So what are the best ways for employers to support and improve wellness in their shift workers?<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”||||||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Wellness and wellbeing aren\u2019t vague terms. They should be tangible data points that can be measured for the benefit of your organisation and the individuals involved. Shift work has obvious challenges for the employee\u2019s physical health (both short- and long-term), emotional and mental health<\/a>, and social wellbeing outside the workplace with friends and family.<\/p>\n These things matter because healthier people are happier people, and happy employees do better work and stick around longer. Physical and mental wellbeing have obvious links with productivity, absenteeism, and health and safety outcomes.<\/p>\n Sleep hygiene<\/strong> \u2013 sleep is an essential part of wellness but a consistent challenge for shift workers. Offer employees education and resources to support better sleep patterns, and encourage their engagement with other factors that positively affect sleep (better nutrition, physical activity, regular exercise).<\/p>\n Good nutrition<\/strong> \u2013 shift work can impact the body\u2019s ability to regulate hunger hormones, meaning it\u2019s more likely that shift workers will make poor food choices or develop a tricky relationship with food. As their employee, you can offer access to healthy food snacks and meals during all shifts, and educate shift workers about the importance of a balanced diet to supporting good health. Consider partnering with local or national F&B outlets as an employee benefit for shift workers.<\/p>\n Physical activity <\/strong> \u2013 encourage regular movement breaks for walking, stretching, and getting out in fresh air (and sun where possible), so shift workers can increase their activity levels<\/a> and get sufficient Vitamin D from sunlight.<\/p>\n Discounted gym access<\/strong> \u2013 regular exercise has proven benefits for short- and long-term health, better sleep patterns, mood, and \u201chabit stacking\u201d including food choices. Make sure your corporate gym access<\/a> is suitable for all shift workers no matter when or where they work. This means thinking beyond access to a single facility or an on-site gym.<\/p>\n Mental health support<\/strong> \u2013 provide access to relevant mental health resources including counselling services, stress management workshops, and support around sleep. If this isn\u2019t possible in-house, create links with external partners and offer this as an employee benefit.<\/p>\n Peer support<\/strong> \u2013 establish peer support, mentoring, or social groups for shift workers so they can share their wellbeing strategies and feel connected within your organisation.<\/p>\n Reward and recognise<\/strong> \u2013 shift workers can often feel out of the loop due to the hours or location of their work. Set up systems to acknowledge and reward your shift workers so they feel valued and seen.<\/p>\n Gym access consistently tops the list of desirable employee benefits<\/a>, but it\u2019s no longer enough to provide discounted access to a local gym. Your shift workers need access to fitness facilities that suit their shift patterns. And the services on offer need to be varied and motivating enough to encourage employees to exercise even during challenging shift patterns. Don\u2019t make the mistake of offering an employee benefit that your shift workers can rarely use.<\/p>\n The best way to offer gym access as an employee benefit<\/a> \u2013 particularly for shift workers \u2013 is to give the choice of multi-site access. By definition, this option will suit every employee in your organisation, including shift workers.<\/p>\n Hussle makes it very easy to offer \u201cfitness as a benefit\u201d in a flexible way that will work for everyone in your organisation. Our memberships offer access to thousands of gyms<\/a>, pools, and fitness centres. With one membership, your employees have the flexibility to choose when, and where they go to the gym \u2013 near home, near work, or on the road. And our wide range of price points means Hussle really suits any income level, making this a meaningful benefit that can always be used.<\/p>\n Supporting physical wellbeing in shift workers has to go beyond offering gym<\/a> access that would suit a 9-5 office worker. When you get employee benefits right for shift workers, you show your commitment to nurturing and recognising the wellbeing of every employee<\/a> across your organisation.<\/p>\n Hussle\u2019s huge network of gyms and fitness centres across the UK are available within Hussle membership<\/a>. So when you partner with us for your fitness employee benefits<\/a>, you really do offer every employee an exciting, flexible, varied set of choices.<\/p>\n Find out how Hussle can support you in giving the best corporate gym membership<\/a><\/strong> in a package that will foster a healthier, more positive workplace culture across your organisation.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.hussle.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Elevate-Employee-Wellness.png” alt=”Elevate employee wellness with corporate gym membership” title_text=”Elevate Employee Wellness” url=”https:\/\/www.hussle.com\/employers” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Shift work plays a crucial role in numerous industries. If your organisation has shift workers you\u2019ll know the unique challenges of supporting wellbeing in this particular demographic. Irregular hours and disrupted sleep patterns can impact on shift workers\u2019 physical, social, and emotional wellness. Benchmark your company with a personalised wellness scorecard – here. So what […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":7060,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n When you're looking to increase fitness<\/b><\/a>, stamina, or perhaps lose a bit of weight, we've all been told the top tip of taking the stairs rather than the lift. Increasing your heart rate and working the muscle in your legs, workouts with a step have been popular since the 1980s. Since the days of step classes and neon Lycra.<\/p>\r\n\r\n But the step machine in the gym can get overlooked. It gets branded as boring. Truth is, the stair climber can deliver an efficient and well rounded workout, whether used as part of a wider gym routine or on its own for a whole workout<\/a> session.<\/p>\r\n\r\n So let's delve into the stair climber benefits. You might soon find yourself swapping that treadmill workout for a stair climber workout. Or combining the two.<\/p>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n The stair climber does what it says on the tin and simulates walking up stairs. Unlike some of the other scary looking gym equipment<\/a>, it's very easy to use. It rotates steps to simulate climbing a flight of stairs and you can vary the resistance and speed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n There are two types of gym stepper machines, the pedal type steppers and the step mill.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The pedal steppers require you to push down on pedals and keep your body mostly still as you do so meaning it gets your core more involved. Whack up the resistance or take smaller or larger steps as you prefer, to vary the difficulty level.