With Baby Boomers hitting their fifties, employers are feeling the impact of the aging workforce. According to the Surgeon General, 60 percent of adults are overweight and out of shape - primary risk factors for cumulative trauma disorders to backs, knees, shoulders and necks. These injuries make up half of all workers' comp and healthcare costs. Clearly, there is a great need to help workers improve their fitness and adopt healthier lifestyles.
It's not that employers haven't tried. Annual health fairs can raise awareness, lunchtime aerobics classes may appeal to some employees. Some employers have invested substantially in professional quality onsite gyms only to get 15 percent participation. When I tell employers we get 85 percent to 100 percent participation every day in the programs we offer, they scratch their heads and ask: "How do you do it"?