealthyWage is completely legitimate. They've been operating since 2009, have thousands of documented winners, and maintain an A+ BBB rating. The company pays out as promised when you meet your verified goal.
But "legit" comes with a major caveat: most people lose. According to HealthyWage co-founder David Roddenberry, only 25-40% of participants actually win their bets. That means 60-75% of people lose their money. This is how HealthyWage funds the prizes and stays profitable.
It's not a scam. It's a calculated business model that works because most people don't follow through on weight loss goals. The question isn't whether they pay winners. It's whether you'll be among them.
How Does HealthyWage Work?
The HealthyWager (Individual Bet)
The main product is the HealthyWager, an individual weight loss bet you customize entirely:
Step 1: Set your goal. Choose how much weight you want to lose (minimum 10% of body weight or 10 lbs, whichever is greater) and your timeline (6-18 months).
Step 2: Place your bet. Decide how much to wager, from $20 to $500 per month. You can pay monthly or in a lump sum.
Step 3: See your prize. The calculator shows your exact prize if you win. Prizes range from slight profit to 3x your bet depending on your goal difficulty.
Step 4: Verify your weight. Submit a video weigh-in at the start showing your face, stepping on a scale, and the weight displayed. Repeat at the end.
Step 5: Lose the weight. You have your chosen timeframe to hit your goal. HealthyWage limits loss to 2% of body weight per week maximum to discourage crash dieting.
Step 6: Win or lose. Hit your goal exactly and you win your full prize. Miss it by even a pound and you lose everything.
Team Challenges
Join a team of 5 people and compete to lose the most weight collectively. Entry fees are typically $25-50 per person per month, with prizes split among winning teams. These add social accountability but come with coordination challenges.
Jackpot Challenges
Monthly competitions where everyone who hits their goal splits the jackpot. Lower individual risk since goals are more modest, but prizes are smaller and shared among all winners.
How Much Can You Win?
The HealthyWage Calculator
HealthyWage uses a prize calculator that factors in your starting weight, goal weight, timeline, and bet amount. The algorithm considers how difficult your goal is and adjusts the prize accordingly.
Harder goals (more weight, shorter timeline) earn higher prize multipliers. Easier goals earn less. This is how they manage risk on their end.
Example scenarios from the calculator:
| Goal | Timeline | Monthly Bet | Total Bet | Prize If Win | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lose 30 lbs | 6 months | $50 | $300 | $450-600 | $150-300 |
| Lose 50 lbs | 9 months | $75 | $675 | $1,000-1,400 | $325-725 |
| Lose 75 lbs | 12 months | $100 | $1,200 | $2,000-3,500 | $800-2,300 |
| Lose 100 lbs | 18 months | $150 | $2,700 | $4,500-7,000 | $1,800-4,300 |
Note: These are examples. Your actual prize depends on many factors. Always use their official calculator for accurate numbers before committing.
Real Prize Examples
From HealthyWage's published winners: Jessica C. won $1,938 for losing 67 pounds in 6 months. Jenny won $5,135 for losing 100 pounds. Miranda won $2,973 for losing 81 pounds. Another participant won $1,458 after investing $360 and losing 122 lbs.
These success stories are real, but remember: they're the 25-40% who succeeded. The majority of participants lost their bets entirely.
Our Experience: Betting $500 on Weight Loss
We had a team member bet $500 total ($83/month for 6 months) on losing 25 pounds. Here's what happened:
The setup: Video weigh-in was straightforward. You film yourself stepping on a scale, showing your face and the weight clearly. Felt a bit awkward but took under 5 minutes.
The motivation: Having money on the line absolutely changed behavior. Skipping workouts felt financially painful. The "loss aversion" psychology is real.
The pressure: Around month 4, progress stalled. The stress of potentially losing $500 was significant. Not everyone handles this pressure productively.
The result: Goal achieved with 3 pounds to spare. Prize received was $742, netting $242 profit.
Would we do it again? Mixed feelings. The financial pressure worked as motivation but also caused anxiety. It's not for everyone, and it only works if you actually hit the goal.
HealthyWage Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Proven psychological motivation | 60-75% of participants lose their money |
| Legitimate company, pays winners | All-or-nothing: miss by 1 lb, lose everything |
| Customizable goals and bets | Can encourage unhealthy rapid weight loss |
| Up to $10,000 in prizes | Stress and anxiety from financial pressure |
| Research-backed incentive model | Must commit to full bet even if you cancel |
| Clear rules and verification | 2% weekly max can penalize fast losers |
Tips to Win Your HealthyWage Bet
Set a realistic goal. Don't bet on losing 50 lbs if you've never successfully lost 20. Be honest about your history. A conservative goal you actually hit beats an ambitious one you miss.
Give yourself more time. Longer timelines have higher success rates. A 12-month challenge is less stressful than a 6-month sprint. The prize is lower, but so is the risk of losing.
