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Key risks of sedentary lifestyles when WFH<\/h2>\n
One of the significant risks associated with working from home is the potential for employees to move less. Without a daily commute and movement around a large workspace, many people find themselves more sedentary. WFH or using coworking spaces can mean less movement, prolonged periods of sitting, and no clear boundary between work and home<\/a>.<\/p>\n Prolonged sitting has been linked with a host of health issues, including increased risk of obesity, heart disease, back pain, and even mental health<\/a> issues. Employers have a key role to play in encouraging physical activity amongst their workforce, whether those people work from home, from the office, or on a hybrid model.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Offering fitness as a benefit is a great way<\/a> for employers to help their staff members get more active. But just as working patterns have changed, so have workout patterns. Research shows that people overwhelmingly want variety and flexibility in their fitness provision, which means single-gym memberships are out, and multi-site access is in. This makes perfect sense when we consider that hybrid workers may need to access a gym near home, near the office, or on the road \u2013 and at different times of day depending on their work pattern.<\/p>\n Employers who are putting together a fitness employee benefit need to consider the latest data about how people<\/a> engage with fitness. Gone are the days when simply providing membership to a single local gym<\/a> (or an onsite office gym) was enough. Hybrid workers need more flexible fitness options to suit the moving parts of their lifestyles.<\/p>\n Flexible fitness offers to bolster mental health<\/strong> \u2013 working from home can be isolating, and a good fitness offer not only gets employees moving but provides in-person contact and a sense of community.<\/p>\n Fitness as a benefit to support physical wellbeing<\/strong> \u2013 increased physical activity has a wealth of benefits to short and long term physical health. The best employee benefits for fitness are varied, flexible, and offer access to multiple locations.<\/p>\n Supporting work-life balance<\/strong> \u2013 it\u2019s a clich\u00e9d term, but work\/life balance becomes more important when some of your people are working from their homes. Providing a flexible fitness benefit<\/a> will encourage employees to take breaks, set boundaries, and disconnect after work hours using healthy habits.<\/p>\n It’s essential to recognise that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to supporting the wellbeing of a hybrid workforce. As we\u2019ve already said, the outdated model of providing free or discounted access to just one gym simply isn\u2019t enough. Everyone has different needs and preferences when it comes to engaging with fitness, and hybrid workers in particular need more choice.<\/p>\n Employers need to offer an employee fitness benefit that gives a variety of options and access to different facilities, then let employees choose what works best for them. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n This could include flexible gym opening hours, the option to workout at different locations, or the potential for using Personal Training, group fitness, or hybrid training models.<\/p>\n With hybrid working becoming more prevalent across industries, employers need to examine their employee benefit provisions to be sure they meet the needs of the entire workforce<\/a>. Fitness and wellbeing is a core benefit that impacts physical health, mental wellbeing, productivity, employee satisfaction, retention and so many other factors.<\/p>\n Creating a fitness benefit that is fit for purpose means going beyond the traditional \u201cdiscounted gym<\/a> membership\u201d model, and thinking about how your people want to engage with fitness. When, where, and how do they want to get active? What will get them moving, and what will keep them engaged? How can your fitness benefit offer cater for keen gymgoers and nervous newcomers alike?<\/p>\n The obvious answer is offering a flexible, multi-location model for your fitness employee benefits. The good news is that you don\u2019t have to do all the legwork and create a complicated offer with tons of working parts. Hussle has done it all for you.<\/p>\n Hussle\u2019s membership model gives people access to a network of 1000s of gyms<\/a>, pools, fitness facilities and leisure centres across the country. As an employer, you can offer your staff Hussle membership as a wellbeing benefit. They then get full or discounted access to a vast range of fitness facilities to suit their schedule, goals, and preferences.<\/p>\n Hybrid working is here to stay, and employers who offer hybrid working need to also offer appropriate access to fitness as an employee benefit. Go beyond ticking the box, and show that you understand the changing needs of hybrid workers.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\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":" As hybrid working continues to change the workforce, employers must modernise their benefits offers to suit shift patterns, work locations, and flexible working. Hybrid working offers plenty of advantages to employer and employee alike, but it comes with unique challenges, not least in supporting employee health and wellbeing. Forward-thinking employers are reimagining what fitness-as-a-benefit looks […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":5830,"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\n\n
A proactive approach for supporting hybrid workers<\/h2>\n
Variety and flexibility in a modern fitness employee benefit<\/h2>\n
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How to modernise your benefit provisions for hybrid working<\/h2>\n
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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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