The Business Case for Exercise
Written by Jon Bula: Masters Athlete, Cat 2 Cyclist, MSc in Exercise Physiology
I’ve been touting the benefits of exercise in relation to health and longevity a lot lately. What if I told you that regular exercise can be more powerful than all the apps and work-flow improvements when it comes to improving your productivity. There is a strong case for exercise to be part of everyone’s work day and that it pays huge dividends.
There is an abundance of compelling evidence showing the link between increased fitness and productivity. Regular exercise elevates our mood, makes us healthier, and this makes us more motivated. Increased motivation is hugely important for improved performance and productivity. People who exercise regularly are less likely to be absent from work and are more productive day to day.
Exercise has big impacts on, but not limited the following:
- Stress Relief
- Heart Health
- Improved Concentration
- Reduced Fatigue
- Increased Energy Levels
- Improved Creativity
- Sharper Memory
Exercise not only fuels your muscles with oxygen, but your brain as well. It has been shown to stimulate connections between brain cells. Exercise teaches the body how to handle and work through the effects of stress. The endorphins boost from exercising decreases fatigue and improves mood.
What is really interesting is that performing 20-30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise greatly improves next-day work related resources. Exercise improves sleep, which then increases next-day vigor and ability to focus.
If a company was looking for a way to increase productivity, the first thing it should look for is the opportunity to add regular exercise. This can be as simple as a walking meeting or more structured like a group personal training session. Many forms of exercise have been shown to benefit productivity. The take home message is that daily exercise is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. It doesn’t matter how much a company spends on an elaborate CRM to boost productivity if employees are tired, and unmotivated. Build the foundation with exercise and the rest will follow.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Groundwork Athletics can help you and your employees be more productive, book a consultation today!