Here's a great article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about the benefits of a healthy workforce.
For more information about how your organization can realize the benefits of a Trail Running program, please contact tony@hittheroadrunning.com or visit corporatewellness.hittheroadrunning.com.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
What makes a corporate wellness program successful?
In the general population you have approximately 20% of people who believe in exercise enough to do it on a regular basis. There are about 20% more who, even though they know the risks, are committed to avoiding exercise and probably never will.
There is a target of opportunity for fitness professionals of the remaining 60% so the question then becomes; what can we do to motivate this 60%?
The reality is that many of them have not yet found a convenient or enjoyable way to get their exercise. This is where employers come in. Employers who have conducted health risk assessments find that 40% of employees are in the medium and high risk groups which directly affects their productivity, creativity and sick time usage. Those in the low risk group, without change, tend to move into the medium and high risk groups over time.
Many wellness professionals want to change the world and move all their employees to the low risk group and are therefore doomed to fail. The rule here is to not let the things you cannot control, control the things you can. Even a small change in employee behaviour can have significant impact to your organizations competitiveness. Multiply the small change by the number of employees and then by time and the impact can be significant. The impact may be to slow the progress of those in the low risk group today from moving into the medium risk group.
Return on investment for corporate wellness initiatives can be staggering. Coors Brewing reported a return of $6.15 for every $1 spent and Citibank reported $4.52. The average of all companies surveyed was $4.30. That's a significant return.
So what kind of wellness initiative brings such large returns. Firstly, you cannot change everyone or everything. Programs should focus on the factors that can be easily affected. Programs should be activity based, simple, fun, private and rewarding. Add community involvement and you add another aspect to your program and your company's image.
In employee surveys 52% said they would participate in a program for a reward worth $150. The participation rate without incentives is 13%.
Often wellness programs try to measure the outcome of a program which is difficult and many employees view it as intrusive. What is more easily measured is adherence and through adherence will come results. We all know that the healthier the habits of a person, the better the results. If people exercise they will get healthier.
If your organization can provide opportunities to it's employees to live healthier and encourage them to grab the opportunities, you will see results like those mentioned above.
....
For more information about how your organization can realize the benefits of a Trail Running program, please contact tony@hittheroadrunning.com or visit corporatewellness.hittheroadrunning.com.
....
About The Author
Tony Denford is a certified personal trainer and owner or Hit the Road. He has been training primarily runners since 2002 and has worked with beginners all the way to Boston Qualifier Marathon runners.
Tony emphasizes balance and variety in his training methods and always tries to make sure his client’s fitness routines are fun as well as beneficial.
Visit www.hittheroadrunning.com for more details on Hit The Road’s programs and services.
There is a target of opportunity for fitness professionals of the remaining 60% so the question then becomes; what can we do to motivate this 60%?
The reality is that many of them have not yet found a convenient or enjoyable way to get their exercise. This is where employers come in. Employers who have conducted health risk assessments find that 40% of employees are in the medium and high risk groups which directly affects their productivity, creativity and sick time usage. Those in the low risk group, without change, tend to move into the medium and high risk groups over time.
Many wellness professionals want to change the world and move all their employees to the low risk group and are therefore doomed to fail. The rule here is to not let the things you cannot control, control the things you can. Even a small change in employee behaviour can have significant impact to your organizations competitiveness. Multiply the small change by the number of employees and then by time and the impact can be significant. The impact may be to slow the progress of those in the low risk group today from moving into the medium risk group.
Return on investment for corporate wellness initiatives can be staggering. Coors Brewing reported a return of $6.15 for every $1 spent and Citibank reported $4.52. The average of all companies surveyed was $4.30. That's a significant return.
So what kind of wellness initiative brings such large returns. Firstly, you cannot change everyone or everything. Programs should focus on the factors that can be easily affected. Programs should be activity based, simple, fun, private and rewarding. Add community involvement and you add another aspect to your program and your company's image.
In employee surveys 52% said they would participate in a program for a reward worth $150. The participation rate without incentives is 13%.
