How To Set Up Employee Fitness Program

Fitness at the workplace is an innovative concept that is slowing gaining importance. Billions of dollars are lost by American companies annually because of employee absenteeism due to health related complications. Apart from being absent from work, physically unfit employees are more stressed-out resulting in decreased productivity.

There are several benefits of physical fitness programs for employees. Some of these include better attitude towards work, more energy, lower absenteeism, and improved health, reduction in number of injuries, better productivity and better relationships at work.

Fitness programs for employees should be designed depending on the age and body types of people. People under similar age group can be divided into groups, and fitness programs can be designed for these groups. However, any type of fitness program should be suggested by a qualified and certified physical trainer only after a physical examination by a qualified health professional. A proper designed fitness program requires just 20-30 minutes per day and three times a week for an effective aerobic activity.

While designing a fitness program for employees, management should always have the intention of providing encouragement and support to employees. Support can be in the form of setting up an on-site gym facility, providing funds for purchasing fitness equipments, organize fitness schedules for employees in coordination with a physical trainer and provide incentives to employees.

After initiating the fitness program, the next step is building a team of motivated and interested employees who are enthusiastic and committed. The fitness team is required to promote fitness in the rest of the company. Apart from creating a fitness center in the premises, the fitness team should also be responsible for coordinating all the activities of the fitness center like organizing group activities, arranging aerobic and stretch classes, yoga classrooms and team competitions. In case of budget constraints, fitness teams can also work with the fitness consultant in creating a less expensive fitness options by using available resources like local parks, bicycle paths or roller rinks.