Tag Archives: Employee wellbeing

Cycle to Work scheme boosting London employees health & wellbeing

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We’re passionate about creating healthy workplaces, and making it easier for busy Londoners to fit exercise into their working day. So we’re advocates of workplace health initiatives like the Cycle to Work scheme.

night-sport-bike-bicycleThe Scheme is a tax-efficient, salary-sacrificed employee benefit that makes it cheaper for employees to take up cycling. It’s a great way for London commuters to ditch the tube, have an active and cheaper commute to work.

Results from a survey released this week by the Cycle to Work Alliance has highlighted the health and wellbeing benefits of the Scheme for both employees and their employers.

The survey revealed:

Over 85% of London employees noticed health benefits from participating in the scheme. They also reported improvements in their general fitness; weight loss and felt less stressed.

Employers are also benefiting too. Two thirds of London participants (66%) stated that cycling to work had improved their productivity at work.

Steve Edgell, Chair of the Cycle to Work Alliance and Managing Director of Cycle Solutions said: “This research also shows that by making physical activity an integral part of people’s lifestyles, the scheme is an effective mechanism for encouraging non and novice cyclists to cycle regularly, and achieving a step-change in behaviour.”

…So no excuses not to get on your bike and get active!!

Find out more about the Cycle to Work Initiative and the Cycle to Work Alliance www.cycletoworkalliance.org.uk

NHS calls to employers to take responsibility for workplace health

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The NHS are looking to employers to take responsibility for their employees health. Simon Stevens, NHS England Chief Executive, has suggested the possibility of offering incentives to businesses who offer health and wellbeing programmes for their staff.

At yesterday’s Institute of Directors Annual Conference NHS England Chief Executive, Simon Stevens, spoke about some of the challenges facing the NHS and set out a five year plan of solutions.

We’re so fortunate to have a tax-funded National Health Service, rather than employer based health insurance, as in the USA for example. On the role of employers in workplace health Simon said: “we don’t saddle business with the costs of health care. But one by-product (of this) is that we tend to neglect workplace health.”

“The NHS will therefore now work with the Institute of Directors, and other employers and staff organisations to explore whether there is a case for suggesting to Government consideration of fiscal incentives – perhaps an employers’ national insurance rebate – for those small employers who provide their employees with credentialed health and wellbeing programmes proven to cut long term costs to the NHS.”

Pilates in the workplaceWe at Exercise in the City are passionate about getting workplaces active and have seen first hand how offering fitness classes for staff in the office can improve staff’s health. Pilates classes are proven to help with back pain and muscle tightness – the results from sitting at a desk all day.  And offering more active classes, like Circuits and Boot Camp, help to improve staff’s general fitness levels.  So we’re delighted to see that the NHS are looking to work with employers on more workplace health initiatives.

Offering fitness classes for your staff can be just a small investment – with the proven benefits far outweighing the costs. Classes can be held before/after-work or in a lunch-break. You just need a free meeting room or space in your office.
Find out more about organising classes in your workplace. 

If you would like to book a taster fitness class for your staff contact us at info@exerciseinthecity.com to find out more.

Did you know? The NHS spends over £40 billion a year on treating working age adults, much of which could be prevented. That’s on top of the estimated £32 billion cost of sickness absence caused by 130 million days off work.

References:
– NHS England Press Release  Simon Stevens speech at the Institute of Directors Annual Convention
– ‘How exercising at work really could pay off‘ Daily Mail Article
– Institute of Directors Annual Conference 2015

Business Healthy

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Business Healthy - Sept 2015

busines_healthy_logoBusiness Healthy is a City of London led initiative to bring together businesses in The City to ignite a positive change in the health & wellbeing of their workforce.

We were asked to write an article for their website with health and wellbeing strategy tips for senior management. Read the full article here 

Teach First London Wellbeing day for staff

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Abs Blast for Staff at Teach FirstWe were delighted to support Teach First’s wellbeing day last week for employees at their London office.

The day kicked off with taster exercise classes for staff. An hour’s Pilates session followed by a high intensity Abs Blast half hour!

The afternoon was a little more relaxing with the lovely Lisabetta and Fabio giving back and shoulder chair massages for staff to enjoy.

Poppy Richards, Programme Coordinator at Teach First said of the day:

20140430_- crop“Thank you SO much for yesterday. The day was a real success and I have had so many staff members come up to me to say the same. One colleague said the Pilates was the best Pilates class she has been to, so credit to you!

I thoroughly enjoyed my massage with Fabio, even though it was only 15 minutes it was so relaxing and made all the tension in my shoulders go.“Pilates for staff at Teach First

Organising a wellbeing day for your staff is a great way to show your commitment to your employee’s health and wellbeing. We can help support your day and tailor make a package of options to suit your workplace and objectives.
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Would you like to win a free class at your office?!