Often wellness programs try to measure the outcome of a program which is difficult and many employees view it as intrusive. What is more easily measured is adherence and through adherence will come results. We all know that the healthier the habits of a person, the better the results. If people exercise they will get healthier.
If your organization can provide opportunities to it's employees to live healthier and encourage them to grab the opportunities, you will see results like those mentioned above.
....
For more information about how your organization can realize the benefits of a Trail Running program, please contact tony@hittheroadrunning.com or visit corporatewellness.hittheroadrunning.com.
....
About The Author
Tony Denford is a certified personal trainer and owner or Hit the Road. He has been training primarily runners since 2002 and has worked with beginners all the way to Boston Qualifier Marathon runners.
Tony emphasizes balance and variety in his training methods and always tries to make sure his client’s fitness routines are fun as well as beneficial.
Visit www.hittheroadrunning.com for more details on Hit The Road’s programs and services.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Fit workers shape up company coffers
Here's a great article from Fort Myers News Press about the success of Corporate Run Wellness Programs.
For more information about how your organization can realize the benefits of a Trail Running program, please contact tony@hittheroadrunning.com or visit corporatewellness.hittheroadrunning.com.
For more information about how your organization can realize the benefits of a Trail Running program, please contact tony@hittheroadrunning.com or visit corporatewellness.hittheroadrunning.com.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Trail Running Program
Hit The Road Running's Trail Running Program is designed for organizations with a core of active runners who want team building opportunities and enhanced stress relief for their employees.
Ongoing trail running classes and one-time trail expeditions can be arranged off-site to encourage your employees to take a break and get back to the great outdoors.
The ongoing classes are offered within, or very close to, the city of Toronto where there is a wide range of off road trails available. Trail expeditions are offered in and out of town and can be used as active retreats for your employees and can also include other services offered by Hit The Road and our partners such as Yoga or Nutritional Counselling.
The Trail Running program is perfect for intermediate to advanced runners who are looking for some variety and covers topics such as;
Trail Running Technique,
Bush safety,
Balance,
Equipment,
Navigation and,
Trail First Aid.
These programs are available to both Corporations and Large Active Lifestyle Clubs or Organizations.
For more information about how your organization can realize the benefits of a Trail Running program, please contact tony@hittheroadrunning.com or visit corporatewellness.hittheroadrunning.com.
Ongoing trail running classes and one-time trail expeditions can be arranged off-site to encourage your employees to take a break and get back to the great outdoors.
The ongoing classes are offered within, or very close to, the city of Toronto where there is a wide range of off road trails available. Trail expeditions are offered in and out of town and can be used as active retreats for your employees and can also include other services offered by Hit The Road and our partners such as Yoga or Nutritional Counselling.
The Trail Running program is perfect for intermediate to advanced runners who are looking for some variety and covers topics such as;
Trail Running Technique,
Bush safety,
Balance,
Equipment,
Navigation and,
Trail First Aid.
These programs are available to both Corporations and Large Active Lifestyle Clubs or Organizations.
For more information about how your organization can realize the benefits of a Trail Running program, please contact tony@hittheroadrunning.com or visit corporatewellness.hittheroadrunning.com.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Employee Health Promotion More Important Than Ever in Economic Crunch
WASHINGTON, Oct 20, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The current economic slowdown reinforces the need for employers to protect their most valuable asset -- employees -- through programs to promote prevention, wellness and chronic disease management, DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance says.
"Tough economic times make it critically important to keep employees healthy, productive and on the job," DMAA President and CEO Tracey Moorhead says. "Wellness and chronic condition management programs contribute to that goal and represent a sound investment for employers -- especially now, when good investments are hard to find."
Citing reports that the economic downturn has forced many Americans to forgo routine health care, such as physician visits and medication refills, Moorhead says health care purchasers and payers must redouble efforts to promote good health and chronic condition management. "Now is when we most need these programs, especially in the workplace," she said.
