Working in an office can be an unhealthy thing. We certainly aren’t getting our hearts pumping while we spend all those hours behind our desks. And those long periods of inactivity are bad for us. Most people are too busy at work to take long lunch hours to go the gym. And people have families and social lives. Exercise often gets neglected at home, too.
So why should a company care about that? Because studies show that companies that have workplace wellness programs have more productive workers and lower health costs. Healthy workers mean healthier companies.
KEEP MOVING: OUTDOORS OR INDOORS
Only the largest companies can afford indoor gyms, but there are other options for helping your employees stay active.
Without constructing anything, you can invest in outdoor fitness equipment to set up on your office grounds. You have many options of equipment designed to stretch and strengthen muscles and provide a cardiovascular workout. You can get pull-up stations, stretching stations, elliptical machines, arm presses, leg presses, torso benches, and more.
But you don’t have to ask your employees to go outside to exercise. There’s also workplace wellness equipment for inside the office.
People can work as they exercise using a treadmill desk, which is what it sounds like—a desktop attached to a treadmill. People can take their laptops, phones, and papers, set them up on the desk and get some exercise as they work. Users typically go at slow walking speeds, allowing them to continue working, but even at speeds of only 1-2 mph a person typically can burn 100-150 calories an hour.
Another indoor option is the Workplace Stability Ball. Workers sit on the ball as they work. Because your body is constantly correcting its alignment to keep its balance, the ball improves spinal posture. This constant realignment also keeps your muscles working and your body moving, which strengthens the muscles, burns calories, and improves circulation.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Sedentary office workers aren’t going to be as energetic, happy, and productive as workers in an office with a workplace wellness program. Allowing employees to keep active throughout the workday will also decrease health expenses, including sick days.
It’s time to get on board with push to get America healthy. Look into the options for workplace wellness equipment.