Long working hours mean long hours spent sitting hunched in the office chair. Our sedentary lifestyles are taking a toll on us, both physically and mentally. In fact, it is widely believed by many experts that ‘sitting is the new smoking’ and has many detrimental effects that run the risk of developing deadly illnesses. The most common of these is deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which can result in death.
Although your employees are responsible for their own health and should make more pro-health choices such as going to the gym, it is in your best interest to take care of their health as well. After all, a healthier workforce is a more productive workforce. The easiest way is to invest in an office gym. Yes it’s a costly option, but one that pays off in the long run. Here’s why your office needs its own gym.
Lower Absenteeism
Regular exercise leads to healthy employees throughout the year. They are less likely to succumb to an illness, which means higher productivity levels and more days on the job. Employees also get to relieve themselves from the fatigue brought about by sitting all day. More cardio work will lead to good heart health and stretching eases pain and aches.
Reduced absenteeism means less sick days and lower turnover rates save costs.
Reduced Stress
Most businesses have high pressure work environments that can take a toll on the mental health of most employees. When you combine this with excessive sitting in front of the computer screen, this can lead to fatigue in the back, neck, arms, and wrist, and even cause eyestrain. These are all signs of an unsatisfied employee who’s looking to bail at the first opportunity.
Going to a gym that just happens to be nearby is a great way of relieving the buildup of stress and fatigue. It also results in weight loss along with lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Exercise makes improvement in your blood flow and your heart rate rises, which is enough to enhance your mood and brain function.
Motivated Employees
Employee benefits like gym membership can be a source of good motivation for workers. This is because exercise promotes the release of mood elevating hormones and endorphins. They appear more jovial to each other and clients alike, both of these lead to improved performance at work.
Reduce Healthcare Costs
It is obvious that healthy employees have lower healthcare bills than sick ones. Part of these healthcare bills are actually shouldered b the employers through healthcare benefits. Studies show that most of these healthcare issues can be prevented by opting for a healthier lifestyle.
In fact, low productivity levels due to health reasons cost businesses over $1 trillion every year. This is why employers save more money in the long term by installing gym equipment in a spare room nearby. It doesn’t even have to be too expensive, just a few barbells, dumbbells, and a treadmill can get the job done. If nothing else, you set your employees up for a free gym membership to a place near their house.
Both you and your employees have the responsibility of promoting healthier practices at work. An office gym is good for both body and mind. Click here to learn how you can set up gym equipment and improve the lives of your employees.
