There is a value to being physically fit and in good health for every individual. Being physically fit and in good health is one of the best preventatives for many types of health problems from heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. One of the better outcomes is improvement in a quality of lifestyle. Depending on circumstances, being physically fit may not add to the quantity of life but it does assist in the quality of life.
There has been a lot of research on the advantages of physical fitness and good health for individuals. What has not been publicized as much is the benefits in a business or corporation. How can physical fitness and good health be a benefit of a business is one question that the CEO’s of a business might ask if he or she is approached by a corporate fitness person? There have been numerous results from companies that have initiated a fitness program for their business. The studies on the benefits of a physical fitness program range in size of a company with 10 employees to 10,000 employees. All the studies have shown that a program designed for improving health and fitness for employees have had positive results.
The programs are more than adding a weight room and a couple of treadmills for the workers. Most programs are more inclusive and lean toward total wellness. Physical fitness is but one aspect of the program. Added programs include a “stop smoking” incentive, alcoholism help, nutrition and weight control programs, stress management, diabetes information, and cardiac rehabilitation.
The CEO usually asks the first question of, “How much is this going to cost?” Depending on the size of the company, the number of employees, how inclusive the program will be and is the CEO willing to fund the initial cost all factor in to an answer. What research has shown is that the initial cost is more than made up in cost production after a very short time. The fact that chronic disease accounts for 75-85% of health care costs in the United States is countered by the fact that 80-90% of these chronic diseases are preventable, and some can be reversed. The point that a large percentage of chronic diseases can be prevented or reversed is where a wellness program for a company can be of benefit.
What the results of wellness programs for a company has shown falls in numerous categories. One of the first benefits is that since employees have improved fitness, and in better health, the number of sick days are reduced. With a reduction of sick days, the company will see their health premiums go down and money is saved. One large company of 10,000 employees found a savings of more than $7,000,000 a year in worker replacement costs. With fewer sick days, worker production improved and again the result was better profits.
Two of the most costly chronic diseases that a company has to pay for in health premiums come from employees that smoke and are obese. These two health issues have been found to be a majority of causes for sick days. There are some companies that offer monetary incentives to stop smoking and/or lose weight. There were several companies that increased the health premiums on employees that smoked, or were obese, since they were the ones that used the insurance most frequently. I am not sure how the company avoided discrimination suits, but they thought that it was not fair for the healthy employees to pay high premiums for the unhealthy employees.
There are some programs where the company or the health insurance program will pay for a membership to a gym, and a personal trainer. This is a step in the right direction. The problem I have seen with this is that “going to the gym” outside of working hours has too many employees not taking advantage of the opportunity. If the fitness facility is within the building where the employees work, and they get an hour off from the eight hour day to use the gym, the chances of them taking advantage of the program is increased. There have been several studies that have shown that even working seven hours, instead of the eight, if the employee is in better health and physically fit, the work production is not changed. I have heard that some business owners at large corporations are finding that a prospect for hire now has the perspective employee asking, “What type of fitness facility does the company have?” With fewer sick days, lower health premiums, better production, and better attitudes from employees, these facts all seem to be the positive part of a fitness program for the CEO.
Many universities are now offering a major in corporate fitness to help fill the void of qualified personnel to run a wellness program. The major in corporate fitness has classes in stop smoking programs, weight loss and nutrition classes, stress management classes, weight training, cardiovascular fitness, cardiac rehab, diabetes awareness, joint rehabilitation from replacements or injuries, and classes in yoga, aerobics and maybe even tai chi, to mention a few. Fitness pays dividends, whether at home, or in the work place.
