Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards determining and using effort such as in a fitness/exercise/gaming environment in a way that is substantially independent of a person's height, weight, age, and gender (HWAG) properties. Effort data is recorded that represents a person's effort exerted with respect to performing at least one physical activity, in which effort data is substantially independent of weight, and possibly other HWAG properties. In one aspect, effort duration is used to allow different people to compete against others and/or against established targets/goals substantially equally, independent of a person's HWAG properties.