Wellness Program Blog

Participatory physical activity programs ought to include education on benefits of regular exercise and risks of a sedentary lifestyle, its impact on cardiovascular health and diseases, its relationship with weight management and stress management, and aerobic exercise options. Discussion and practice of safe principles of exercise – warm up, cool down, frequency, intensity, duration, flexibility and strength components. The program follows standard procedures by the American College Of Sports Medicine.

Safety precautions ought to include the following:

• Informed consent prior to implementing exercise with clear and complete written and verbal standard procedures of possible risk, purpose of exercise, exercise format to be followed, opportunity for questions, and a signed informed consent with date.
• A screening/assessment of participants to determine if medical care assessment is essential for exercise such as the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q, see forms).
• Measurements of Blood Pressure (BP) and resting heart rate are useful evaluation information to determine exercise readiness.
• Members who fail screening are medically referred and ought to get a written clearance from their physician to exercise.
• The basic content of an aerobic fitness program ought to include:

Warm up    5 – 10 minutes
Aerobic exercise    20 – 40 minutes
Cool down    5 – 10 minutes

Exercise instructors ought to have education and training in exercise physiology, physical education, physical therapy or comparable discipline, or possess a current certification by a nationally recognized sports medicine or exercise association, and be CPR certified.

Many options for implementing a coporate fitness program as part of a corporate wellness program are available, from subsidizing gym memberships to setting up a walking program. There are just as many ways to provide incentives for your employees to participate.

The benefits are obvious – an improved health, alertness, and general well being, resulting in a reduction in the number of injuries, disability claims, and sick days. In effect, a fitness program will help your employees become a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce.

Corporate Fitness Program: First Things First

Ensure that participants are fit enough to safely take part. Take into account the age and body types of the people involved before choosing the elements of your program. As with undertaking any health regimen, a physical exam by a qualified health professional is advised.

There are different styles to consider: Aerobic, Strength, and Agility. A good program will incorporate elements of each.

Corporate Fitness Program: Some Options and Ideas

• If your office building has a lot of stairs or if you are on a lower floor, you might suggest walking up instead of taking the elevator.
• Try a “Walk to Work Day” for employees who live close enough.
• Provide handbooks for employees to find out more about the various options open to them.
• How about a lunch time group walk?
• Bring in a Personal Trainer to help devise a program for the group and/or individuals. They can also be brought in to measure progress.
• Subsidize memberships at a fitness club near the office.
• Group yoga is healthy, therapeutic, and team-building.
• Provide storage for bicycles and other equipment.
• Encourage regular physical activities: sponsor a company team or arrange regular activity nights.
• Allow flexible working hours to let personnel fit in exercise time before or after work.
• Install showers in the office.
• Bring in small exercise equipment that can be used throughout the day.
• Implement the Fitness Challenge, where the goals are to be the Most Improved, rather than to compete with each other.

Corporate Fitness Program: The Physical Activity Challenge

 30 minutes of physical activity three times a week can help set you on the path to improved health. Benefits include better self-esteem, reduced stress, increased relaxation, and slowing the aging process.

Reaching your thirty minutes of physical activity can be easier than you thought. 30 minutes does not have to be “30 consecutive minutes” – a minimum block of five minutes can be counted toward your daily total.

Fast ways to add minutes to your total:

• Park your car farther away from the office.
• Get off the bus a few stops early.
• If you live close enough, walk to work.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
• Organize or join a lunch-time group walk.
• Organize or join a company sports team.
• Exercise while watching TV.
• Walk or bike while doing your errands.
• Go dancing!