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Small Corporations Need Healthy Employees Too - September 1, 2004
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Small Corporations Need Healthy Employees Too
More Corporations determined to get a handle on health insurance costs
tackle the issue head on, at the front door, by providing
health-fitness programs to their workforce. What about smaller
companies with limited budgets?
Sacramento, CA (PRWEB) September 1, 2004 -- Large companies providing
corporate fitness programs still report positive outcomes across the
U.S. such as Motorola, Travelers, Coors Brewing, and General Mills
with 150-650% ROIs. So where are opportunities for small-to-medium
Corporations who need to lower healthcare costs?
Many businesses do not have funds for long-term contract organizations
providing employee wellness-fitness programs. Spare buildings for
onsite gyms are not necessarily "handy" for every company either.
Gwenn Jones, manager of Bay Bridge Fitness in California, suggests
numerous low-cost options for small-to-medium companies to consider
for starting corporate wellness:
1) Small, neighboring businesses could develop co-op space with
shared costs, and pull in a qualified fitness trainer once a week or
once a month. (Insurance liability issues need to be reviewed.)
2) Some local health clubs who offer corporate-employee discounts
now partner with major health insurance providers. Those providers
have even included 8 or 10 free personal training sessions. This is a
key incentive since often new participants, who are coach-less, quit
their fitness and nutrition program within the first three weeks.
3) A good start is some education and awareness literature – this
is a minimal cost. One Alabama-based company, Oakstone Wellness,
publishes useful health literature that is realistic and simple.
4) Often trainers or fitness program coordinators will reduce their
rates just to promote a fitness program, and ensure employees work out
safely and effectively. This aids their progression and education,
induces adherence, and shows management participation and support. (A
seasoned trainer realizes the benefits of that belt notch.)
5) Invite a speaker in to address a topic-of-the-month like,
"Heart-healthy eating." Develop and promote an appropriate title
giving employees motivation to attend, for example: "Heart-healthy
eating and how it conquers weight gain." In addition, never have a
speaker who passes out nothing. Ensure there is a relative article,
some statistics, or a newsletter, with contact info included for
employees to take away. Something informal is best.
6) Certified fitness trainers can also come in for a blood-pressure
fair – which involves a simple setup in a conference room. Most
employees are unaware of their own blood pressure and how it increases
with weight gain.
7) How about a workout floor with a video tape library of exercise
tapes for cardio and strength workouts? Add a dumbbell rack and some
floor mats. This is all minimal expense.
8) A December 27, 2002 article from the St. Louis Business Journal
offers several other economical ideas on utilizing community health
resources (entitled: Fitness in the workplace boosts productivity,
morale).
The foremost strategies for a winning fitness program are known:
Management support, employee participation, good program design and
follow-up evaluations. Smaller corporations are capable of this
commitment starting with one of the above suggestions.
Employee-investing has become sound policy for Corporations in regard
to attractive employee benefits, increased profits, and employee
retention. Reducing the risks of developing conditions such as
diabetes, stroke or cardiac disease associated with overweight is just
smart practice.
"All businesses small or large need a healthier workforce and the
majority of employees are showing enthusiasm for reliable health
guidance. Shore up the front door instead of layering on costly
bandages later. It pays to ask around in the health-fitness industry –
get on the phone, the internet, read articles, ask associates," Jones
says. "The responses might surprise you."
About Bay Bridge Fitness:
Bay Bridge Fitness, located near Sacramento, California, is run by
experts certified by the American Council on Exercise. With over 20
years in the fitness industry including Corporate, group, and private
training, Bay Bridge continues efforts to build more wellness in the
workplace. For information call: (530) 889-2920, or visit:
www.BayBridgeCentral.com.
CONTACT:
G.L.Jones
530-889-2920
http://www.BayBridgeFitness.com
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