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The step mill is more like a traditional flight of stairs, that moves like an escalator. Up the speed or take the steps two at a time for a more challenging workout variation.<\/p>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n StairMaster is actually a brand. Hence the use of capital letters. Call it a step machine, stepper, stair stepper, StairMaster, stepmill, Power Climb mill, stairclimber or stepping machine \u2013 they are all the same thing.<\/p>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n The golden rule is: don\u2019t slouch. Step machine benefits are maximised when you hold the handrail as little as possible and keep your core strong. Keep your feet flat and avoid coming up onto your tiptoes. Don\u2019t let your knees stick forward of your toes. If your knee comes forward too much it stresses your knee joint and quadriceps tendon.<\/p>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n Stair climber benefits are huge. A step machine workout is a good bit of cardiovascular exercise, burning calories as it increases your heart rate and gets your blood pumping. If weight loss<\/b><\/a> is your goal, you can help create that calorie deficit here. It's also low impact compared with other cardio machine workouts, like the treadmill. A plus for those with joint issues.<\/p>\r\n\r\n But it can also double as strength training<\/b><\/a>. The repetitive motion of using your legs to push yourself up is a great way to test that endurance and activate the muscles in your lower body<\/a>. Stair climber workouts are great if you're looking to tone your lower body.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Additionally, this exercise gives your core muscles a decent workout too. Having to readjust your balance as you climb helps you to develop a stronger core<\/b><\/a>. Make sure you keep an eye on your posture to make this efficient and ease lower back pain. <\/p>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n It definitely lets you be more efficient with your stair climbing workout. <\/p>\r\n\r\n Real stairs don't provide you with differing levels of resistance like the stepper in the gym. The harder your step, the harder your muscles are working, and the more likely you are to start to tone your lower body.<\/p>\r\n\r\n An interesting point is that if you\u2019re climbing real stairs, you're going to be coming down them again. Going downstairs can place a strain on your joints, especially the knees. Anyone who's experienced knee problems like runner's knee will know the pain of walking down stairs. As you are always on the upward climb on the stair stepper, there is no strain on your joints.<\/p>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n If you're new to it, start with 15 minutes. That way you can test out your resistance and speed. Gradually build up so you can stay on the stair climber for 30 minutes. For the average person, a 30 minute stair climber session can burn around 200-300 calories.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Aim for a speed of about 60-80 steps a minute. But it's also great to mix it up. Try periods of faster speed or increased resistance followed by rest. That way you can build up both your stamina, endurance, and give every muscle in your lower body a good workout.<\/p>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n The benefits of gym treadmills are that you run less risk of injury than pounding the pavements. Gym treadmills are easier on your joints than a hard concrete pavement and there\u2019s no injury-causing uneven ground to worry about. As a general rule, running is an extremely efficient cardio and therefore calorie burning activity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Gym stair steppers share the same benefits of the reduced impact, but aren't as calorie busting as running. However, it can be seen as a form of strength training too, which running can't really. Stair climbers can work every muscle in your legs if you're using them correctly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n And if you're the clumsy type, it\u2019s hard to fall off a stair stepper. So if you like to zone out and watch TV in the gym while you exercise, this one is for you.<\/p>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n The burn belly fat question is one that comes up every time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Whilst you can\u2019t spot reduce and target fat loss to particular areas of your body, you can burn belly fat by reducing the overall amount of calories that you take on board and burning fat with aerobic exercise. Therefore the stair stepper will burn belly fat as part of a calorie burning workout, as it is a good aerobic exercise.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Stair climber workouts also works your stomach muscles and strengthens your core, engaging those muscles underneath the belly fat and helping to keep your tummy toned.<\/p>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n There are plenty of gyms with StairMasters. <\/p>\r\n\r\n Most gyms will have a StairMaster or similar machine. If you\u2019re not sure if your favourite gym has a stair climber, ask one of the gym instructors. Just as you would expect to find a treadmill in most gyms, you can expect to find a stepping machine too, especially in the larger gyms.<\/p>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n The beauty of the stair climber is there are actually lots of variations you can do on the machine in addition to just walking up stairs.<\/p> \r\n\r\n Incorporating additional movements such as a lunge, a squat, an overhead press, or even adding a resistance band is a great way to making your workout<\/a> even more efficient at working the muscles in your body.<\/p>\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZfjoRT8Zl48\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nWhy wellness matters for shift workers<\/h2>\n
7 ways to nurture wellness in shift workers<\/h2>\n
Discounted gym access as a benefit for shift workers<\/h2>\n
Create a corporate fitness offer to suit shift workers<\/h3>\n
Inclusive corporate gym membership inclusive for shift workers<\/h3>\n
What is the stair climber?<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n
What is the difference between a StairMaster and a stepmill?<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n
How do you use the stair climber?<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n
What does the stair climber do for your body?<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n
Is the stair climber in the gym better than real stairs?<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n
How long should you stay on the stair climber?<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n
Which is better, the treadmill or stair climber?<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n
Does the stair climber burn belly fat?<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n
Where can I use a Stair Master?<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n
Stair climber workouts<\/h4>\r\n\u00a0\r\n
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