Spin Tek Case Study: Getting a Desk-Based IT Team Moving

How do you get a team of software developers away from their desks? Spin Tek, one of Estonia's oldest IT companies, has long organized sports days and retreats – but motivating the less sporty half of the team remained a challenge. With YuMuuv, the 25-person company found a way to keep around 60% of employees active all year. This case study is based on an interview with Mari Uusmaa from Spin Tek's management board.

At a Glance

• Company: Spin Tek, founded in 1991 – software development, public procurement and IT infrastructure, with clients in 13 countries
• Team: 25 employees, mostly desk-based
• Using YuMuuv: for about two years
• Engagement: around 20 of 25 employees joined, and 15 stayed active throughout the year

Background

Spin Tek started as a hardware company and evolved into a software business. Today it serves ministries, public sector organizations and international partners in 13 countries, from the Philippines to the United States.

The Challenge: A Culture of Movement in a Desk Job

• Sedentary work: long hours at the computer called for deliberate movement breaks.
• Engagement gaps: active people joined every initiative, while less active colleagues needed more encouragement.
• Big differences in fitness: challenges had to work for everyone.

What Spin Tek Already Did

• Health Week: a spring or summer week of daily activities, from yoga to short hikes.
• A healthy office: free fruit and encouragement to take breaks, including walks by the harbour near the office.
• Seasonal retreats: summer and winter sports retreats, including cross-country skiing, a tradition for more than two decades.
• Quarterly sports events: squash and badminton tournaments.

Even so, many employees drove to work, sat for long hours and drove home again. Spin Tek needed something that worked every day, not just at events.

How Spin Tek Uses YuMuuv

1. Year one: frequent challenges

Employees took part in frequent challenges – and some less sporty colleagues even bought fitness trackers to join in. Step challenges were popular, but big differences in activity levels showed the need for more balance.

2. Evolving the format

• Team challenges reduced the dominance of the most active people and encouraged collaboration.
• A year-long personal goal challenge: everyone who reached 100% of their personal goal received a €100 voucher – rewarding consistency rather than top performance.
• Creative formats: Spin Tek's marketing team designed challenges such as progressive daily goals and themed wellness weeks.

Results

• About 20 of 25 employees joined YuMuuv, and 15 stayed active throughout the year – around 60% of the company.
• Personal goals encouraged people to engage on their own terms.
• Fresh ideas came from seeing how other companies use YuMuuv.

Lessons Learned

1. Inclusivity is key: balance challenges so both active and less active employees can succeed.
2. Small teams, big impact: in a close-knit company, a bit of friendly social pressure drives participation.
3. Technology helps: a platform takes care of the logistics so the team can focus on ideas.

Mari also shared ideas for the future: automatic goal progression to keep challenges dynamic, and separate company rankings for small, medium and large organizations. For Spin Tek, wellness goes beyond movement – it's about a culture that values health in all its forms, from better sleep to balanced nutrition.

Key Takeaways for Small Companies

• Combine traditional events with an everyday challenge.
• Use team challenges and personal goals instead of only "most steps wins".
• Reward everyone who reaches their goal – see the rewards guide.
• Let a creative team member design themed challenges.

Another small-team example: Burchell, Denson & Morrison. For desk-based teams, see our office fitness challenge ideas. More stories: case studies. Book a demo – YuMuuv works for teams of every size.