If you have been looking for an online weight loss community, you might be wondering: what happened to spark people? For years, there were loads of benefits of joining sparkpeople.com (often misspelled as sparkspeople.com) for anyone wanting a supportive, free fitness tracker. Unfortunately, the site permanently closed its doors in August 2021, transitioning some features to SparkAmerica. However, the legacy of the sparkpeople weight loss program still offers a perfect blueprint for what to look for in modern, top-rated apps like MyFitnessPal or Lose It!.
Are you fed up with expensive weight loss programs such as NutriSystem, Jenny Craig, or Weight Watchers? The appeal of free programs is stronger than ever. Back in 2015, I just happened to stumble upon Sparkpeople.com. The platform was a comprehensive fitness and nutrition website and right up my frugal alley, because it was completely free. The website was started by "SparkGuy," Chris Downey, who I cannot thank enough for building such a welcoming space.
Upon hitting the spark people login screen and creating a free account, you would get your own "Sparkpage." This profile could contain as much or as little as you wanted people to see and know, such as your real name or screen name, bio, and photos. It introduced an entire ecosystem of features that kept users hooked. To understand what made it so special, we need to look at the features that defined the community. Here is a quick breakdown of what the platform offered compared to today's options:
| SparkPeople Feature | What It Did | Modern Alternative | | --- | --- | --- | | Sparkteams | Niche interest groups | Reddit Fitness Communities | | Sparkrecipes | User-uploaded meals | MyFitnessPal Recipe Importer | | Sparkpeopletv | Free workout videos | YouTube Fitness Channels |
You had access to "Sparkfriends," "Sparkteams," comments, "Sparkgoodies," "SparkAwards," "Sparkblog Titles," "Sparkpoints," "Sparkpeopletv," "Sparkrecipes," and Team Leaders. If those aren't enough benefits, keep reading for more great info on how these features worked and what you should look for in today's fitness apps.
Want more like this? Subscribe for personalized picks.
Successfully subscribed.
Check your inbox for personalized content.
1. Sparkfriends
For Sparkfriends, you could pick whatever members you would like to be your friends, taking part in fitness, fellowship, and fun as you pleased. Having a community leader or supportive peers makes all the difference when sticking to your goals.
2. Sparkteams
For Sparkteams, they covered hundreds of topics, ranging from hobbies to cooking, to exercise, to basically any topic imaginable. Finding a niche group is something you can still replicate today on modern forums.
Want more like this? Subscribe for personalized picks.
Successfully subscribed.
Check your inbox for personalized content.
3. Comments
Comments were little tidbits fellow members would like to share with you, mostly inspirational and motivational, given from day to day. A little digital encouragement goes a long way.
4. Sparkgoodies
As for Sparkgoodies, they were like little presents that you could give to a member. You paid for these with the Sparkpoints that you accumulated from participation from day to day. For example, ten minutes of activity equaled three points. Gamifying your health journey is a powerful psychological tool.
5. SparkAwards
SparkAwards were given to you when you reached certain milestones, such as logging in for seven days straight, or tracking your food or nutrition. Earning badges kept motivation high during challenging weeks.
6. Tracking
As for tracking, you were able to track your fitness and nutrition just like an online weight loss journal. If you want to dive deeper into journaling, check out our guide on how to keep an effective fitness diary.
7. Sparkblog
Just like a real blog, everybody could write their own Sparkblog, which could be about whatever a member wanted, not just fitness and nutrition. It served as a safe space for personal expression.
8. Sparkpeopletv
Sparkpeopletv was a part of the site that was just like your own personal gym, loaded with exercise video after exercise video. Today, you can find similar robust free libraries on YouTube.
9. Sparkrecipes
Sparkrecipes functioned like an online cookbook, where members could upload recipes to share with other members. Sharing nutritional tips is still one of the most effective ways to discover healthy meals.
10. Team Leaders
Members could choose to create their own team and be a team leader or become a team leader of a group in need of a new one. Also, there were co-team leaders, where there might be between two to four leaders at the same time. These individuals acted kind of like a manager for the group.
Believe me, this was the mecca of fitness and nutrition, and thanks to "SparkGuy's" generosity, it was totally free. I am writing this article for you out of my heart to preserve the memory of what made this community so special.
Are you ashamed of yourself and the status of your body and want to take on fitness in privacy? Nobody will see you on your chosen app unless you post a photo. It is entirely up to you how much you share.
Do you need that little kick in the butt to get started today?
Start by downloading a modern tracking app.
Find an online community that shares your specific goals.
Log your food and activity daily to build a sustainable habit.
Give modern alternatives like MyFitnessPal or Lose It! a chance! I bet you will be a convert, just like I was with Sparkpeople.
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge
2018-05-06T06:13:35.284Z