Workplace wellbeing whilst working from home

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Exercise in the City

Bringing fitness to you…
We’re committed to keeping workplaces active during this challenging time and giving you and your colleagues opportunities to exercise during your working day.

Teaching a live online Pilates class - Exercise in the City Founder Julia Scodie

Like you, we’re working from home!

We’re now offering all our workplace fitness classes and wellbeing services as live interactive online sessions.

We’re a team of fantastic fitness instructors who have been bringing Pilates, Yoga, Fitness classes, workplace wellbeing talks and workshops to workplaces across London. With the closure of all our clients’ offices, we’re now bringing our workplace wellbeing services to your teams whilst you’re all working from home.

“We’re committed to keeping our online classes fun and interactive. As well as helping your staff to stay active whilst working from home, it’s a great opportunity to come together as a team and connect with colleagues.”

We’re offering all our usual workplace fitness classes online
Pilates, Yoga, HIIT, Dance Fit, Meditation and more.

For more details and to book your first class today email us at info@exerciseinthecity.com

AS FEATURED IN…

International Pilates Day – 4 May

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Exercise in the City

It’s Pilates Day on 4th May (though we think every day should be Pilates day!) Here’s our six reasons why everyone should try Pilates during the working day.

1) Pilates can help realign your posture after a day sat at your desk
Think about how you sit at your computer. Do you hunch your shoulders? Is your head forward as you look at your screen? Do you overuse one side of your body too? For example if you use your mouse or your phone often. If we stay in these positions for long periods of time, this can cause muscle imbalances. All the muscles across your chest and front can get tight, and back muscles can become elongated and weakened. During a Pilates class you’ll stretch and strengthen your muscles helping to realign your spine and negate the effects of sitting slumped at a desk.

2) Pilates is great for your mental health and general wellbeing
Taking an hour during your working day to focus on yourself, your body and your breathing is a fantastic way to help reduce stress. Pilates is a ‘mind body’ exercise. You focus on your movements as you go through the exercises and have to think about the muscles you’re working so you engage and work them correctly. This can help clear your mind and worries as you concentrate on your body during the class. There is scores of research and studies which have highlight the benefits of exercise for good Mental Health. Find out more on the NHS website here

3) You will see the benefits Julia Scodie founder of Exercise in The City
As quoted by Joseph Pilates (the creator of Pilates!)

“In 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 sessions you’ll see the difference, and in 30 sessions you’ll have a whole new body”

Every body is different, so Jo’s time scales may vary!.. However after a couple of months practising Pilates regularly you will definitely notice more tone and definition in your abdominal muscles (you’ll be on your way to a six-pack!), arms and legs. Pilates exercises focus on strengthening and stretching to encourage longer leaner muscles.

4) Pilates can help with back pain
According to Public Health England, 28.2 million working days are lost per year in the UK due to Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions and 1 in 10 employees report having MSK conditions. Pilates is safe and effective workout if you experience back pain (though check with your GP first). Exercises focus on working and strengthening your ‘core muscles’ (the muscles that support your spine and pelvis) and increasing mobility and function of movement. This can help to relieve pain and strengthen your spine to prevent further problems.

5) You can do Pilates anywhere
All you need is enough space to throw down a mat and away you go! We’ve taught Pilates in reception areas, meeting rooms and even tiny offices between desks.

6) All levels welcome
Pilates instructors are highly trained and exercises are safe for people with injuries or anyone new to exercise. It’s often recommended by Doctors and Physiotherapists. If you’re very fit already and/or practice other sports and exercise, Pilates is a great compliment. Exercises will always have a few options to challenge those wanting to work harder. If you’ve never tried Pilates before or think it might be easy… have a go at the Ab series and let us know what you think!

We’d love to come and teach Pilates in your office.
Contact us to find out more and book your first class today.
info@exerciseinthecity.com

DNEG Wellbeing week

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Exercise in the City

We supported DNEG’s staff Wellbeing week with activities to help staff get active during the week. As part of their activities for the week, we delivered our interactive Deskercise Workshop on day one. Giving staff tips to stay healthy whilst in the office and teaching exercises and stretches staff could practice at their desk through the day.

Day two, our lunchtime Pilates session strengthen, stretched and energised staff ready for the afternoon.

We finished off the week with our high intensity ‘Workplace to Workout’ Boot camp style class. An after-work class for staff to end the day, and head home from the office having had a great workout. No need to go to the gym!

We were delighted with feedback from DNEG …

Booking with Exercise in the City was seamless, once I had submitted my interest in booking some sessions for DNEG’s wellbeing week a call had been arranged. Julia was knowledgeable and really understood what we wanted to achieve, and suggested classes that I hadn’t considered which worked really well. The sessions were great especially Deskercise which was so informative and will really make a different to day to day life!
Sophie Alder, HR Advisor, DNEG

DNEG
DNEG are one of the world’s leading visual effects, animation and stereo conversion companies for feature film and television.

Sky News – Top tips for getting active in the workplace

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Exercise in the City

Our Founder Julia Scodie featured on Sky News yesterday with her top tips for getting active in the workplace.

Julia Scodie - Sky News Interview

Julia was asked to comment following Public Health England’s (PHE) shocking statement that six million adults in England are so physically inactive that they are not even doing ‘a monthly brisk 10-minute walk’.

According to PHE the severity of the current physical inactivity epidemic amongst adults contributes to 1 in 6 deaths in the UK and is costing the NHS over £0.9 billion per year.

You’ll be able to view the full Sky News interview here shortly. In the meantime here are Julia’s top tips to help you get more active during the working week.

Add a brisk walk to your commute
By simply getting off the tube or bus a stop earlier or parking a little further away from your office or station, if you drive, you can easily increase the amount of physical activity you’re doing each day.

