General Information
What is Active U?
Active U is a FREE 12-week physical activity challenge and fundraiser that is designed for every fitness and activity level. Join as an individual or become part of a team. By tracking your physical activity minutes in the online Active U Tracker every week, you can become more active and even learn healthier exercise tips!
Who can participate in Active U?
All University of Michigan faculty, staff, retirees, alumni, graduate and undergraduate students, and spouses and Other Qualified Adults (OQA) of active faculty and staff are eligible to participate in Active U.
What is an OQA: Please visit the University Benefits office page.
How do I register for Active U?
Starting January 8, 2024, go to the MHealthy Portal, powered by Asset Health to complete the pre-survey and register for Active U. For the best experience, it is recommended that you use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to access the MHealthy Portal.
If this will be your first time on the new MHealthy Portal, you may need to do a first-time login process before registering for Active U. How you log into the portal will depend on your affiliation with the university.
| U-M Affiliation | How to access the MHealthy Portal |
|---|---|
| Faculty/Staff (Benefits-Eligible) | Log in using your U-M uniqname and UMICH Level-1 password. |
| Spouse/Other Qualified Adult (Enrolled in U-M Health Plan) |
|
| Faculty/Staff (Non-Benefits Eligible), Spouse/Other Qualified Adult (of Active Faculty/Staff Not Enrolled in a U-M Health Plan), Temporary Staff, Retirees, Alumni and Students |
|
Additional information on access the MHealthy Portal:
- Newly hired benefits-eligible faculty and staff will gain access to the MHealthy Portal approximately 10 business days after they have elected their e-benefits online. Their U-M benefits-enrolled spouse/other qualified adult will also gain access at this time.
- If at any time an employee’s employment changes with the university, this may impact their ability and their spouse/OQA’s ability to access the MHealthy Portal and the Active U program. If this happens on or before Feb. 5, email us at [email protected].
If you have any questions on eligibility, please contact U-M Shared Services Center at 734-615-2000.
Once logged in, go to the “Active U Challenge” box and select Get Started. Make sure to complete both the Active U Pre-Survey and the Active U Registration.
Also, please note these important dates:
- You can join a team through Feb. 5, 2024.
- Begin tracking your physical activity minutes starting Jan. 22, 2024.
Is the Active U pre-survey required?
Yes, the pre-survey must be completed.
Do I have to join a team?
No, some people prefer to participate in Active U on their own.
Active U T-shirts and Upgrade Items
Will T-shirts be offered this year?
Yes! We are excited to bring back the Active U T-shirt (with options to upgrade) for 2024. To qualify for a T-shirt, you must successfully complete Active U 2024.
- Faculty and staff who successfully complete Active U 2024 can choose to get a free T-shirt OR pay to upgrade to a different item.
- Students, retirees, alumni, and spouses / OQAs who successfully complete Active U 2023 can purchase any one Active U item.
How do I earn an Active U T-shirt?
To successfully complete the program and qualify your Active U T-shirt, you must:
- Answer the Active U pre-survey questions by April 28.
- Reach your personal weekly minutes goal. Included in this is logging at least 30 minutes per day, at least 4 days per week. The minimum weekly goal allowed in the program is 150 minutes.
- Log successfully (see #2) at least 8 out of the 12 Active U weeks.
- Answer the post-program questions (available March 20 – April 28)
To see how many weeks you have completed successfully, go to the bottom/middle of your Active U logging page on the MHealthy Portal.
What are my Active U item options?
Coming soon.
How much are the upgraded clothing items?
Coming soon.
How do I order my free T-shirt or upgraded item (for faculty and staff only)?
Once you've met the requirements for successful program completion (including completing the program survey), you will receive an email with information on how to order an Active U T-shirt or upgrade to a different item. Look for your email about a week after you've successfully completed. The first email is scheduled to go out the week of March 18.
Where do I pick up my clothing item?
You will have the option to pick up your Active U item or pay to have it mailed to you. More information will be available soon!
Logging Activity Minutes
How do I log my physical activity minutes?
You can log your physical activity minutes manually or by syncing your tracking device or mobile app with the Active U tracker on the MHealthy Portal, powered by Asset Health. Enter activity up to the last 14 days. Please note: For the best experience, it is recommended that you use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to access the MHealthy Portal.
How do I sync my device or app to the Active U program?
View this document for information on how to sync your fitness device. Note: Your activity minutes won't show up until January 22.
What fitness trackers can I sync to Active U?
View this list of activity tracking devices and apps that are compatible with the new Active U tracker on the MHealthy Portal, powered by Asset Health.
How do I change my weekly goal?
To change your weekly goal, click in the goals section of your Active U program and change the goal. You may increase your goal in increments of 10 minutes, and after you save it, your goal begins the following week of the program.
Where can I go to see my progress toward reaching my program goals (logging exercise at least four days a week for at least 30 minutes a day, successful logging at least 8 out of the 12 weeks, and completion of the program survey (available starting March 20)?
There are two locations on the Active U tracker where you can see weekly goal completion. On the logging page near the bottom, you will see your logged minutes for that week. Also, on your virtual badge page, you will be able to see virtual awards given for every week you have completed successfully.
Team Information
How do I start a team?
After you complete the pre-survey, you will click on the Register Now button. At that point you can decide whether you want to create a team, join an existing team you know, join as an individual, or be placed on a team. Click on the button that indicates how you want to participate.
Are there divisions this year?
This year of Active U does not include divisions.
If I am a team captain, how do I invite team members?
Once you have created your team, you can scroll down to see an area called "Want To Invite A New Member?” where you can input email addresses (singular or group email addresses) and send an email to anyone whom you are inviting to join your team. Please make sure to write full email addresses in the address box (not just uniqnames). Please note: The deadline for team members to join is February 5, 2023.
What does it take to be a team captain?
As a team captain, you serve as a motivator for team members by organizing team activities and/or sending motivational emails; anything to help get your team moving.
Team captains also remind team members to log their physical activity minutes throughout the program. Logging minutes is very important as it is the way team standings are determined throughout the program and at the end of the 12 weeks. Learn more about being a team captain.
Can I name co-captain(s)?
No, there are no co-captains in Active U 2024
Can my teammates see my information?
Your teammates cannot see the minutes you have logged.
How are team standings calculated?
We calculate the % of goal met for each person. This includes not only time but number of times logging. This is capped at 100%, (so if you log 5 times and a total of 1,000 minutes, and your goal is 150 minutes over at least 4 days a week, you would have 100%).
Then we average the goals for the week for everyone on the team, then we average that over all weeks in the program that are active.
How do I see who is on my team?
To see your teammates, log into the MHealthy Portal and select “Active U Registration” within the Active U Challenge box. This will take you to the Active U page. Near the bottom of the page, you will see the names of your team's members. Team captains are always the first person listed on the team list.
Once logging has started, you may also go to the logging page, then click on the “Team Roster” tab near the top to see all team members and their email addresses.
Perks and Prizes
This year, Active U includes an opportunity to earn a prize, win Amazon gift cards, and give back to the community:
- Qualify for an Active U T-shirt by successfully completing the program.
- Enter monthly Swag Squad drawings for a change to win a $25 Amazon gift card.
- Donate to Active U’s 2024 charity of choice, Project Health Schools. Make a donation.