Corporate fitness programs encourage teamwork and improved health.
Companies institute wellness programs to benefit the employee and the corporation. Wellness programs include stress reduction classes, smoking cessation classes and fitness programs. According to the Wellness Council of America, as of 2010, of companies with more than 50 employees, 81 percent have wellness programs. Fitness programs are an investment in the employees in an organization that pays off for the company.
Function
Corporate fitness programs are company-sponsored gym memberships, in-house gyms and group exercise programs, which encourage employees to participate in healthy activities. Companies use these programs to improve the health of the workforce and encourage team building within the organization. Fitness programs also result in savings for the company in health care and increased productivity. Employee morale improvement and reduced absenteeism are the reasons for increased productivity in companies with corporate fitness programs.
Types of Fitness Programs
The advantages of fitness programs depend on the type of program the company institutes. For example, in-house gyms and fitness rooms are a convenient way for employees to work out. Some companies offer discounts on memberships in local gyms to promote fitness and exercise. This helps employees afford a program to get in shape and improve health. The company sometimes offers employees payroll deductions to pay for the programs.
Identification of Advantages
The advantages for employees are improved health, increased energy and prevention of diseases and conditions. The benefits to employees are visible and easily identifiable as health improves. Weight reduction for obese employees results in improved health and reduction of the need for some medications.
Corporations identify if fitness programs are providing advantages by monitoring production rates after the programs are instituted. The company should also study the participation level in relation to increased production and company morale.
Significance for Employers
The President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition reports that the benefits to employers with physical fitness programs include less absenteeism, reduced health insurance claims, fewer workplace injuries and improved morale. Employers with formal fitness programs can experience financial benefits such as increased productivity and cost savings, according to the American Council on Exercise.
Considerations
Corporations should evaluate the safety of fitness programs to ensure the well-being of employees. Some organizations require a fitness screening before employees can sign up for an exercise program. Exercise programs should have a variety of exercise classes available for employees at all fitness levels, from beginners to advanced exercisers.
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