How to motivate your employees to exercise

One of the most important aspects of any employee wellness program is fitness. Most employee wellness programs use fitness as a core component to their program. However, some employers find that despite instituting an employee wellness program, it can be difficult to motivate their employees to exercise. Here is what you need to know about how to motivate your employees to exercise-

Many companies have employees that have to stand or sit, for a large number of hours per day. This sedentary lifestyle, coupled with stress, can mean that your employees are facing a number of different medical issues. Studies have also shown that people, who have constant high stress, don't live as long, are less productive while they are at work, and have to take more time off, since they are sick, more often. Exercise can be the key to reducing stress in the workplace, and promoting better overall health. There are numerous companies have put in a variety of fitness options that have helped to give their employees an incentive to exercise. Here are some are of the different ways that they have motivated their employees to exercise-

• Building an on site fitness center-This is perhaps the gold standard in employee wellness. The employees, who work at these companies, can come to work to find complete state of the art gym, that have the latest in exercise equipment. Sometimes employers have even built pools, which allow employees to take advantage of aquatic fitness. Coupled with this employers with this type of fitness center, will also offer dressing rooms and showers, so that employees can come before work, to work out.However, if your company does not have the resources to go this big when it comes to putting in an employee wellness center, even a space with a few bikes, elliptical and some weights, can be used and appreciated by your employees.


• Flex time to work out-One of the biggest complaints from employees who don't work out is that they don't have time to. Employers can help by offering flex time that allows employees to use some of their workday, to get a work out in. Many employers have stopped worrying about keeping employees on the clock, and instead, given them free rein to use their time, as they see fit. This means that as long as the required work gets done, employees can use their time throughout the day, as they see fit. Many employers report that instead of this privilege being abused (which is often the concern); they find that their employees are far more productive, and get their exercise time in, as well. If your company cannot offer an onsite gym, then offering the chance, for employees to come in later, or leave earlier so that they can exercise, can pay off in a big way.


• Offering exercise classes-Many people (especially women); report that they like to work out if there is a class being offered. This can be a cost effective solution, for many employers as offering classes, is much cheaper then installing a full service gym. All it take to offer classes is the appropriate room (many times an empty conference room) will do and hiring a teacher. Many companies are finding that they have a great response by their employees, simply by offering classes of aerobics, zumba, tai chi and yoga.


• Giving out gym memberships-For some companies, it simply is not practical to offer any exercise options on site. This has lead to many businesses offering their employees gym memberships. This is often the only incentive that many people need to get moving. Most gyms will send a report to the employer on a monthly basis so that they can determine if the gym memberships they are using are being utilized.