Recent surveys paint a troubling picture of the response by many Americans to the nation's economic crisis. Separate polls by The National Association of Insurance Commissioners and CIGNA show as many as a quarter to a third of U.S. consumers have avoided physician visits to save money and that 10 percent or more have delayed refilling prescriptions or taken smaller doses than prescribed to make existing prescriptions last longer.
Worse, today's economic situation has created increased levels of stress, a contributing factor to depression, cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions. The American Psychological Association reports that almost half of Americans say they are increasingly stressed about their ability to provide for their family's basic needs. Eight out of 10 cited the economy as a significant cause of stress, up 66 percent from six months earlier. Similarly, a National Business Group on Health survey found that one out of four workers said they are more stressed today than they were two years ago and cited finances among the top three causes.
"Clearly, our nation's workers are at increased risk of declining health due to the slowing economy," Moorhead says. "Wellness, care management and health promotion programs offer a proven solution. Employers who remain committed to these initiatives, we believe, stand the best chance of riding out the current economic crisis on the back of a healthy, productive workforce."
If you have any questions about setting up a wellness program at your site, email them to info@hittheroadrunning.com
"Tough economic times make it critically important to keep employees healthy, productive and on the job," DMAA President and CEO Tracey Moorhead says. "Wellness and chronic condition management programs contribute to that goal and represent a sound investment for employers -- especially now, when good investments are hard to find."
Citing reports that the economic downturn has forced many Americans to forgo routine health care, such as physician visits and medication refills, Moorhead says health care purchasers and payers must redouble efforts to promote good health and chronic condition management. "Now is when we most need these programs, especially in the workplace," she said.
Recent surveys paint a troubling picture of the response by many Americans to the nation's economic crisis. Separate polls by The National Association of Insurance Commissioners and CIGNA show as many as a quarter to a third of U.S. consumers have avoided physician visits to save money and that 10 percent or more have delayed refilling prescriptions or taken smaller doses than prescribed to make existing prescriptions last longer.
Worse, today's economic situation has created increased levels of stress, a contributing factor to depression, cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions. The American Psychological Association reports that almost half of Americans say they are increasingly stressed about their ability to provide for their family's basic needs. Eight out of 10 cited the economy as a significant cause of stress, up 66 percent from six months earlier. Similarly, a National Business Group on Health survey found that one out of four workers said they are more stressed today than they were two years ago and cited finances among the top three causes.
"Clearly, our nation's workers are at increased risk of declining health due to the slowing economy," Moorhead says. "Wellness, care management and health promotion programs offer a proven solution. Employers who remain committed to these initiatives, we believe, stand the best chance of riding out the current economic crisis on the back of a healthy, productive workforce."
If you have any questions about setting up a wellness program at your site, email them to info@hittheroadrunning.com
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Starting a Health and Wellness Committee
Forming a health and wellness committee is one of the best ways of ensuring a good ROI on your wellness program.
Click here for all the details.
If you have any questions about setting up a wellness program at your site, email them to info@hittheroadrunning.com
Click here for all the details.
If you have any questions about setting up a wellness program at your site, email them to info@hittheroadrunning.com
Corporate Wellness Program Trends
Interested in the latest trends for Corporate Wellness programs?
Click here for all the details.
If you have any questions about setting up a wellness program at your site, email them to info@hittheroadrunning.com
Click here for all the details.
If you have any questions about setting up a wellness program at your site, email them to info@hittheroadrunning.com
Corporate Wellness Programs: Supporting Scientific Research and Wellness Statistics
A lot of statistical analysis in this article from Corporate Wellness Programs
Click here for all the details.
If you have any questions about setting up a wellness program at your site, email them to info@hittheroadrunning.com
Click here for all the details.
If you have any questions about setting up a wellness program at your site, email them to info@hittheroadrunning.com
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The Organizational Benefits of Corporate Wellness Programs
Another great argument for initiating a Corporate Wellness program in your organization from Corporate Wellness Program Proposal.
Click here to read the article.
If you have any questions about setting up a wellness program at your site, email them to info@hittheroadrunning.com
Click here to read the article.
If you have any questions about setting up a wellness program at your site, email them to info@hittheroadrunning.com
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