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:
Located near Sacramento, California, http://www.baybridgecentral.com [Bay Bridge Fitness] 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: http://www.BayBridgeCentral.com.
CONTACT:
G.L.Jones
530-889-2920
e-mail protected from spam
bots
http://www.BayBridgeFitness.com
# # #
Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/9/prweb154316.htm