At Barrow Leisure Centre, we’re always looking for ways to make fitness more engaging, motivating, and fun. That’s why we’ve partnered with MyZone, a heart rate-based fitness tracker and community engagement platform that’s transforming how people train and stay motivated.
Whether you’re chasing personal goals or eyeing a prize in our Barrow Burn Challenge, here’s everything you need to know about Myzone and why it might be the best training partner you’ve never had.
What is Myzone?
Myzone is a wearable fitness tracker that monitors your heart rate, calories burned, and effort in real time. But what makes it unique is how it rewards effort, not just fitness level. That means whether you’re a beginner or an athlete, your hard work counts the same.
Myzone uses MEPs (Myzone Effort Points) to score your workouts. The more time you spend working at higher heart rate zones, the more points you earn.
A Quick Look at the Myzone Effort Zones:
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Gray (50–59% HR Max): 1 MEP per minute
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Blue (60–69% HR Max): 2 MEPs per minute
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Green (70–79% HR Max): 3 MEPs per minute
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Yellow (80–89% HR Max): 4 MEPs per minute
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Red (90–100% HR Max): 4 MEPs per minute
It’s not just about going harder, it’s about consistency and personal effort.
A Brief History of Myzone
Founded in 2011, MyZone was created to tackle one of the biggest issues in fitness: motivation. By creating a system that gamifies your workouts and brings accountability and community into the mix, MyZone quickly became popular in gyms worldwide. Today, it’s used by millions globally and integrates with fitness clubs, group training, and personal challenges to keep people on track and fired up.
The Barrow Burn Challenge
At Barrow Leisure Centre, we’re turning up the heat with the Barrow Burn Challenge.
The goal: Earn 1300 MEPs during the challenge period.
Why? Because 1300 MEPs is the monthly goal recommended by Myzone for maintaining and improving fitness. It’s the sweet spot of commitment without burnout.
The reward: Hit 1300 MEPs and you’ll be entered to win exciting prizes because your effort should be celebrated.
Whether you train solo or join our group classes, your MEPs add up. The challenge is open to all Myzone users, so everyone has a shot.
How to Join Myzone at Barrow Leisure Centre
There are two easy ways to get started with Myzone:
1. Buy the MZ-Switch Heart Rate Monitor
The MZ-Switch is Myzone’s versatile wearable that can be worn on the chest, arm, or wrist.
Steps to Join:
1. Buy your MZ-Switch at the Barrow Leisure Centre reception or online at Myzone.
- Download the Myzone app (available on iOS and Android).
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Register your belt using the unique code that comes with your device.
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Join Barrow Leisure Centre’s Myzone community (Facility Code: ask at reception).
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Start earning MEPs!
2. Use Open Access Myzone Belts at the Gym
- Download the Myzone App on your phone
- From the App Store or Google Play Store. Create an Account
- Tap Create Account.
- Enter your personal details.
- Use your facility’s Open Access Code (ask staff for this).
- Depending on your membership at the centre you can have free access!
- If you have a health and wellbeing membership you will get free access to MZ Open, just inform a member of staff by giving us your email address to send you the set-up email.
- If you are not part of the of the health and wellbeing membership, there will be a yearly subscription of £20 per year to have MZ Open access.
- Connect Your Smartwatch
- Open the app’s settings.
- Sync with a compatible watch (Apple Watch, Garmin, or Wear OS).
- Ensure permissions are granted for heart rate tracking
- Join the Barrow Leisure Centre Facility
- Search for Barrow Leisure Facility within the app.
- Tap Join to connect and access challenges.
- Join the Challenge
- Go to the Challenges tab.
- Find and join the Burn Challenge.
- Get Moving!
- Your watch and app will track your effort.
- Hit that 1300 MEP goal before June 30th to win!
Not ready to commit? Use MyZone demo belts
If you’re not ready to commit to your own device, you can still join the fun with our Open Access belts.
Steps to Use:
1. Visit reception to sign out an Open Access Myzone belt.
2. Enter your email in the tablet to log in (or create a Myzone profile if you’re new).
3. Wear the belt during your workout, it automatically tracks your heart rate.
4. Return the belt at the end of your session.
5. View your MEPs and workout summary on the Myzone app or emailed report.
This is a great way to try before you buy, and still be part of the challenge!
Why Our Members Love Myzone
Motivating – See your effort live on the screen during classes.
Accountability – Track your weekly MEPs and progress.
Community – Compete, challenge, and cheer each other on.
Personalised – Based on your individual heart rate zones.
Rewarding – Turn workouts into prizes and bragging rights!
Top Tips to Maximise Your MEPs
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Join group classes – effort always increases in a group.
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Mix intensity levels – green and yellow zones add up fast.
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Plan rest days wisely – 1300 MEPs requires about 4–5 consistent sessions per week.
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Use the app to track, challenge friends, and view rankings.
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Set personal goals – not just for MEPs, but for recovery, sleep, and consistency.
Final Thoughts
Myzone isn’t just a fitness tracker, it’s a motivation machine. Whether you want to get healthier, compete for prizes, or just have a clearer picture of your effort, it’s your ultimate workout companion.
So why not take the challenge? Whether you’re wearing your own MZ-Switch or borrowing an Open Access belt, it’s time to burn calories, earn MEPs, and feel the buzz of the Barrow Burn Challenge.
Visit Barrow Leisure Centre reception today to get started, ask questions, or grab your belt.
Let’s get in the zone and crush those 1300 MEPs together!