What do you get when you give a bunch of health fanatics a LifeSpan treadmill desk? Exactly what you may think: a sign-up sheet for walking time, Fitbit step goals met daily, sneakers sitting in every cubicle, and some very happy and productive employees.
It goes to show that employees at Wellness Corporate Solutions (WCS) practice what they preach by promoting wellness programs at work. As a nationwide provider of comprehensive wellness programming and biometric screenings for businesses, WCS attracts people for whom fitness is not a goal, but a way of life. Employees share a common interest in being happy and healthy no matter the location or situation. WCS believes so strongly in the services they provide that they literally walk the walk,
and their treadmill desks help make this lifestyle a daily reality with a workplace fitness program.
I was very excited to have the opportunity to use the treadmill desk when I started at WCS,
said Whitney Kolakowski, an intern at WCS. I was a little intimated that I wouldn’t be able to get my work done, but after a few trial runs, I found I was able to have better concentration while working in motion and felt way more productive.
This seems to be the case for many employees when they first lay eyes on one of the treadmill desks. Much like walking while chewing gum, walking while working takes practice. Since the speed is adjustable, it’s always a good idea to start with slow strides and small intervals for the first few sessions. After you get the hang of it, you’ll never want to stop—just ask WCS’s own Energizer bunny, Juliet Rodman, Chief Wellness Officer.
My minimum is 10,000 [steps] a day,
said Rodman. I feel great when I’m walking and it makes me more energized.
Upon the move to their current office in 2014, Rodman explained that the treadmill desks were purchased to build the foundation of their corporate office culture—a bit of an if you build it they will come
mentality that worked.
Before we moved here,
Rodman reminisced, I had an elliptical in my office, but it greatly limited how much work I could do, I could only read. When I found out about the treadmill desks I was very enthusiastic to add them to our office. It doesn’t get better than this!
WCS’s latest addition was a treadmill desk for its informatics team. Since they deal with personal health information, their area is secure and separate from the rest of the building, which until now, meant limited access to a treadmill desk. So, that problem had to be solved.
We got [the treadmill desk] about three weeks ago, and it was definitely a pleasant surprise. I came back from my holiday and there it was!
exclaimed Affaf Hasan, Data Specialist. I’ve also found it’s a great way to walk off a big meal, burn extra calories and be more conscious of your body.
Hasan also noted the addition of monitors at each company treadmill desk has been beneficial for her team. Since all the treadmill desks have monitors for you to hook into, it makes my work easier since we need two screens to work.
Inclusion is a huge part of the wellness of all WCS employees, whether they’re in a different area of the building or even working remotely. Having common goals and fun activities to partake in together has built the office comradery.
We like to make wellness programs at work fun for both our clients and our own staff,
said Rachel Cooper, Senior Program Manager, who implemented WCS’s internal wellness program called EnergEEE last year. The three E’s stand for Educate, Engage, Empower, and are values that WCS stands by. Cooper even created a step challenge though the EnergEEE program this February to get the office moving.
We had a month long step-challenge in February to inspire physical activity when the weather was less than desirable to be active outdoors,
said Cooper. The treadmill desks were key and everyone had a blast.
WCS’s office may be an exception to the average work environment, but they also hope it sets the bar for other companies who want to promote wellness programs at work. Some of their other health-focused amenities include adjustable sit/stand desks, salad Fridays, fitness membership subsidies, wellness challenges, a casual dress code, office showers, flexible remote working options, onsite biometric screenings, midday walk breaks, and more. WCS is proud to offer a positive and healthy culture and hopes that they can inspire others to do the same.
