Walking to Win

Good news: A recent study found 75% of American employers offer a “wellness program”. And the trend is catching on around the world: From gym discounts in Europe to flu shots in Canada, companies are realizing that the healthier their employees are, the more productive the work environment is.

This translates into a better bottom-line and valuation: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, companies that have wellness programs have reported a 26% drop in health care costs. A recent report found that stock prices are higher for companies that have an effective wellness program.

Creating a wellness program for employees can be simple or more complex, depending on the size and scope of the program. But getting employees to participate can be more difficult—especially as the temperature declines, and everyone is busy around the holidays.

Incentives are a great way to encourage employees, and they don’t have to be grand prizes (although they can be!). Here are a few suggestions to motivate your employees to—at the very least—get 30 minutes of walking five days a week to decrease the risk for obesity, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes:

Walking for My Wii™: This 12-week program has everything you need for motivation around the office: It comes with 100 Healthy Strides Journal & Brochure Walking Kits, 12 Healthy Strides Posters, and a Walking for My Wii™ Administrator CD with an overview, planning guide, award certificates, and participant survey.

Step Diary: Tracking progress on paper is a cost-effective motivational tool. Encourage employees with a Walk A Day Journal™ to keep their goals in focus.

Pedometers: These small, beeper-like devices can be a reward for those who log the most steps, or an incentive at the beginning of a walking program. The goal? Researchers say 10,000 steps a day, or roughly five-miles, is a good number to aim for. In place of a physical pedometer, the Google Pedometer online tracker estimates how many steps you will take from your starting point to your ending point on a location map.

Shoes: As a prize for the winner of your walking program, the new trend in “shape up” walking shoes from Skechers promises to tone muscles and promote weight loss with a Kinetic Wedge designed to absorb shock and provide an exercise effect in every step. Or check out Reebok’s new EasyTone walking shoes that claim similar benefits.

Fitness Facility Discounts: As a prize, or an incentive to get people moving indoors, ask your local gym if they are willing to provide a discount or freebies for employees who want to be part of the program.

Spa Days: Nothing sounds better than a massage after 10,000 steps! Ask your local spa if they can give a discount or donate to the winner of your walking program.

Other incentive ideas:

• Walking for charity
• Earning a cash prize
• Earning a gift certificate to stores where organic and healthier choices are available
• A free healthy lunch
• An extra vacation day