Business Fitness Programs – A Merger

Business fitness sounds like buzz words, but it has become an valuable concept in the work place. Workers in the company world are willing to work long and hard hours.

In exchange they expect the company to be willing to make accommodations. A company fitness plan is a all-inclusive program that mergers company and employee health needs.

Taking Stock

Companies have a social responsibility. They take care of the environment, donate money to worthy causes and take part in school programs. But for many employers, the social awareness begins with their very own workers.

The workers who are fit make better workers. Studies have shown that up to 75 percent of illness is related to lifestyle. So for a company physical activity program to work it must teach workers fitness as a all-inclusive lifelong plan. Since we spend at least 1/3 of our day at work, it only makes sense to make fitness available at the workplace.

• Screen for problems that could drive to big health problems in the future, such as Blood Pressure (BP) and glucose levels
• Train workers on diet
• Examine stress levels as a function of work
• Make exercise equipment or classes available
• Make adequate time for involvement in fitness programs
• Provide disease avoidance programs such as immunization
• Provide incentive programs for program participation

On A Mission

There are many ways a company can implement a company fitness plan. A professional company can be hired to write a complete fitness plan. Or a professional can advocate a company implement a plan the company developed. The professional assistance can be internet based, at the workplace, or at a fitness center.

When a professional fitness company is hired, workers are assessed based on their workload. Individual exercise plans are put into place and progress is monitored. Some employers hire a fitness professional to work directly with workers on an ongoing basis at the workplace.

Other employers pay for the services of a trainer at the nearest fitness center. To read what personal fitness can do for your company visit this page.

There are many options a company can choose from. Companies often establish fitness plans that comprise of employee families. By way of example, if the company purchased a company gym membership, families of workers are given use of the facilities also.

This promotes family unity in addition to fitness. Some employers pay for fitness plans in their entirety. Others only pay part and the employee pays the balance. There are elaborate plans that offer classes and group exercises and seminars. There are simpler plans that offer access to basic fitness facilities.

But no matter what form the company fitness plan takes, as a minimum, the program will instruct on nutrition and supply opportunity for exercises that tone, strengthen and improve flexibility. A company that takes care of its workers finds that the workers will take care of the company.

An accident or injury will not “sell” the program and may end up costing the company. This section will assist you in taking the necessary steps to avoid an accident or injury.

Points to Consider

Hiring Certified Professionals

Hire professionally certified instructors to lead fitness classes (whether on or offsite) or to run workplace lunch and learn sessions.  It’s also prudent to ask the instructor for references.

When you hire instructors, make sure that your insurance protects both the instructor and your company.

Risk Management

Whether we like it or not, liability is a problem these days.

Risk management plans need not be complicated or expensive. By way of example, part of the plan may require that workers complete fitness appraisals and sign statements accepting the possible risks involved in physical exercise. It pays to be prepared. Safety and emergency policies and procedures decrease the risk of loss both to individuals and to your company.

Ask workers to sign a waiver when participating in both worksite and offsite activities. For liability reasons, workers must be aware of the risks involved in participating in the exercise and know that they are waiving their right to sue.

The employee ought to not be asked to sign the waiver just before the exercise. The waiver may be invalid if workers state that they didn’t totally know the risks.

Other Safety Tips

Here’s a list of some other safety tips to keep in mind when organizing physical exercise.

Look at the environment where workers are active:

• Sidewalks ought to be clear of ice and snow, away from falling debris or snow, and have clearly marked curbs and safe crosswalks.
• Stairwells ought to be well-lit and in great condition and have handrails and safety features, so that workers are not locked out of floors.
• Fitness facilities ought to have proper flooring, great ventilation, and access to water and an emergency phone.

Provide medical evaluation for workers participating in activities:

• PAR-Q
• PAR-MEDX for Pregnancy

Below are some other valuable safety factors:

• First-aid kit and automated external defibrillator on site.
• Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place and practised.
• Commercial grade fitness equipment (not donated, “hand me down” equipment).
• Documented equipment inspection and maintenance schedule.
• Orientation of equipment and programs done by certified professional with a physical exercise background.

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!

Free Wellness Program: Move For Life

Physical Activity in the Workplace

What’s the bottom line to a healthier lifestyle?

The major causes of premature death and disability among workers are heart disease, cancer, strokes and injuries. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that physical inactivity contributes to up to 23 percent of all deaths from major chronic diseases. Few Americans engage in the regular and sustained physical activity that is needed to reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and other health problems which lead to premature death or disability.

When employees choose a sedentary lifestyle, they affect their company’s bottom line. The costs of sedentary lifestyles include higher health care costs, more absenteeism and less productivity. Another recent CDC study found that people who are inactive incurred annual direct medical costs that are $330 more than the costs for those who are physically active.

The New York State Health Department’s MOVE FOR LIFE! program recognizes that employee well-being is a must for good business. With just 30 minutes of moderate activity on five or more days a week, individuals can begin to enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. People don’t have to jog or go to a gym to be more active. Simple, everyday activities such as walking, doing yard work and climbing the stairs contribute to a physically active lifestyle. Move for Life! is for everyone. Simple modifications to the program will enable employees with physical disabilities to fully participate in Move for Life!

How MOVE FOR LIFE! can help

MOVE FOR LIFE! is invaluable to anyone who is responsible for employee health programs; anyone who wants to persuade his or her employer or union that promotion of healthy lifestyles is worthwhile; and anyone who wants to improve or enhance an existing employee wellness program. Move for Life! is an 8- to 10-week program designed to help employees of all physical abilities, regardless of age, current fitness level or activity level. One of the keys of Move for Life! is its flexibility. It can be made longer or shorter and scheduled to fit the company’s schedule. Move for Life! recognizes that all employees are not at the same level of fitness, nor do they have the same interest in being active. Move for Life! allows participants to set their own personal goals, ranging from moderate activities, like walking or doing yard work, to more intense ones, like running and swimming. Then they record their daily activities and begin tracking their progress. Everyone can be successful with MOVE FOR LIFE!

Wellness Program Benefits to the company

With the MOVE FOR LIFE! employee wellness program, you will contribute to the overall health and well-being of your employees, their families and the community, and better contain your company’s health care costs, while protecting your greatest asset ­ your employees. In recent years, much research has been conducted to assess the promotion of healthy lifestyles in the workplace and its benefits to the company. The benefits reported in these studies include:

• Reduced health care costs
• Reduced illness and injuries
• Reduced absenteeism
• Enhanced recruitment and retention of healthy employees
• Improved employee relations and morale

Wellness Program Benefits to employees

In 1996, the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health stated that a sedentary lifestyle is a dangerous risk factor for disease. The good news is that even moderate levels of physical activity for people of all physical abilities will significantly reduce the risk of such chronic health problems as heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

Among other benefits to individuals are:

• Weight reduction
• Reduced tension and feelings of stress
• Improved well-being
• Enhanced self-image and self-esteem
• Improved physical function

What you can do

MOVE FOR LIFE! is free and available online!

www.Move4Life.org

• Register your program
• Report your success Online
• Organizations, worksites, schools and individuals have easy access to all the tools needed for a successful program.