Let's Move Iowa
The MoveYourWayIA campaign is a grassroots effort to make Iowa a more active state. You know the benefits and that is why you are here! Help spread the word by making a pledge and challenging others to do the same.
Your first move takes three steps
- Make your pledgeFinish the sentence: “This week, I will get active by…” A walk at lunch, a bike ride, dancing in the kitchen. Pick something real that fits your week.
- Share it with someoneTell a friend, text a coworker or post it. Sharing with one person counts, and posting publicly is up to you.
- Join and log it on GivePulseJoin Move Your Way Iowa, choose your county and record your pledge. If you're new to GivePulse you'll create a free account first. Your county then shows up on the map.
Make your move
Anyone in Iowa can pledge. Your pledge counts toward the county you choose, even if you heard about the campaign somewhere else.
Pledge on GivePulseBring your people
Worksites, schools, clubs and faith communities can invite their members to pledge and host simple activity events.
Get your group involvedOpt your county in
County health and Extension offices can open a county page and get help from AmeriCorps members, students and Ambassadors.
Learn how counties joinStatewide pledge map
Every pledge is counted in the county where it was made. Find your county, then help it climb.
About the Campaign
MoveYourWayIA is an Iowa campaign based on the national Move Your Way® model. Its message is simple: lots of things count as physical activity, and it all adds up. We want moving more to feel doable, welcoming and fun for every Iowan, at every ability and in every corner of the state.
The plan is built from the ground up. Lasting change happens in counties, in the coalitions, partnerships and local leaders that grow there. Counties choose to join. None are required to, and every county is welcome.
Students help power the work. Visit the MoveYourWayISU home page to see our local campus activities.
Enroll Your CampusOrganizations amplify the message. Organizational resources are available to support your effort.
Enroll Your Organization
Start where you are
You don't need a gym, special gear or a big block of time. Movement can happen all through the day, and even 5 minutes has real health benefits: a better mood, sharper focus, less stress and better sleep. Keep four Move Your Way messages in mind:
Any activity beats sitting still.
Housework, gardening, walking the dog, taking the stairs.
A few minutes at a time, all through the day.
So it's easier to stick with.
Here is how much activity the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend.
of moderate activity like brisk walking, plus muscle-strengthening on 2 days a week.
of moderate-to-vigorous activity, including activities that build muscles and bones.
plus muscle-strengthening on 2 days, and activities that improve balance.
Your first week
- Pick something you enjoyWalking the dog, dancing in the kitchen, biking to the store. If you like it, you'll keep doing it.
- Start smallEven 5 or 10 minutes at a time counts toward your weekly total. Build up from there.
- Make a planUse the Move Your Way activity planner to map out your week.
- Make it publicMake a pledge so your county shows up on the map, then challenge a friend, coworker or neighbor to do the same.
Resources
Move Your Way activity planner
A free, simple tool from the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Choose activities, set a schedule, and track your weekly minutes.
Open the plannerMove Your Way
Tips, videos and fact sheets for adults, parents, kids, older adults and during pregnancy.
Visit Move Your WayActive People, Healthy Nation
CDC's national initiative to help 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027, with roles for individuals, organizations and community champions.
See how to get startedSpring into Summer
Iowa's yearly statewide push to get moving. It pairs Move Your Way messaging with the Arthritis Foundation's Walk With Ease program. The 2026 pilot reached 33 counties, and sign-ups for 2027 open in January.
Follow on GivePulseLevel up the movement
Join the movement. Help it grow. Lead it forward. Everyone starts with a pledge, and that's a complete way to take part. When you're ready, you can help others get moving and earn a Champion or Ambassador badge. Students and non-students can earn both.
Mover
“I made my move, shared it, and connected with the movement.”
- Make a pledge: “This week, I will get active by…”
- Share it with at least one person. Private counts.
- Join GivePulse and log your pledge with your county.
Recognition: a welcome from the team. No training, quotas or hours.
Champion
“I help people in my county or campus connect with Move Your Way.”
- Join your county's GivePulse page, or a campus group.
- Invite at least five people to pledge, or have one real conversation with a local organization.
- Log your outreach with a short reflection.
Recognition: verified Champion badge, single teal ring.
Ambassador
“I organize opportunities and help others put active living into action.”
- Hold Champion status and complete a short orientation.
- Plan and run an activity or promotion with at least one other helper or partner.
- Record what happened and what comes next.
Recognition: verified Ambassador badge, double teal and gold ring.
Two tracks, one movement
The badge names where you contributed, not who you are. Earn an Iowa badge for work in a county and an ISU badge for work on campus. If you do separate work in both places, you can earn both.
Iowa track
Help a county grow its movement: invite neighbors, connect local organizations and support county events with AmeriCorps members and local partners.
ISU track
Build an active campus with a residence hall, class, student organization, department or work group. Campus energy feeds the county network.
ISU students: three ways to be a Champion
Reach your home county
Use your own connections to bring friends, family and local groups to your home county's page.
Adopt a county
Get matched with an Iowa county that wants help and support its local partners, wherever you're from.
Build the campus movement
Promote active living with students, faculty and staff through tables, classes and campus groups.
Badge artwork shown is concept design and will be finalized before launch.