Employers Beginning to Reap Benefits of Corporate Fitness Programs, National Business Group on Health Poll Finds
WASHINGTON, DC. (June 30, 2004) ? Corporate America's investments in fitness programs for workers are beginning to pay some dividends, according to a poll of large employers released this week at a major national conference on obesity.The poll, conducted by the National Business Group on Health, found that more than half (56 percent) of the companies reported increased morale among their workforce as a result of their fitness programs and initiatives.
More than one out of four (27 percent) said their fitness initiatives resulted in savings in their health care costs.
About two out of ten experienced increased worker productivity and decreased absenteeism.
The results, based on responses from 84 large U.S.
employers, were released at the 2nd Annual Leadership Summit on Obesity, sponsored by the Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity."More and more employers are seeing the value of helping their workers become and stay fit and trim," said Helen Darling, president of the National Business Group on Health.
"Over the past few years, we have seen a growing number of companies implementing various fitness programs aimed at helping workers lose weight, eat healthy and create an overall healthy lifestyle."Most Prevalent Fitness Initiatives Employers OfferType of Fitness Initiative???Percent of EmployersOn-site Fitness Center???77 %On-site Fitness Programs???69 %Sponsored Fitness Programs???67%Informational Material on Local Programs???60 %Web-based Tools for Tracking and Information ???38%The survey was developed by Joyce Young, M.D, Regional Director of Well-being, at IBM.
IBM is one of the nation's earliest leaders in corporate America's movement to ensure the health and productivity of their workers and the health and well-being of their families through comprehensive wellness programs."Obesity costs U.S. employers more than $13 billion annually and it also adversely affects the quality of life and health of their workers," says LuAnn Heinen, Director of the Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity, which one year ago launched a major campaign involving dozens of large employers to develop strategies to combat obesity in the workplace.
"A major part of our effort is to look at the role of fitness programs in helping to foster a healthier workplace and a healthier employee."One of the biggest challenges facing companies, though, is getting more workers to take advantage of their fitness programs, said Ms.
Darling.
Indeed, about two-thirds of the companies reported that fewer than 25 percent of their workers participate in their fitness programs.
Three out of ten reported between 25 and 50 percent of workers participate, while only two percent said more than half of their workforce takes advantage of these programs.Among the other findings from the poll include:????Sixty-one percent of employers require employees to share some of the cost of their fitness initiatives.
Twenty-seven percent fund the programs entirely while the remaining respondents require workers to pay the entire cost of the programs.????Most companies (84 percent) promote their fitness initiatives on their company intranet.
About seven out of ten also use posters, flyers and e-mail to promote their programs.
About the National Business Group on HealthThe National Business Group on Health, representing 214 large employers, is the nation's only non-profit organization devoted exclusively to finding innovative and forward-thinking solutions to large employers' most important health care and related benefits issues.
The Business Group identifies and shares best practices in health benefits, disability, health and productivity, related paid time off and work/life balance issues.
Business Group members, primarily Fortune 500 and large public sector employers, provide health coverage for more than 45 million U.S. workers, retirees and their families.
About the Institute on the Costs and Health Effects of ObesityFounded in June 2003, the Institute works with large employers to develop practical and cost-effective solutions to reduce the health and cost impact of overweight and obesity on workers and their families.
The Institute's national obesity initiative spurs employers to network with other corporations to raise awareness about the health care cost consequences of obesity, identify and test solutions that have a positive return on investment, and leverage health plans and vendors to implement solutions.This press release was distributed through eMediawire by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www.HRmarketer.com) on behalf of the company listed above..
Physical Fitness - Is Your Workout Missing Something?
Copyright 2005 Hiking along a rocky trail, two of the three friends carefully picked their way from rock to rock. But one leaped from rock to rock, bounding by the others like a gazelle running and leaping from rock to rock. Never missing his footing, the others wondered at his almost supernatural grace and skill. "How does he do that?" they thought.When most people think of physical fitness, they think of strength and cardiovascular fitness. If they are really thinking about it, they'll add flexibility to the list.But there's something few people think about when working out, a missing component of physical fitness.
