| More and more these days, employers, from | | | | programs are in place. This comes about because |
| large corporations to small businesses, are | | | | many health care benefits providers recognize |
| recognizing the value of supporting the physical | | | | that their costs will decrease when workers are |
| fitness efforts of their employees. Their | | | | fit and in good health. |
| particpation in supporting and encouraging | | | | As mentioned, the employees will benefit from |
| employee fitness varies from providing room and | | | | better health and a better ability to handle stress. |
| fitness equipment at the workplace and/or time | | | | Additionally, they typically experience increases |
| for physical fitness programs to full scale fitness | | | | and improvements in self-image, self-esteem, and |
| training and health monitoring. | | | | general overall physical and mental feelings of |
| However, what are the benefits to the employer | | | | well-being. Many people report an improved ability |
| and the employees of such attitudes and | | | | to withstand depression or even a disappearance |
| programs? Are the benefits worth it? | | | | of symptoms when they reach states of good |
| Well, each employer will have to judge for himself | | | | physical fitness. |
| or herself, but here is what small businesses and | | | | Increased physical fitness usually also brings |
| major corporations are finding are the potential | | | | increased stamina, cardiovascular health, and |
| benefits of helping their employees improve their | | | | weight reduction. Weight loss is in and of itself of |
| health and physical fitness. | | | | significant importance as obesity is a major risk |
| One of the first things employers may notice is | | | | factor in such diseases and conditions as heart |
| improved employee productivity. This comes | | | | disease, cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, and |
| about for several reasons. For one thing, there will | | | | diabetes. |
| normally be decreased rates of illness and injury, | | | | Obviously, when employees are healthy, |
| and absenteeism will go down because of this and | | | | employers have a better opportunity to be |
| because employees will simply feel better about | | | | healthy as well. However, health and fitness do |
| themselves and their performance at work. They | | | | not turn off when the employee goes home! |
| will have more energy to get through the day, | | | | Physically fit employees are more likely to have |
| both at work and at home, and will cope better | | | | better relationships with family members as well, |
| with stress no matter the source and this can | | | | and may find themselves more able and willing to |
| help not only their personal attendance and | | | | spend more time with their children. It has long |
| performance, but can have a very positive impact | | | | been known that parental involvement with |
| on their relationships with other employees. | | | | children can be a major factor in helping combat |
| Employees will be better able to focus and | | | | problems such as drug abuse, teen pregnancy, |
| concentrate at work, and they tend to develop | | | | and childhood obesity. |
| their leadership and performance skills to a | | | | When employees are fit, companies and |
| greater degree when physically fit. | | | | communities become fit as well and all affected |
| Of specific interest to employers is the fact that | | | | become better able to perform their personal, |
| costs of providing health care benefits may be | | | | business, and governmental activities. |
| reduced when employee physical fitness | | | | |