Fitness in the Workplace

Health and fitness are very important, and the fact is many people actually aren’t opposed to the thought of exercise. However, it seems that for many as though there just aren’t enough hours in the day to fit exercise into their hectic schedules. Promoting fitness and wellbeing in the workplace – whether it be in your employees, colleagues, or even yourself – is very important.

Aside from the obvious, exercise actually increases productivity levels and boosts morale, meaning that you’re more likely to end up with a better quality of work. Often it can seem like managing both your work and personal life with exercise isn’t conceivable, but there are many ways around this, and there are several things you can do to even exercise whilst at your desk. Here are just a few ideas to motivate you into keeping fit and healthy at work.

Exercise Whilst You Work
Although at first it might seem like a rather embarrassing concept, if you work in an office environment, then there are actually exercises that can be done at your desk, and don’t worry, they can all be done fairly secretly too. From leg lifts whilst you’re waiting for the printer to subtle chair squats, there are plenty of ideas available online that aren’t too strenuous, and won’t draw the attention of those around you – and better yet, they’re free.

Gym Equipment for the Office
You may be lucky enough to have a bit of extra space in your workplace or perhaps an unused room, meaning you have the space for a piece of gym equipment or two, which is a great way of exercising on lunch breaks or after work. Purchasing exercise machines is actually a lot cheaper than you might think and there are a lot of options available to you.

Opting for pieces of equipment such as a treadmill, or an exercise bike are a great starting point as they are easy to use and are perhaps less daunting that other more complex machines Online retailers such as Fitness Warehouse stock these machines in a variety of shapes and sizes, just be sure it meets health and safety requirements before you make the investment.

Incentives and Discounts
If you don’t have the space for a full blown fitness centre, then you could consider speaking to your local gym and seeing whether or not they offer corporate discounts and memberships. This is a great way of providing yourself, and your employees with a cheap gym membership, as often it’s the high monthly costs that put people off joining themselves and this is a great incentive to offer in the workplace. You could also consider joining the bike to work scheme, which offers discounts to both employers and employees alike and is a fantastic way of getting fit, whilst travelling to and from work.
It’s hugely important to promote health and fitness in the workplace, and you can find plenty more ideas for exercise and fitness in the workplace online, no matter what working environment you may work. It benefits both you and your employees, so what are you waiting for, get exercising.