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National Fitness DayEnter our National Fitness Day competition to be in with a chance to WIN a free fitness class at your London office.

It’s National Fitness Day on Wednesday 9th September and we at Exercise in the City are supporting the day helping to get London office workers active offering you the chance to win a fitness class at your London office.  

One of our fantastic instructors will come along to your office on National Fitness Day to teach one of our classes.  All you need is a free meeting room or space in your office and some willing colleagues.

To enter simply email us at info@exerciseinthecity.com with ‘National Fitness Day’ in the subject. Include your name, phone number and the name/address of your company where you would like the class to take place if you win. There are ten classes up for grabs… so enter now to be in with a chance to win!

You can double your chances of winning by Following us on Twitter and Tweeting‘@EITCLondon I’d love a fitness class at my London office for @NationalFitnessDayhttp://www.exerciseinthecity.com #nationalfitnessday’

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What is National Fitness Day? National Fitness Day is organised by ukactive, the UK’s leading not-for-profit health body for the physical activity sector.  The day aims to encourage everyone in the UK to try a new fitness activity, get moving, or see what new classes they might enjoy. Find out more about National Fitness Day 

Why we’re getting involved? National Fitness Day is about raising awareness of the benefits of being active and kick-starting people to start regular exercise so we have a healthier, happier nation overall! We’re passionate about getting busy Londoners active and improving the health and wellbeing of workplaces. We do this by making it easy for employees to get active by bringing fitness classes to you at your office …. so no excuses!

More about the prize One of our fabulous instructors will come to your office on National Fitness Day – Wednesday 9th September – to deliver a free 45 minute fitness class. Winners will be contacted by Wednesday 2nd September and we’ll arrange a mutually suitable time on the day to come to you.

Competition closes 6pm on Friday 28th August.
Read the full terms and conditions of the prize here

Contact julia@exerciseinthecity.com to find out more about booking classes at your office.

Workplace Health Week

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Workplace Health Week is set to increase employee activity, health and wellbeing in London

We’re excited as this week is the first ever Workplace Health Week. It’s a fantastic campaign organised by Workplace Challenge and London Sport to encourage employers and employees across the Capital to get involved and show their commitment to workplace health and wellbeing. Something we’re of course passionate about! Read on for more information about the campaign and how you can get involved.
Workplace Health Week

Workplace Health Week (18-22 May) is celebrating employee health and wellbeing and encouraging businesses across London to put more emphasis on workplace health by making a Workplace Challenge Pledge.

When 60% of our waking hours are spent at work, the importance of increasing opportunities to be active in the workplace is clear. Regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of many chronic conditions including: coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancer, obesity, mental health problems and musculoskeletal conditions.

How can individuals and employers get involved? 

Workplace Challenge Take the Workplace Health Pledge Both employees and employers can make a pledge via the Workplace Challenge website. With individuals making a personal commitment to increasing their levels of workplace activity and businesses taking action to improve the health and wellbeing off their staff by facilitating a more active working environment.

Share your pledge on Twitter and Facebook and help encourage others to do the same. Use the hash-tag #WorkHealth2015

Join the Workplace Challenge Midday Mile  At noon on Wednesday (20 May) step out your door and get walking. Hosted by London Sport anyone can take part – just start and finish outside your office! You can raise funds too for the British Heart Foundation who are supporting the event. Find out more

Staff at Girl Guiding UK enjoying an after work Pilates classOrganise a Pilates or fitness class at your office  An easy way to get active in your workplace. All you need is a free room or space, push desks the side and away you go. We come to you… so no excuses!   Find out more about fitness classes at your office and book your first session today.

Vote for Exercise in the City!
We at Exercise in the City have a vision of bringing fun, energetic and effective exercise classes to offices across the UK.  Until 5pm on Wednesday, you can vote for us to pitch our vision to Richard Branson!
Please vote today – let’s get the UK active!

Why should businesses sign up and commit to the Workplace challenge?

In addition to the clear health and fitness benefits for employees, businesses can reap the rewards of workplace activity initiatives. Research shows that workplace physical activity programmes can reduce absenteeism due to sickness, increase work attendance, reduce job stress and decrease use of the healthcare system.

I’m in – how can I get my employees more active?

Visit the Workplace Health Challenge website to register your pledge and find out more about how your business can support a healthy, active workforce. www.workplacechallenge.org.uk

Organise a Pilates or Fitness class in your office with us at Exercise in the City. Contact us to discuss class options and book in your first class today!
Email julia@exerciseinthecity.com

References
Business case – why workplace physical activity? http://www.workplacechallenge.org.uk/business-case—why-workplace-ph