Corporate Fitness

Numerous medical and social studies have revealed the number 1 reason why people in the US do not engage in daily exercise. Can you guess what it is? Not surprisingly, it is a lack of time, and the kicker here is that this isn't just a lame excuse. It is actually a consequence of a decidedly American work ethic that has us spending more time at work than anyone else in the industrialized world.

Workplace wellness is a fairly new practice that’s been gaining popularity in corporate America. The result is a growing familiarity with health promotion in offices and organizations where once it was almost unheard of.

Typically, workplace wellness programs include health education seminars, medical and fitness screenings, weight loss or management challenges and on-site fitness classes or gym installations. Providing an on-site fitness program offers a solution to the lack of time for exercise and, while employees can take advantage of the health benefits from training on-site, they also experience increased job satisfaction as an added bonus.

Active employees are more energetic and productive, display job satisfaction and have reduced chances of developing a chronic diseases.

In fact, according to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, it is a lack of exercise that is the primary cause of most chronic diseases. Based on this information, it stands to reason then that in-house fitness programs are a smart choice for business owners who want to cut expensive healthcare costs while improving company morale.

It is clear that the benefits of having workplace fitness and training programs are numerous. Below is quick list of the reasons why businesses should be taking advantage of this remarkable new health and fitness trend.

• TIME: The number 1 reason why people do not work out is a lack of time, but not working out is also the number 1 reason for chronic illnesses. Obviously people need to make time and personal training in the workplace is an easy solution.
• COST: Healthy employees cost less. A study from the University of Michigan found that employees who were at a high risk for metabolic syndrome but worked out regularly lowered their average healthcare costs to the same level as healthy employees with no risk.  Exercise provides a level of protection that can save both employer and employee from costly healthcare expenses in the long run.
• PRODUCTIVITY: Employees who are healthy and active are much more satisfied in their positions and are more productive as a result.
• EDUCATION: Some trainers have certifications to provide injury protection and rehab to employees which is another way future injuries and expensive treatments can be avoided. It also allows employees to learn proper techniques and exercising methods that they would not learn from working out alone at a gym or at home.

Other Great Benefits of a Personal Trainer that your employees could benefit from:

1. It is Educational: One of the primary reasons that someone should have a Personal Trainer is that they are trained in teaching others how to exercise.
2. Form: Having a Personal Trainer beside you to demonstrate the correct posture and technique is invaluable. A Personal Trainer will ensure clients are performing exercises correctly and efficiently, in order to maximize results.
3. Uniqueness: Trainers Can Help With Your Unique Requirements - Everybody is different, and that means everyone’s abilities and requirements are different when it comes to exercise. This could be anything from having an old injury that requires special exercises to having a phobia that may impact on where or how you workout.
4. Realistic Goals: They Help You Set Realistic Goals - Everyone wants to achieve their goals straight away, whether they be weight loss, cheese grater abs or Hulk-like strength. But these are not always achievable, and if you don’t hit them then you may be discouraged and backslide.
5. Specific Goals: They Can Help With Specific Goals, Such As Training For An Event - As well as helping their clients set realistic goals, Personal Trainers are the perfect tool to help you achieve a specific goal. This is ideal for those who are training for a specific event, or need to achieve a certain level of fitness before they are able to do something they really want.
6. Accountability: They Hold You Accountable - How many times have you gone to bed and said to yourself, "Tomorrow I’m going to wake up, go to the gym, and do an hour workout before I get ready for work", and then woken up and decided to sleep for another hour instead of exercising? This is where a Personal Trainer is critical to ensuring that you commit and stick to your fitness goals.
7. Time: No Wasted Time = Maximum Results
8. More Than Fitness - It is Not Just Fitness They Can Help With - When completing my Certificates in Fitness and Nutrition, I was required to complete many testes in both fields.
9. Mental: They Improve Your Mental Health - It has long been known that physical exercise can help with mental health issues such as depression, and that it is a recommended part of treatment by many medical health professionals. Having a Personal Trainer to help with your exercise plan when you suffer from mental health problems can help with motivation
10. Therapy: They're An Unofficial Therapist - Let's be honest, most of the time when exercising with your Personal Trainer you will be telling them about your week, how work is going, and what’s wrong with your life at the time. This is normal! A Personal Trainer is there to help with your fitness goals, yes, but they’re also there to help improve your overall well-being.
11. Habits: They Help You Form Good Habits - It can take weeks to form good habits, and even longer to break bad ones - and trying to do it on your own is hard work.
12. Personalized: Personalized Training Plan - There are always going to be some exercises that you enjoy more than others, beyond simple capability. For example, just because you can physically do burpees doesn’t mean that you always want to, but you might really like doing squat jumps and sit ups instead.
13. Scheduling: They Fit Into Your Schedule - Regardless of whether the only time you have available to train is at a ridiculously early hour before work, or on your lunch break, or mid-afternoon before the kids come home from school - a Personal Trainer is one of the most versatile professions in terms of hours.
14. Flexibility: Increased Flexibility For Location - Not everyone enjoys the atmosphere of a crowded gym, or having to wait for the machine you want to use to become available. The benefit of having a Personal Trainer is that you aren't limited to working out where equipment is available
15. Challenge: They Challenge You - Are you getting bored with your fitness routine? Have you progressed beyond the exercises you know and have plateaued in your fitness? A Personal Trainer is what you need to take you to the next level, and continuously challenge your abilities.

If a workplace wellness program or on-site personal training is on your to-do list, but you don't know where or how to get started, we can help you by getting your new health initiative off the ground. Contact us today.