Support employee health with community-minded exercise
Published by HealthFitness on January 2nd, 2024
Community-minded exercise that includes group workouts like running clubs, group fitness classes and workouts of the day have seen increased demand. Offering them as part of your fitness program helps participants build camaraderie and fosters a sense of belonging.
Community-minded exercise is gaining momentum as people continue to look for social support, which was severely lacking during the pandemic. It’s a way for people to find a community in a supportive and nurturing environment. Participants are not only invested in putting the time in for themselves, but for the community that they’re part of as well.
The support works for both the individual and the community because it’s motivating, engaging and creates accountability. Community-minded exercise helps cater to different preferences and fitness levels, making it more inclusive and appealing to a wider audience. The encouragement from other participants allows individuals to push themselves more than they would if they worked out alone.
HealthFitness research reveals that two out of three participants enjoy and value the connection of group fitness classes. When we compared the 12 months of 2022 to the first 9 months of 2023, our group exercise participation has increased 56 percent!
Examples of community-minded exercise
One example of community-minded exercise comes includes two employees who started working out together a year ago at a leading manufacturing client site. The two men don't consider themselves workout buddies, but instead call each other accountability partners. This accountability between one another has resulted in them participating in every challenge since in the last year. Their peer support and accountability has also had another amazing impact — together they have lost an amazing 66 pounds!
Another example includes our HealthFitness team running a women on weights program at two client sites. The program creates a safe space for women who are not comfortable lifting weights to learn correct form and develop autonomy with weight training. The program has been very successful and has grown to include men to be more inclusive.
A third example of community-minded fitness trend is happening within our clients’ broader communities as well, with our client Cardinal Health in Dublin, Ohio, who sponsored the Dublin Chamber Corporate Charity Cup community fundraiser to boost awareness and highlight Cardinal Health as an employer of choice.
The HealthFitness team supported the event, where employees from area businesses competed in fitness and recreational challenges to promote employee wellness and community involvement.
This year’s team included 75 Cardinal Health employees who competed in 21 events including physical activity, sport events, and recreational challenges. Events included relay races, volleyball, kickball, cornhole, bingo, even a paper airplane contest.
Our HealthFitness team encourages participation from the employee base promoting there is an activity for everyone — and volunteering is also an option! They had the strongest showing comprising 19 percent of the 400 participants. Not only did this showcase Cardinal Health, but the company tied for second place and donated to the American Heart Association.
This is a fitting example of how community support — and supporting a community — motivates and benefits all involved.
Learn more!
Community-minded exercise is a top fitness trend for 2024! Learn about the other trends that will shape corporate fitness in 2024.
Connect with us to for a no obligation meeting.
Community-minded exercise is gaining momentum as people continue to look for social support, which was severely lacking during the pandemic. It’s a way for people to find a community in a supportive and nurturing environment. Participants are not only invested in putting the time in for themselves, but for the community that they’re part of as well.
The support works for both the individual and the community because it’s motivating, engaging and creates accountability. Community-minded exercise helps cater to different preferences and fitness levels, making it more inclusive and appealing to a wider audience. The encouragement from other participants allows individuals to push themselves more than they would if they worked out alone.
HealthFitness research reveals that two out of three participants enjoy and value the connection of group fitness classes. When we compared the 12 months of 2022 to the first 9 months of 2023, our group exercise participation has increased 56 percent!
Examples of community-minded exercise
One example of community-minded exercise comes includes two employees who started working out together a year ago at a leading manufacturing client site. The two men don't consider themselves workout buddies, but instead call each other accountability partners. This accountability between one another has resulted in them participating in every challenge since in the last year. Their peer support and accountability has also had another amazing impact — together they have lost an amazing 66 pounds!
Another example includes our HealthFitness team running a women on weights program at two client sites. The program creates a safe space for women who are not comfortable lifting weights to learn correct form and develop autonomy with weight training. The program has been very successful and has grown to include men to be more inclusive.
A third example of community-minded fitness trend is happening within our clients’ broader communities as well, with our client Cardinal Health in Dublin, Ohio, who sponsored the Dublin Chamber Corporate Charity Cup community fundraiser to boost awareness and highlight Cardinal Health as an employer of choice.
The HealthFitness team supported the event, where employees from area businesses competed in fitness and recreational challenges to promote employee wellness and community involvement.
This year’s team included 75 Cardinal Health employees who competed in 21 events including physical activity, sport events, and recreational challenges. Events included relay races, volleyball, kickball, cornhole, bingo, even a paper airplane contest.
Our HealthFitness team encourages participation from the employee base promoting there is an activity for everyone — and volunteering is also an option! They had the strongest showing comprising 19 percent of the 400 participants. Not only did this showcase Cardinal Health, but the company tied for second place and donated to the American Heart Association.
This is a fitting example of how community support — and supporting a community — motivates and benefits all involved.
Learn more!
Community-minded exercise is a top fitness trend for 2024! Learn about the other trends that will shape corporate fitness in 2024.
Connect with us to for a no obligation meeting.
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Written by HealthFitness
HealthFitness is a proven leader in providing fitness solutions that engage and connect people both on-site and online, to create a strong community of health.
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