Wellness Program Blog

Benefits of Fitness Initiatives

 

Exercise reduces weight, lowers risks of heart attack and stroke, helps to control blood pressure and diabetes, and improves mood. Studies increasingly show that exercise may also help reduce the occurrence of certain types of cancer. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently documented another major advantage: exercise improves the health of the nation’s medical care expenditures.3 According to the CDC, physically active individuals incur $865 less per year in medical costs than inactive individuals.

 

Dr. Michael Moore, vice president and chief medical director at Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, maintains that exercise is the most effective tool in health maintenance. “If you could prescribe exercise in a pill, it would be the number-one prescribed treatment in the world,” he said. In step with Dr. Moore’s prescription, nearly one-third of U.S. companyes help staff members pay for gym memberships, according to an Associated Press report. Subsidizing gym memberships is just one way businesses promote active lifestyles.

 

Popular Fitness Initiatives:

 

1. Allow access to on- and off- worksite gyms and recreational activities before, during, and after work hours.
2. Offer and promote participation in after work recreation or leagues.
3. Offer cash incentives or decreased insurance costs for participation in physical activity and/or weight management or maintenance activities.
4. Offer shower and/or changing facilities onsite.
5. Offer outdoor exercise areas such as fields and trails for worker use.
6. Offer bicycle racks in safe, convenient, and accessible locations.
7. Offer onsite fitness opportunities, such as group classes or personal training.
8. Offer an onsite exercise facility.
9. Create initiatives that have strong social support systems and incentives, such as:
10. • Buddy or team physical activity goals
11. • Initiatives that involve workers and family
12. • Initiatives to promote physical activity, such as pedometer walking challenges
13. • Explore discounted or subsidized memberships at local health clubs, recreation centers, or YMCAs
14. Offer flexible work hours to allow for physical activity during the day.
15. Support physical activity breaks during the workday, such as stretching or walking.
16. Host walk-and-talk meetings.
17. Map out onsite trails or nearby walking routes and destinations.
18. Have staff members map out their own biking or walking route to and from work.
19. Post motivational signs at elevators and escalators to promote stair usage.
20. Offer exercise/physical fitness messages and information to staff members.
21. Offer or support recreation leagues and other physical activity events onsite or in the community.
22. Begin worker activity clubs such as walking or bicycling clubs.
23. Offer onsite child care facilities to facilitate physical activity.
24. Sponsor a bike to work day and reward staff members who participate.
25. Create a box and solicit fitness and health tips.