Get Paid to Exercise

I realize no one will throw millions of dollars at you or me to get on the elliptical trainer or go for a run. But have you considered the payback you do receive? Corporations know the financial benefits of exercise and the savvy ones implement corporate fitness programs. These companies have documented results on reduced absenteeism, reduced turnover, reduced health care costs, and improved productivity.

If companies reap these benefits, think about how that applies to you as an individual. How much more productive could you be in your business or at work? How much less time would you spend being sick? How much happier would you be and how much more fun to be around? One company showed a $6.15 return for every $1 spent on corporate fitness. What could being more fit mean to your pocket book?

It is common knowledge that exercise can help prevent a myriad of diseases, but have you thought about the financial implications? The premiums for health and life insurance go up dramatically simply for elevated cholesterol and blood pressure levels. With further deteriorations in health, an individual may be denied insurance coverage. Even with insurance, co-pays and time spent in doctors’ offices add up to considerable money out of your pocket.

People often wait until they receive a scare from the doctor, and are already severely at risk for diseases such as heart disease or diabetes, to make their health a priority. At that point, they are fighting for their quality of life (and in some cases, life itself). Imagine how much better life would be if they spent the time and money early on to maximize their quality of life. As Hippocrates is credited with saying, “The function of protecting and developing health must rank even above that of restoring it when it is impaired.”

The next time you think you can’t afford the time to exercise, consider this: you can’t afford not to.