Thriving and Surviving: Why workplace fitness initiatives need a makeover

Most companies today have some way of promoting physical fitness in the office. Some companies offer discounts on gym membership, hold yoga workshops, put healthy foods in vending machines, and some even offer an office gym.

Physical fitness of employees is a very important initiative, and while it is implemented in many places, most people don’t understand how to do it well. A 2023 survey by Statista found that only a quarter of employees feel like their organization cares about their wellbeing. There needs to be more discussion on why these initiatives are in place, and whether they are fulfilling their purpose.

In this article, we will first take a deep dive into the history of fitness initiatives in the workplace, and see how they have evolved over the years. Finally, we will look at how modern fitness programs can be tailored to fit the needs of the current generation. Let’s start!

Where it all started: Workplace health in the 80s and 90s

Pullman Athletic Association

Back in the 1980s, workplace wellness as such was not a concern; managers were mostly trying to make sure that employees didn’t get injured at work. The Pullman company was the first one to take any step in the direction of physical health of employees, apart from just safety. It was basically a fitness center in a gated town they had created to promote their products.

Later, other companies also added gyms and workout spaces in their offices. A software and consulting company called National Cash Register not only added a gym, but also added lunch and snack breaks to the work day.

Healthcare costs model

In the 20^th century, the idea behind fitness programs was that if employee health is taken care of, they will fall sick less often, so the company wouldn’t lose out on health insurance premiums. There was some research on employee fitness programs, but it was nothing like the vast body of literature we have today.

Back then, it was mostly exploratory research, cautiously approaching the concept of fitness in the workplace- mostly questioning whether such programs were actually beneficial. Slowly, the benefits were discovered and confirmed, and it gave birth to new trends in the field of workplace fitness.

Modern day initiatives

Cut to today, we have companies inviting yoga trainers, cardio masters and nutritionists to give seminars and conduct workshops on health and well-being. In fact, these professionals have created a new branch of careers called corporate wellness. How amazing is that?

In fact, today, we don’t look at fitness programs as just a way to cut down on healthcare costs. We know it’s more than that- physical health is connected to productivity at work. So, by promoting fitness- you are indirectly ensuring growth in the company.

Modern problems and modern solutions

So we’ve got our reasons right- we know why we want employees to be healthy. We have a clear vision of what we want to achieve through these programs. In a way, our motivations have changed with time, we have caught up with recent research findings.

Then, why not update our techniques? There’s a popular meme on the internet called ‘Modern problems require modern solutions’ It’s cheesy, but it’s true! Times have changed, we live in a different world than our parents’ generation.

Workplace fitness initiatives should be (and some already are) upgrading their efforts to match the needs of modern times. For example, being healthy is no longer as simple as eating fruit and going for a run. There are tons of health “experts’ spewing misinformation on the internet, the ozone layer is degrading, the air we breathe gets more polluted with every passing day, and that piece of fruit is probably covered in tons of pesticides!

Only a few can afford to buy expensive organic produce, control air quality and temperature inside their houses, or surround themselves with trees and clean water. Looking at this complex web of choices, we desperately need to design initiatives that help employees understand how to maintain holistic health. Here are a few small things you can do to make it happen:

Environmental awareness workshops

Educate employees about polluters in our natural environment, like lead, mercury, asbestos, etc. Talk about water pollutants, and how to prevent them from infecting your body. For example, you could suggest people to boil water before they store it for drinking, especially during flu season.

Physical health is no longer a matter of individual action. The efforts have to be put on a community level to ensure that we take care of our environment and shared resources. You can even organize outdoor clean-up activities, tree plantation campaigns, etc., so that everyone understands the impact of community action.

Green Commuting incentives

Encourage employees to walk or cycle to work, instead of using private vehicles. Of course, if employees are senior, have health issues, or stay far away from work, walking and cycling is not an option. In that case, carpooling and public transport are excellent alternatives. If you provide incentives for taking the bus to work, or using your car only 2 days of the week, you can get more people to sign up!

Alternative exercise routines

Cardio, gym and weightlifting are great. But they cost time due to commute, and empty people’s pockets due to exorbitant membership fees. Not everyone has the time, money and energy to go to the gym. In fact, sometimes this modern fitness culture sets unrealistic body standards and expectations.

Why not make physical fitness simpler. Walks, runs, stretching, yoga, dancing- there are so many fun options to choose from! Encourage employees to have fun with fitness, so that it doesn’t turn into a weight losing or dieting contest.

Mindfulness and stress reduction

Holistic health means both physical and mental health. They are both connected. If you don’t feel good emotionally, you won’t find the motivation to get up and start your day. If you want your employees to be productive, you need to motivate them. Motivation is created when people have a meaning, a purpose. Mindfulness exercises and personal therapy helps spark creativity, will and zest in employees.

If you are a manager or a fitness expert, we hope this article helped you understand the health-related needs of present times. Necessity is the mother of invention- and right now everyone could use some great ideas on health and fitness, especially because of the sedentary lifestyle we have trapped ourselves in. So, go ahead and shake things up in your organization!