Join KU's Employee Movement Challenge!
October 5 - 31, 2025
We’re excited to launch the first-ever Movetober—a brand-new wellness initiative for KU employees! Movetober celebrates movement in all forms, whether you're walking, dancing, gardening, stretching, or rolling.
Join solo or form a team of 3–6 colleagues to stay motivated and connected. Each week features a fun theme, Tuesday 12:10 PM walks, and chances to win prizes for creativity, consistency, and spirit.
Whether you're on campus or working remotely, there's something for everyone—Movetober is designed to be flexible and fun wherever you are!
Weekly Themes
Week 1: Move with Jayhawk Spirit & Baby Jay
Join us in person:
Meet us Tuesday, October 7 at 12:10 PM in front of the Kansas Union for a group walk down Jayhawk Boulevard, with special guest Baby Jay!
Everyone:
Options for everyone! Can't make it in person? Share your KU spirit by posting photos of your KU gear in the Movetober Teams channel!
Week 2: Move with Pets & Mass Street Mutts
Join us in person:
Meet us on Tuesday, October 14 at 12:10 PM in front of Chalmer's Hall for a group walk with adoptable pups from Lawrence Humane!!
Everyone:
Share a photo or story of a pet—or your visit with a shelter animal—in the Movetober Teams channel!
Week 3: Move in Nature & the Beauty of Fall
Join us in person:
Meet us Tuesday, October 21 at 12:10 PM in front of the Campanile for a walk to the Audio Reader Sensory Garden.
Everyone:
Share a photo or reflection from your nature-inspired movement in the Movetober Teams Channel!
Week 4: Walk n' Roll - The Movetober Finale
Join us in person:
Meet us on Tuesday October 28, at 12:10 PM in front of Watson Library for a group walk & live music from the band members!
Everyone:
Share a photo of you moving to the beat or even your favorite movement playlist in the Movetober Teams channel!
Participate Your Way
👤➕👥 Options
Join as an individual or form a team of 3-6 members.
Teaming up is optional but a fun way to stay connected and motivated!
🏃♀️ Individuals
No registration needed– just log your weekly movement minutes in the Movetober Weekly Tracker (Qualtrics survey) using your email.
🧑🤝🧑 Teams
By October 3rd, one person registers your team name in the Movetober Team Registration Form (Qualtrics survey). Team members select that name when logging their weekly totals.
✅ Every Movement Counts
What counts as movement? Any activity that gets you moving! Walking, dancing, yard work, fitness classes, stretching, chair yoga, rolling, biking. If it gets your body in motion, it counts. Every Jayhawk Is Welcome!
⏰ Log Your Minutes
Log your previous week's minutes by Mondays at 12:00 noon (Central) and be entered into random weekly prize drawings!
📅 Final Deadline
Enter all movement minutes by Thursday, November 6th to qualify for final prizes and recognition.
Win Prizes & Recognition
🎯 Weekly Prize Drawings
Log your movement minutes by each Monday at noon central for the prior week and you’re in! Each week, we'll draw random names for wellness-themed goodies.
📸 Theme Bonus Entries
Get creative with weekly themes! Share a theme-related photo in the Teams Channel and earn extra chances to win that week. Share your photos also by Monday at Noon!
⏳ Consistency Counts
Log movement every week to qualify for a special end-of-month drawing. Steady wins the swag! Enter all your weekly minutes by 5:00 PM (Central) on November 6th.
🏆 Grand Prizes
- Top Movers: Individuals and teams with the most minutes take home awards! Enter all your minutes by 5:00 PM (Central) on November 6th.
- Team Spirit Award: Show off your creativity, encouragement, and team vibes for a special prize
✨ Movetober BONUS Events ✨
Move-N-Learn: Employee Weight Rooms Tour & Strength Training Basics
Location: Robinson Center, Rooms 102/103
A certified personal trainer will give a guided tour of the Robinson Center Weight Rooms, a free facility open to KU employees.
Learn how to use each machine and piece of equipment safely and effectively. The trainer will also demonstrate a quick and efficient 20–30 minute full-body strength workout template—perfect for busy schedules and all fitness levels!
Guide: Dustin Kinsey, Certified Personal Trainer, Studio Alpha
KU employees can register through My Talent. KU affiliates, email wellness@ku.edu.
Pure Barre Pop-Up
Location: Platform at Potter's Lake
Small movements. Full body benefits. Pure Barre is a full-body workout that transforms you physically and mentally. Our musically driven group classes focus on low-impact, high intensity movements that strengthen and tone your body in 50 minutes or less. Perfect for all fitness levels!
Join Pure Barre Lawrence at Potter’s Lake for a killer workout. Pure Barre can be modified to suit any need, so don’t be afraid to try! Bring water and a yoga mat or beach towel. Yoga mats will also be provided.
Trainer: Carrie Barton, Pure Barre Lawrence
KU employees can register through My Talent. KU affiliates, email wellness@ku.edu.
Lunch-N-Learn: Keep the Momentum Going After Movetober!
Zoom
When Movetober wraps up, your motivation doesn’t have to end! Join Sabrena Jo, PhD for a fun and interactive lunch-n-learn to discover how to keep your body moving year-round.
Learn why motivation naturally shifts after the first month, explore simple strategies grounded in motivational science, and leave with practical tools to make physical activity joyful, sustainable, and uniquely yours.
Presenter: Sabrena Jo, Ph.D., Senior Director of Science and Education, American Council on Exercise (ACE)
KU employees can register through My Talent. KUMC employees & KU affiliates, email wellness@ku.edu.
Quick Info & Handy Links
- Schedule of Events & Deadlines Select to follow link
- Movetober Team Registration Select to follow link
- Movetober Weekly Tracker Select to follow link
- Movetober Teams Channel Select to follow link
- Become a KU Wellness Ambassador Select to follow link
- Sign-up for the Monthly Employee Wellness Newsletter Select to follow link
