Promoting physical activity in the workplace is so important.

But, why?

Imagine a workplace where employees thrive, healthcare costs plummet, and productivity soars – all through the power of movement. By creating an environment that champions physical activity, you’re not just fostering healthier employees; you’re cultivating a vibrant company culture that values well-being and drives success. From preventing chronic diseases to enhancing mental health and employee engagement, the benefits of an active workforce are undeniable.

Join us as we uncover the financial rewards of workplace wellbeing and physical activity programs and provide you with actionable strategies to transform your company into a powerhouse of health and productivity.

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Let’s Start with the Facts

The Essential Role of Physical Activity in Boosting Health & Well-Being and Lowering Costs

Prevalence of Physical Inactivity

• 31% of adults worldwide (about 1.8 billion people) and 80% of adolescents don’t meet recommended physical activity levels
• Only 23% of US adults meet federal physical activity guidelines

Health Impacts

• Physical inactivity contributes to 1 in 10 premature deaths
• Regular physical activity helps prevent and manage chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes
• It reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, enhances brain health, and improves overall well-being
• Exercise can reduce stroke risk by 25-30% and lower Type 2 diabetes risk by up to 58% in high-risk populations

Economic Costs

• In the US, inadequate physical activity costs $117 billion annually in healthcare
• Globally, this cost is projected to reach $300 billion by 2030
• 90% of the US’s $4.5 trillion annual healthcare expenditures are for chronic and mental health conditions

Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors

• Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide
• Common risk factors include tobacco smoking, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, obesity, and alcohol use
• Up to 80% of heart diseases, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, and over a third of cancers could be prevented by eliminating these risk factors

Benefits of Physical Activity

• Serves both preventative and rehabilitative functions for musculoskeletal conditions
• Helps maintain a healthy weight and lean body mass
• Reduces symptoms of mild depression and anxiety, important as 1 in 8 people in the world experience mental disorders

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Should Companies and Health Systems Get Invested in an Individual’s Well-Being?

The more hybrid the workplace becomes (people wanting to work remotely), the more people will not only want, but will require access to fitness benefits like this to stay fit, healthy, and happy. 

New trends and data show that employees are now picking jobs that pay for and provide well-being benefits. Now, it makes more sense than ever to invest in customizable wellness solutions, especially pertaining to fitness.

Additionally, when leadership begins to utilize well-being tools and view well-being as a necessity, it not only becomes a part of the culture from the top down, it impacts everyone’s lifestyle, which in turn positively impacts ROI. To calculate the ROI of health and fitness benefits, assess the program’s costs and evaluate financial gains such as lower healthcare expenses, reduced absenteeism, enhanced productivity, and decreased employee turnover.

Happier, healthier employees = more energy, increased productivity, fewer sick days, and less turnover overall!

What does a digital health solution like Sworkit Health offer?

Sworkit’s home workout program helps you fit a solid, targeted workout into whatever free time you have available. Simply choose the kind of routine you want—strength, cardio, yoga, or stretching—and enter the number of minutes you have. Sworkit provides an efficient, video-guided, precision-timed workout.

Access to a digital-physical activity program like Sworkit can effectively eliminate common exercise barriers—such as cost, time, accessibility, and motivation—while enhancing employee health, well-being, productivity, and satisfaction. Investing in the development of sustainable and convenient exercise habits is essential for long-term success.

Sworkit also believes it is important that as organizations, we take care of those in our communities and we want to help create encouraging environments for all to find a love for movement. 

Employee Usage and Activity with and without Incentives, Rewards, or Recognition

On average, employers can expect 20% ongoing Sworkit usage without challenges or rewards.
However, once you introduce challenges we see an average increase in engagement (which equals physical activity) of 25%!

This is because Sworkit Fitness Challenges are:

• Accessible for every level of fitness experience.
• A way to create healthy, supporting competition for isolated or remote workers to feel connected.
• They’re incredibly fun!

When our clients introduce Incentives, Rewards, or Recognition for using Sworkit, they see ongoing engagement jump from 20% to a minimum of 45%!

See case study below.

Click here to see some client case studies that show the positive impact of company-wide, data-centered, fitness challenges.

Opportunities for Self-Insured Companies and Health Plan Systems to Partner with Sworkit Health

At Sworkit, we build opportunities and offer corporate fitness solutions for both existing Health Plans and Self-Insured Providers.

In 2021, we launched an initiative called, Sworkit Health which is an opportunity for Sworkit to have an even more direct impact on Exercise Prescription for the Prevention and Treatment of Diseases. Working closely with partners and expanding the research of our own programs will ensure even greater reach for our vision and mission to make the world a significantly healthier place for all generations.

Learn more about Sworkit Health Offerings

Ready to save your company money and help your employees?

Book a demo at sworkit.com/business, and we’ll talk to you soon!

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*Article originally published September 2021, updated and revised August, 2024.

Sources:

1. kjk.com/2019/08/16/iv-therapy-are-you-ready-to-embrace-this-wellness-trend
2. https://www.clubindustry.com/sponsored/5-benefits-a-hybrid-business-model
3. https://www.wellsteps.com/blog/2020/01/02/impact-wellness-programs-health-care-costs/
4. https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/docs/carlson-physical-activity-and-healthcare-expenditures-final-508tagged.pdf
5. https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/abs/10.1377/hlthaff.2011.0819?journalCode=hlthaff
6. https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/docs/Carlson-physical-activity-and-healthcare-expenditures-final-508tagged.pdf
7. https://eb6d91a4-d249-47b8-a5cb-933f7971db54.filesusr.com/ugd/286de6_c28995b76cf94de2a22ac7a0a4d5264d.pdf
8. https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/about/index.html
9. https://www.cdc.gov/active-people-healthy-nation/php/at-a-glance/index.html
10. https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
11. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity
12. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders
13. https://www.wellsteps.com/blog/2020/01/02/impact-wellness-programs-health-care-costs/
14. https://www.acsm.org/blog-detail/fitness-index-blog/2024/06/12/economic-benefits-of-workplace-wellness-programs-and-changes-since-covid-19
15. https://www.lcs.com/2023/08/29/benefits-of-physical-activity-in-the-workplace/
16. https://www.bodycare.com.au/the-benefits-of-physical-activity-in-the-workplace/