I checked out the achievements, and they are mostly strength-focused and pretty daunting for a beginner but possibly too simple for an experienced lifter. The list of achievements should be categorized and fleshed out, with barbell lifts in one category, bodyweight exercises in another category, running in another, swimming in another, kettlebells in another, etc. More levels should be added, too. Video game achievements typically start really easy (10 kills with a particular weapon, for example) and then ramp up quickly. Level one of barbell squatting should be a single barbell squat with any weight! Remember, you're trying to suck people in! For most folks who are entirely new to weightlifting, just walking over to the equipment and starting to use it is an achievement. Your system should validate that feeling and help pull people gradually over the psychological barriers as well as the physical ones.
1RM (one-rep maxes) achievements are not friendly for beginners, by the way, because beginners find it less daunting to push themselves for reps than for one massive lift. It feels safer, and conventional wisdom seems to be that it actually is safer. Also, keep in mind that female users will have a very different perception of, say, a 0.9x bodyweight bench press. Revamp your achievements, and they will become a lot more addictive, and therefore a lot more useful for keeping people working out and keeping people on your site.
We've had a largely positive response to our achievements system thus far but I agree that they aren't necessarily beginner friendly. We do intend on fleshing out the system more to support achievements for a greater variety of exercises (cardio, bodyweight exercises, etc).
1RM (one-rep maxes) achievements are not friendly for beginners, by the way, because beginners find it less daunting to push themselves for reps than for one massive lift. It feels safer, and conventional wisdom seems to be that it actually is safer. Also, keep in mind that female users will have a very different perception of, say, a 0.9x bodyweight bench press. Revamp your achievements, and they will become a lot more addictive, and therefore a lot more useful for keeping people working out and keeping people on your site.