You can't get it just by lifting weights or running on a treadmill.The missing component is agility.Agility is what let my friend run rings around us, leaping from rock to rock along the Pedernales River in Texas. Agility is what you see in top athletes who make great skill look effortless. Agility is what helps a ballet dancer make it look effortless. Agility is...
Physical Fitness - Is Your Workout Missing Something?
Fitness > Physical Fitness - Is Your Workout Missing Something?
Getting Your Family Into Fitness
Getting and staying in shape is important for you - but your workouts may be more important for your family. The reason: your family is inexorably drawn to follow your fitness example - for good or bad. How you manage your personal fitness and nutrition has a ripple effect that spreads across your entire family.
Your "personal ripple effect" may be one of the most powerful forces shaping your family's mental and physical future. Consider the following:
We are products of our environment. We gravitate toward what we are repeatedly exposed to.
It's a simple matter of repetition. The more we see, hear, use, or eat something the more it becomes ingrained in our psyche. In fact, social scientists believe environmental repetition may have an effect on gene expression and can literally change your biochemistry.
The power of suggestion is strong. The power of repeated suggestion is practically unstoppable. So if you're making poor fitness and...
Fitness > Getting Your Family Into Fitness
Kid Fitness Programs
Kids' fitness is a major concern today with several kids becoming overweight or even obese by the time they reach their teenage years. Over 40% of the kids in the US are believed to be overweight. Even though obesity is often believed to be because of genetic factors or because of over-eating, lack of proper exercise is also a major reason for obesity among children. There is an imbalance between activity and diet that causes even children who eat normally to put on excessive weight. Obesity is determined by calculating the body mass index, which is the ratio between the height and the weight.
A BMI between 17 and 23 is considered healthy. Anything higher than this is considered to be obesity.
These days, there are special fitness programs exclusively for kids. These include exercises, healthy nutritional plans, and even emotional strengthening. Kids' fitness programs are designed to be a lot of fun.
They are also designed based on their age.
Kid Fitness Programs
Fitness > Kid Fitness Programs
Seventh Canadian FastFit 30 Minute Fitness For Men Franchise Sold
(ContentDesk) November 9, 2005 -- Mark Reynolds, President of Fastfit International Inc., is very pleased to have Frank and Lenka Tucci as our latest FastFit 30 Minute Fitness For Men franchisee's. "Frank and Lenka Tucci have a passion for healthy living and they bring this enthusiasm to the club. We expect their clubs to be the premier mens fitness facilities in their respective areas."Frank Tucci is extremely happy to be associated with Fastfit International Inc. in their growth phase. "I investigated a number of business opportunites and determined that FastFit 30 Minute Fitness For Men is the best mens fitness franchise available."The FastFit System incorporates premium strength equipment with state of the art cardio equipment to provide the most effective 30 minute workout.
This premium 30 minte fitness system, specifically designed for men, is the latest development in physical fitness programs for men of all shapes, sizes and conditioning.Fastfit International Inc. is the...
Seventh Canadian FastFit 30 Minute Fitness For Men Franchise Sold
Fitness > Seventh Canadian FastFit 30 Minute Fitness For Men Franchise Sold
Fastfit 30 Minute Fitness For Men Raises Money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada
(ContentDesk) July 27, 2006 -- Fastfit 30 Minute Fitness For Men recognizes the important work of the Health & Stroke Foundation in Canada. In conjunction with our ongoing commitment to increasing men's awareness of health issues, our company supported the local clubs with a variety of events. The company assisted with an independent fundraising event at the Hamilton club. This fundraiser solicited money from members and non members through fitness competitions and a BBQ lunch. The Newmarket club, with 25 members as volunteers, participated in the Big Bike ride in May, raising over $1,500 through member donations.Karin Allan, President of York Fitness Professionals Inc., was overwhelmed by her members' support.
Karin stated "Our guys were happy to solicit donations for the Heart & Stroke Foundation and were competing with each other for the largest total." This competition allowed the Newmarket Fastfit 30 Minute Fitness For Men club to contribute significantly more money then...
Fastfit 30 Minute Fitness For Men Raises Money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada
Fitness > Fastfit 30 Minute Fitness For Men Raises Money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada