It used to be that only trendy startups in silicon valley or corporate giants could afford employee gyms and fitness facilities. But workplace fitness is about to change – and it’s for every company of any size. Advances in premium digital fitness content, always on bandwidth, and the work-from-home era shift just kicked off by the pandemic means the age of the truly mobile, ultra-convenient and affordable employee fitness program is finally upon us. How do you get started with digital fitness programs for your staff? There are four things to consider.
1. Choosing a System that’s Right for Your Team
Digital fitness isn’t – and definitely shouldn’t be – an expensive piece of clunky enterprise software with a massive company-wide server that takes weeks or months to install and integrate. When you’re selecting a digital fitness partner look for systems and partners that offer three things. First, custom consultation: make them the do the work of showing you the system, products and fitness content that will be best for your program goals and employee head count. Second, plug and play technology: the system hardware should be simple, streamlined and easy to install – it should not require an MIT background to understand. And lastly, ongoing support. Most critically, as you introduce any new technology, not to mention, hundreds of workout classes (in the case of FitnessOnDemand content), you will naturally have questions about how to create the best seamless experience for staff and long term growth needs. An expert should be hand at all times to assist.
2. Search for a Saleable – and Synchronized – Program
Many companies are planning a more fluid hybrid work future. Employees will work from home some, or all, of their work week – but occasionally come to the office or other work hub for meetings or to connect with their teammates. As these plans emerge and evolve over this year and beyond, make sure your virtual fitness program is truly flexible and hybrid – meaning it works seamlessly for employees streaming in their family rooms, working out in a co-working space during their lunch hour or, and when, they come to the office. The best streaming systems, like FLEX by FitnessOnDemand offer always-on access to the same classes, instructors and content wherever your staff chose to workout, as well as integrate with on-site fitness installations on company campuses.
3. Make Digital Fitness Truly Interactive
Don’t treat your new digital fitness program like the 1980s corporate gym in the basement – and forget about it once it’s there. Digital fitness programs are all about ongoing engagement. Use employee emails and newsletters to introduce the new program to everyone and for the first few months host weekly Zoom tutorials about how to get started. Then share content and demo class content in your online communications and workplace social channels, launch employee challenges with specific on-demand classes, workouts or trainers, and encourage team competition. Many companies start specific Facebook or other social channel groups dedicated to fitness, workouts and fun virtual challenges to keep coworkers engaged and smiling while they sweat.
4. Ongoing Motivation for Remote Employees
It’s easy to reward your staff or coworkers when they meet fitness challenges, clock miles or reach their health targets – when they’re on site in the workplace with you. With remote employees or hybrid workforce’s continuous engagement and motivation over time is key to getting the most out of your digital fitness program – and ensuring they do too. Set incentives for health challenges and rewards for workouts and classes completed over time. Make sure to make fitness engagement a part of weekly calls and check ins, performance reviews and other points of connection. Ask if your team are making use of this fun, new tool to help them stay fit – and provide support if they need it.
Bringing employee fitness into the 21st century with a new virtual fitness program shouldn’t feel like either an afterthought or a chore. Talk with a specialist from the onset to learn more about what will work best for your company, your staff and needs and you’ll be back to working out at work before you know it.
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