Common Myths about the Pulse Program

Myth: The Pulse Program is just a physical activity program.

Fact: There are many other ways to engage in the program outside of physical activity that can still help you be healthy and earn the rewards. You can track sleep, nutrition, browse healthy recipes, view health tips, track your healthy habits and engage in fun healthy habit challenges on topics such as reducing stress, being productive, learning new things, building relationships, contributing to your community and managing finances, or track your blood pressure and weight.

Myth: I don't want to wear an activity tracker so I can't participate in the Pulse Program.

Fact: You don't have to wear an activity tracking device to be a Pulse participant. There are other ways to capture your activity via smartphone or app or you can manually enter in your activity. If you're not interested in tracking your physical activity habits, you can still participate by engaging in the other aspects of the program and earn rewards by doing so.

Myth: I have to log into the Pulse program every day to track my activity.

Fact: You do not need to log in every day to track your activity. Most devices will hold your step information for up to 10-14 days. You can also track any healthy habits, sleep or nutrition info retroactively for the past 14 days.

Myth: The program is overwhelming.

Fact: Good news! The Pulse program homepage has just been simplified based on user feedback so now it's even easier to navigate via the web browser. If you have a smartphone, the free Virgin Pulse mobile app also makes engaging with the Pulse program easy. And, did you know the Wellness at Dartmouth team conducts one on one sessions to help you learn more about the Pulse program and how to use it? Call us at 646-3706 or email us at wellness@dartmouth.edu to set up a time that's convenient for you.

Myth: My personal information is being used for things other than my personal experience in the program.

Fact: Your personal information is used only to personalize the experience you have in the Pulse program. If you chose to be friends with other colleagues and/or spouses in the Pulse program, or if you choose to participate in a campus wide MOVE IT challenge, your friends and/or other challenge participants will be able to see your step activity. The only identifiable data that Dartmouth receives is your name and the amount of any rewards earned and redeemed for the purpose of withdrawing the applicable taxes from your paycheck. Wellness at Dartmouth does receive non-identifiable, aggregate data to help us better understand the well-being needs of our population so we can not only plan future programming but also evaluate our current programming efforts.

Myth: If I have a disability or medical condition (short or long term), I cannot participate in this program.

Fact: Any Pulse participant who may not be physically able to participate due to a disability, medical condition, or some other type of injury, can receive a reasonable alternative so they have access to the same rewards as everyone else. Please contact the Pulse Support Team directly at support@virginpulse.com or 844.394.9646 and ask for the reasonable alternative form.

Myth: This program takes up too much time.

Fact: The Pulse program can take up as much or as little time as you'd like it to. You can engage with it however often makes sense for you. You do not have to log into the program every day to keep track of your activity or habits, instead you can sync and track habits whenever is convenient for you (e.g. once a week). However, the more engaged you are with your tracking, the more likely it will help keep you on track with your well-being goals.

Myth: I can only use my earned incentive dollars for items in the Pulse store.

Fact: You can redeem your incentive rewards as soon as they are earned. In addition to selecting an item in the Pulse store, you can also choose to receive gift cards, Visa cash cards, make a donation to a charity, or you can transfer it directly into a bank account of your choice.

Myth: My Max device broke so I have to buy a new one.

Fact: If your MAX device broke or isn't working properly (not including if you wore it swimming or put it through the laundry, which isn't covered) you can call Pulse support at 844.394.9646 and they can help troubleshoot the issue. The MAX device has a 1-year warranty, so if it's within that window, the Pulse support team will send you a new device if they can't fix it.

Myth: There's no one to help support me or answer my questions.

Fact: The Pulse support team is available at 844.394.9646, Monday-Friday 8 AM-9 PM. There is also a live chat button on your Pulse home page that is available Monday-Friday 2 AM-9 PM EST. You can also check out the support page for answers to frequently asked questions. The Wellness at Dartmouth team is also happy to help answer any questions you may have. Email us at wellness@dartmouth.edu or call us at 603-646-3706.

Myth: It is way too complicated to figure out the reward system.

Fact: The Pulse program is based on points, so you will earn points for any activities you engage in within the Pulse program; the more points you earn, the more rewards you earn. You can view the full list of activities and points on the "How to Earn" page — just hover over the Rewards tab select How to Earn. There is also a bar on the top of your home page (or in the "Program Details" section on the mobile app) that tells you how many points you've earned, which level you're on, how much money you've earned, and how many days you have left to earn. To help simplify the program, the year is broken into quarters (the same as the calendar year quarters) and you have the opportunity to reach 4 Levels and earn up to $100 each quarter. Click here for additional details that may help you understand the rewards more.

Myth: The Pulse program encourages screen time.

Fact: Managing screen time is very important for everyone. Given many people are already on the computer or using their phone, the Pulse program provides an easy way to engage with your health at a place where you may already be. You can engage with the Pulse program in under 5 minutes a day, and you don't even have to log in every day.