Git Pushups

Product Introduction

1. Git Pushups is a habit-stacking tool that integrates with developers’ workflows by blocking code commits until daily pushups are completed. It enforces physical exercise through a git hook script that verifies workout completion via a cloud-based verification system.
2. The core value lies in combining coding routines with fitness habits, leveraging existing developer workflows to promote consistent physical activity. It uses behavioral triggers to create accountability, ensuring users prioritize health alongside productivity.

Main Features

1. The product provides a git hook script that checks daily pushup completion by querying a cloud API with the user’s GitHub username and current date. If no pushups are logged, the script blocks git commits with an error message and forces users to complete their workout.
2. Users can track aggregate pushup statistics, including total pushups completed by all developers (e.g., 12,113+ pushups logged) and personal streaks. The service operates via a lightweight, platform-agnostic script compatible with macOS, Linux, and Windows.
3. A Pro version offers advanced features like customizable daily goals, contribution graphs for visualizing streaks, and Apple Health integration for iOS users to sync workouts. Pro subscriptions directly support the free tier’s maintenance and scalability.

Problems Solved

1. It addresses the inconsistency in workout routines by binding exercise to a non-negotiable daily activity: coding. Developers often neglect physical health due to prolonged work sessions, and this tool enforces micro-workouts.
2. The target user group includes software developers, DevOps engineers, and technical professionals who use git daily and seek to integrate fitness into their workflow. It also appeals to remote workers lacking structured exercise schedules.
3. Typical scenarios include preventing code commits after prolonged sedentary periods, supplementing existing gym routines with bodyweight exercises, and fostering team-wide health challenges through shared accountability.

Unique Advantages

1. Unlike generic habit-tracking apps, Git Pushups directly integrates with developer tools, creating a contextual enforcement mechanism. Competitors lack git-native blocking or API-driven workout verification.
2. The product uses the "greasing the groove" technique from sports science, emphasizing frequent, submaximal-effort pushups to build neuromuscular efficiency without fatigue. This method is validated for sustainable habit formation.
3. Competitive advantages include zero setup costs for the free tier, open-source script transparency, and a focus on minimalism. The Pro version’s Apple Health sync and goal-setting features cater to power users without complicating the core experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What happens if I skip pushups for a day? The git hook script returns an error, blocking all code commits until pushups are logged. Users must complete their daily quota or adjust the hook to bypass enforcement temporarily.
2. Why focus on pushups instead of other exercises? Pushups require no equipment, can be done anywhere, and target multiple muscle groups, making them ideal for quick, effective workouts during coding breaks.
3. Is there a way to customize daily goals in the free version? No—daily goal customization is exclusive to the Pro version. Free users follow a default "at least one pushup" rule, while Pro users set targets like 50 pushups/day.