A Chinese technology company has come up with a unique way to encourage fitness among its staff, by paying them money to lose weight. Shenzhen-based Arashi Vision Inc., better known as Insta360, has launched its annual “Million Yuan Weight Loss Challenge,” which is quickly grabbing global attention.

The idea is simple: employees who sign up for the program earn 500 yuan (around ₹6,100) for every half a kilo they lose. The initiative, which began in 2022, is part of the company’s workplace wellness plan to motivate staff to stay fit and healthy.

This year, the highlight of the challenge was Xie Yaqi, a Gen-Z employee who lost more than 20 kilos in just 90 days. Her hard work and discipline earned her 20,000 yuan (₹2.47 lakh). Xie followed a strict diet, exercised for one and a half hours daily, and stayed consistent. She even shared her journey with colleagues, promoting the “Qin Hao weight loss method,” a rotating diet plan made popular by actor Qin Hao, who once lost 10 kilos in 15 days.

The competition has already become popular within the company. Last year, 99 employees lost a total of 950 kilos and shared a prize pool of one million yuan. Since the start, Insta360 has handed out nearly two million yuan (₹2.47 crore) in rewards to its employees.

However, there is also a twist to the challenge. If participants regain the lost weight, they face a penalty of 800 yuan (₹9,800) for every 0.5 kilo gained. So far, no one has had to pay a fine.

A company representative said the goal is not just weight loss but encouraging staff to adopt healthier lifestyles. “Through this challenge, we want employees to value their health and live more actively, which in turn brings more energy to their work,” the spokesperson explained.

The program also supports China’s larger “Weight Management Year” campaign launched in 2024 to fight the country’s growing obesity problem.