Start heavier than you think. Weigh yourself after a big meal, with clothes on. Your starting weight directly affects your goal difficulty. A few extra starting pounds give you buffer.
Bet what you can afford to lose. Treat this like gambling money. If losing $500 would devastate you financially, bet less. The motivation works even at lower stakes.
Have a plan before you start. Don't sign up hoping to "figure it out." Have a specific diet and exercise plan ready. Consider working with a nutritionist or trainer.
Weigh in carefully at the end. Weigh yourself in the morning, after using the bathroom, wearing minimal clothing. This is the opposite of your starting weigh-in strategy.
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Who Should Use HealthyWage?
Good fit if you: respond well to financial pressure and deadlines, have weight to lose and a specific goal in mind, have tried other methods and need stronger motivation, can afford to lose the bet amount without hardship, have a concrete plan for how you'll lose the weight, and handle stress productively rather than destructively.
Avoid HealthyWage if you: have a history of eating disorders or disordered eating, would resort to unhealthy crash dieting to avoid losing money, can't afford to lose the bet amount, struggle with anxiety that would be worsened by financial pressure, don't have a realistic plan for reaching your goal, or are betting out of desperation rather than motivation.
This is important: HealthyWage can encourage unhealthy behaviors in vulnerable people. The 2% weekly loss limit helps, but the pressure of losing money can still push people toward extreme measures. If that describes you, there are better options.
HealthyWage vs Other Weight Loss Apps
| App | Model | Risk Level | Earning Potential | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HealthyWage | Bet on weight loss | High (lose bet if fail) | Up to $10,000 | High-stakes motivation |
| StepBet | Bet on step goals | Medium (smaller bets) | $5-20/challenge | Step accountability |
| DietBet | Bet on 4% weight loss | Medium (shared pot) | 1.5-2x entry fee | Short-term goals |
| Sweatcoin | Steps → crypto | None | $0.50-2/year | Zero-risk passive |
| Evidation | Health data → cash | None | $10-30/year | Zero-risk passive |
HealthyWage offers the highest potential earnings but also the highest risk. Sweatcoin and Evidation pay much less but cost you nothing if you fail. Your choice depends on your risk tolerance and how much external pressure helps you.
The Verdict: Is HealthyWage Worth It?
HealthyWage works exactly as advertised. If you hit your goal, you win money. If you don't, you lose your bet. The company is legitimate and the psychology behind financial incentives is sound.
But "works as advertised" doesn't mean it's right for everyone. Most participants lose their money. The pressure can be motivating or anxiety-inducing depending on your personality. And the all-or-nothing structure means missing your goal by a single pound costs you everything.
Consider HealthyWage if you've tried other weight loss approaches without success and respond well to financial stakes. The external pressure can break through plateaus and excuses in ways that willpower alone can't.
Skip HealthyWage if you're prone to unhealthy dieting behaviors, can't afford to lose your bet, or if financial pressure causes you more stress than motivation. There are gentler ways to earn from fitness, even if the payouts are smaller.
If you do try it, be conservative with your goal, give yourself plenty of time, and bet only what you can truly afford to lose. The best outcome isn't winning money. It's losing weight safely and keeping it off.
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FAQ — HealthyWage
Is HealthyWage legit?
Yes. HealthyWage has operated since 2009, holds an A+ BBB rating, and has paid out over $55 million to winners. The company is legitimate and pays as promised. However, only 25-40% of participants actually win their bets, meaning the majority lose their money.
How much can you win on HealthyWage?
Prizes range from small profits to over $10,000 depending on your bet amount, weight loss goal, and timeline. Most winners earn 1.5x to 3x their total bet. Use the official calculator to see your exact potential prize before committing.
What percentage of people win HealthyWage?
According to HealthyWage co-founder David Roddenberry, between 25-40% of participants win their bets. This means 60-75% of people lose their entire wager. The company profits from those who don't reach their goals.
Can you cheat HealthyWage?
It's difficult. HealthyWage requires video verification weigh-ins showing your face, you stepping on the scale, and the weight displayed clearly. They have fraud detection systems and can void prizes for suspicious activity. Attempting to cheat risks losing your bet and being banned.
What happens if you don't lose the weight?
You lose your entire bet with no partial refund. If you bet $500 and miss your goal by even one pound, you get nothing back. There's no credit for partial progress. This all-or-nothing structure is how HealthyWage funds prizes for winners.
Can HealthyWage be unhealthy?
Potentially, yes. The financial pressure can encourage crash dieting or unhealthy rapid weight loss in some people. HealthyWage limits weight loss to 2% per week maximum to discourage extreme measures, but the psychological pressure of losing money can still lead to unhealthy behaviors. If you have a history of eating disorders, this isn't for you.
Is HealthyWage available outside the US?
HealthyWage is primarily available in the United States. International availability is limited, and some features may not work outside the US. Check their website for current country restrictions before signing up.