Quick & easy stretch you can do at your desk

Deskercise
Every hour or so try some simple stretches and exercises you can do seated or standing at your desk. Great for improving posture too rather then sitting slumped at your computer all day.

Use your lunch break
Get into the habit of leaving your desk and making the most of your lunch break. Take a walk or even organise a fitness class at your office for you and your colleagues. We can help with that!

Create an active culture in your team
If you struggle to motivate yourself, encourage your colleagues to join you too. Why not think about organising a weekly walking session with your team? Make it part of your routine. Or even planning ‘walking meetings’ – much better than being sat in a stuffy meeting room!

Sky News interview

Get your arms moving – simple exercise you can do at your desk!

Public Health England Report: 6 million adults do not do a monthly brisk 10 minute walk

Sky News article: Millions fail to walk briskly for 10 minutes a month

Nominated for #BeActive Workplace Award

Posted on July 30, 2017 by Exercise in the City

Exciting news… we’ve been selected by ukactive as the UK nomination for the #BeActive Workplace Award for 2017. It’s part of the European Week of Sport taking place this September.

The #BeActive Workplace Award is one of three categories for the 2017 European Week of Sport Awards (EWoS). The #BeActive Workplace award celebrates those who most promote EWoS objectives to enhance participation in physical activity in the workplace and encourage employees to #BeActive.

Nominations have been submitted from EWoS partners across Europe and ukactive, the UK’s leading not-for-profit health body for the physical activity sector, selected Exercise in the City for the UK nomination.

We’re delighted to have been nominated by ukactive and we’ll find out if we’ve been selected as one of the finalists in the coming weeks… in the meantime, fingers crossed and watch this space!!

You can find out more about EWoS and the #BeActive Awards here

NICE release new quality standard for Healthy Workplaces

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Exercise in the City

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have released new quality standards providing advice for employers to help improve staff mental and physical health and wellbeing.

Recommendations and rationale from the standards included;

Make health and wellbeing an organisational priority:
Giving a senior manager responsibility for health and wellbeing shows your organisation’s commitment to a healthy working environment. The named manager can then lead on healthy work initiatives and provide line managers and staff with support to improve working conditions. This can benefit both your organisation and your employees by increasing productivity, lowering staff sickness levels and improving job satisfaction and staff retention rates.

Make health and wellbeing a central part of line management roles:
This can help ensure your employees feel valued, content and able to discuss any concerns before they reach a crisis point. This can also improve productivity.

Ensure employees are involved in decision making:
Empowering your employees to be involved in organisational decisions and practices that have a direct impact on them shows that your organisation cares and values their opinions. It can also lead to improved working practices and, in turn, improved job satisfaction, resulting in a more content and healthy workforce as well as higher levels of commitment and productivity.

Read the full NICE Healthy Workplaces Guidelines: Improving employee mental and physical health and wellbeing

A simple way to get more active in 2017

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Exercise in the City

Want to do more exercise in 2017 but wondering how you will find the time? Fitting exercise into your busy working week can be a challenge, so let us make it easier for you…

One of our fantastic fitness instructors will bring your choice of exercise class to you at your workplace… so no excuses!

All you need is a free room or space, push any desks and chairs aside and away you go. Classes can be held during your lunch break, before or after work. It’s a convenient way to fit exercise into your working day. Plus as we come to you every week, it’s easy to keep motivated and stay active through the year.

Pilates, Yoga, HIIT, Circuits, Zumba, Boot camp, Abs Blast and more… We offer your choice of class and will adapt the session to suit your space.

We’re passionate about getting workplaces active and deliver fun classes for all levels. Whether you’re a complete beginner, or a fitness pro, we’re committed to helping you achieve your fitness and health goals.

Classes from just £5 per person… So no excuses not to get, and stay, active in 2017.

To find out more and book a taster class for your workplace contact us today

Lunchtime Pilates class for staff at MCF Corporate Finance

The Guardian – How to be more healthy at work in 2017

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Exercise in the City

The Guardian Online January 2017
How to be more Healthy at Work in 2017

After the festive over-indulgence, experts shared their tips for keeping fit and healthy in the workplace. Our Founder Julia featured with her top tip for an active lunch break!

Read the full feature here

Healthy Workplace Charter Awards

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Exercise in the City

A fantastic initiative backed by the London Mayor, the Healthy Workplace Charter provides clear and easy steps for employers to make their workplaces healthier and happier.

Our Founder Julia Scodie was invited to speak at the Awards ceremony held at City Hall last month.

The ceremony recognised and celebrated organisations dedicated to creating healthier working environments for their staff. It was such an honour to be invited to speak and to meet so many employers who are passionate about their staff Health and Wellbeing.

About the London Healthy Workplace Charter
The Charter provides a framework for action to help employers build good practice in health and work in their organisation. It’s essentially a set of standards that organisations must meet in order to receive an official accreditation (and award).

Standards include: Physical activity, healthy eating and mental health and wellbeing. To date over 140 organsations have been accredited with more than 260,000 employees benefitting. The Charter is open to all employers; private, public, big, small and across industries.

Find out more about the Health Workplace Charter and register your interest

Did you know?
Almost 14 million working days a year are lost to sickness absence in London.
An average London firm of 250 employees can lose up to £250,000 a year, or £4,800 per week,
due to sickness absence.

Physically active workers take 27% fewer sick days than non-physically active counterparts and happier workers are 12% more productive than average, with unhappy workers 10%productive.

The Guardian – Wellbeing at Work

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Exercise in the City

The Guardian Online November 2016
Tips on staying healthy in the Workplace

Our founder Julia featured on the expert panel for this live Q&A.

Continue reading →

Exercise in the City

Corporate Pilates, Yoga & fitness classes at your London office

Tag Archives: Workplace wellbeing