Introducing Streak Tracking

A Brief History

An early pre-release version of Rubber Bands actually included a streak tracker. However, it was removed before launch. Why?

I felt that for many people, traditional streaks can actually harm long-term compliance. When a streak becomes the primary goal, missing a single day due to illness, travel, or life just getting in the way can be demotivating. It can lead to an "avoidance effect" where breaking a streak feels like failing, causing users to stop working out entirely. If you have ever really gotten into streak tracking, you know how this can feel.

Fitness is a lifelong journey, not a house of cards that falls over if you miss one day.

Why I Brought It Back

Despite the downsides, there is undeniable power in visualizing your consistency. Seeing a chain of success can be a massive motivator and helps build the habit of showing up.

I re-added streak tracking because it can be a powerful tool in motivation and habit-building. Importantly, for those who prefer to work out without gamification, the feature is optional and can be turned off in settings.

I also tried to keep it from being a focal point; you won't get a confetti cannon for every workout you increase your streak, and the streak counter is very minimalist.

Smarter Streaks

The new streak feature is designed to work with your life, not against it.

Instead of demanding you workout every single day to keep a streak alive, Rubber Bands uses your Weekly Schedule to calculate your streak.

• Rest Days Don't Break Streaks: If you don't schedule a workout for Wednesday, you aren't penalized for resting on Wednesday. Your streak continues as long as you stick to your plan.
• Flexible Consistency: This allows you to build a streak based on your definition of consistency, whether that's working out 3 days a week or 6.
• Schedule Changes: If you switch from Monday/Tuesday/Thursday to Tuesday / Thursday, Rubber Bands preserve your streak. Just be sure to work out on the day you have a workout schedule, and your streak will continue.

Visualizing Effort: The Heatmap

Alongside the streak counter, I've introduced a Workout Heatmap.

This is a visual representation of your entire year in fitness. Each square represents a day, and the color intensity (glowing orange!) reflects your workout volume for that day.

• See the Big Picture: It allows you to look back and see months of hard work at a glance.
• Spot Trends: Easily identify your most active periods and visualize your dedication over the long haul.

Pair It With The Free "Habit Starter"

The New Year is here, and many people will be looking to get into a fitness routine. The Habit Starter workout is free and pairs well with streak tracking. This routine was designed to be a minimalist full-body workout and was built with feedback from Resistance Band Reddit

I hope these new tools help you build a resilient, long-term workout habit. Happy New Year!