The two scores
Every burst carries two scores. They measure different things and they're designed to be read together but judged differently.
There's a lot of thinking behind those two small labels on every burst card. Our evaluation engine draws on 2,500+ individually assessed activity pairings, 419 reviewed research studies, and a growing pool of real-world data from bursts that have actually been completed.
So, settle in and learn how quality scoring and difficulty rating actually work.
Every burst carries two scores. They measure different things and they're designed to be read together but judged differently.
How well the burst is put together: the sequencing and the logistics. Expressed as a percentage with a label, e.g. Quality: Good [73%]. Higher is always better.
How demanding the burst is likely to feel. A gentle burst and a very difficult one can both have high quality scores. Helps you pick something that matches where you're at. Expressed as a label with a number, e.g. Difficulty: Demanding [5]
There are 120 different ways to sequence 5 activities. With 10, there are 3.6 million. Not all of those orders are equal. The engine evaluates every pair of consecutive activities and rates how well they work together.
Some pairings boost the experience. Stretching after resistance training supports recovery. Creative expression after meditation opens a different kind of focus. The engine knows which pairs lift each other up.
Other pairings create conflict. Intense physical activity right after a mindful eating session, or deep introspection straight after high-energy cardio. The engine flags these so they can be avoided or buffered.
Every possible pairing across all 50+ activities, and, logistic events has been individually rated. Recovery activities after high-intensity ones, shifts between body and mind. These patterns affect whether you finish feeling good or end up calling it early.
Good sequencing isn't enough if the practical stuff falls apart. The logistics assessment checks whether the burst has been timed realistically.
Each activity needs time to get ready and time to wind down. The engine checks whether enough transition time has been built in, or whether you're expected to jump straight from one thing to the next.
Is each activity long enough to be worthwhile but not so long it becomes a grind? A 3-minute meditation is barely worth the setup. A 90-minute one in the middle of a packed burst might be unrealistic.
For longer bursts, are there enough pauses and meal breaks? Stretches of more than 3 hours without a break get flagged. Going more than 4 hours without refuelling affects energy and focus.