Tips for encouraging employees to exercise

A healthy body can be a major contributor to a healthy mind.And a healthy mind is a large contributor to your healthy business.You get it, but your employees might not so how to you get them to understand what you're talking about?Statistics have proven that exercise not only helps your body function better, but it helps you brain function well.It helps with things such as depression and anxiety and can also help reduce stress.Exercise can truly be a healing tool in everyone's life.Here are some tips for encouraging employees to exercise.

Health care costs
No one likes paying high health care costs so you can let your employees know that exercise can lead to lower costs for them and for the company.It is found that companies that have fitness and wellness programs have a fifty five percent cost cut in their health care programs as well.This might be the only thing you need for encouragement; employees should be thrilled that if they get on board with a fitness program it can save them money.

Educate your Employees
The statement "What you don't know won't kill you" couldn't be farther from the truth.What you don't know (about fitness and health) can kill you and it will.There are many dangers to living an unhealthy life such as heart disease or high cholesterol.If those are left undetected and you keep on living your life as you are, it could kill you; literally.Help employees see the benefits of exercise and living a healthy life by offering some educative classes to promote a healthy lifestyle.You might think this stuff is just common sense, but many people don't know the dangers associated with poor nutrition and lack of exercise.

Implement a Fitness and Wellness program
You might find that many of your employees don't have the means to exercise so you can alleviate some of that by helping promote and implement a fitness and wellness program.This may sound like a big task, and yes it will be, but you can ask for the help of your management and other employees in getting started.Find out what people are interested in and what kinds of healthy foods they would eat.Some companies will start competitions between employees to keep track of exercising, and others will simple make the equipment available to them to do on their own time.Another way to implement a fitness and wellness program is to bring in some instructors for aerobics or kickboxing classes.You can do it in the mornings before the work day begins or during a lunch hour.Ask around to see what interests your employees have.Once you have decided on an exercise program (or a few) then you can focus on eating.After all, exercise really is pointless if you're not eating the right foods.

Offer Company incentives
By incentives, I mean INCENTIVES.Make it worth their while if they can make the commitment to exercise.Don't just offer a candy bar for those who make the commitment.Not only does that defeat your healthy living idea, but it's a lousy incentive.Employee's work hard for you everyday so show them that you are willing to make some extra efforts in helping them live healthy and exercise on a regular basis.Here are some ideas:
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• Talk with a health club and see what kinds of discounts they can offer your company and its employees.Make sure you find one that will take the time to develop relationships with employees who aren't ready to make that first step.Employees are more likely to use a service like this if you are chipping in on the bill.


• - Money seems to entice even the ones that really don't want to do it.A slight increase in salary, or perhaps some paid time off for a much needed vacation can encourage employees to take the first step.


• - Prizes can also be way to encourage employees to get their feet wet.Such things as fitness gear, water bottles, free movie tickets, or day spa passes are great incentives to employees

Exercise is a great remedy for just about anything; obesity, smoking, stress, and even depression.If things start out slow, don't give up.Keep encouraging your employees to get out, live healthy, and exercise.