Edward Charles & Partners’ Post

In recent years, I’ve seen a lot of corporations encourage fitness programs, San Jose's Western Digital went the extra mile. They put state-of-the-art gym facilities in their Bay Area headquarters. Not just basic gyms - FULL CrossFit setups with trainers. Their thinking was that if you can do 50 pull-ups, there's no deal you can't close, no challenge you can't overcome. The result was that their teams got stronger, more competitive, more driven. Fitness creates community.  Sparks friendly competition.  Gets people excited about coming to work. I'm seeing it everywhere now, especially the Bay Area where I live. Companies competing for top talent put serious investment into their fitness spaces. It’s widely known that healthy, motivated teams perform better. Many studies have shown that the parts of the brain that control thinking and memory are larger in people who exercise. This means that the culture of high performance professionally is intrinsically tied to high performance physically. The best people want to work where they can grow in all ways. Companies all want what Western Digital figured out years ago - strong people building strong companies. Does your company have a gym or at least provide a stipend for a gym membership? If so, how has it changed your workplace? Bonus question: how many pull-ups can you do?? 💪

How to Foster a Culture of Fitness in Your Organization Did you know that companies with strong health and fitness programs report up to a 65% lower employee turnover rate? As a passionate advocate for wellness, I've seen firsthand how fostering a culture of fitness within an organization can drive not just health benefits, but substantial business outcomes as well. Creating a culture of fitness isn’t just about providing gym memberships or organizing weekly yoga sessions. It’s about integrating wellness into the very fabric of your organization. At Apex Vitals, we've implemented several strategies that have not only boosted our team's health but also their productivity and morale. Lead by Example As leaders, our actions speak louder than words. By actively participating in wellness activities, leaders can inspire their teams to follow suit. I make it a point to join in on group workouts and share my fitness journey, which encourages my team to prioritize their health. Personalize Wellness Programs Understanding that one size does not fit all is crucial. We provide personalized fitness plans and nutritional advice that cater to individual needs, which has significantly increased participation and satisfaction among our employees. Foster a Supportive Environment A culture of fitness thrives in an environment that supports it. We’ve made it a priority to create spaces that encourage active breaks and social interactions around health topics. This not only keeps our team engaged but also fosters a sense of community. Regular Feedback and Adaptation Feedback is vital for improvement. We regularly gather insights from our team on how to enhance our wellness initiatives. This adaptive approach ensures our programs evolve to meet the changing needs of our team. By integrating these practices, we've not only seen an improvement in our team's health but also a boost in overall job satisfaction and performance. The key is to make fitness a core part of your company’s identity, not just an optional perk. I’d love to hear how you are integrating fitness into your company culture. Share your experiences or thoughts below! #HealthInBusiness #CorporateWellness #LeadershipInFitness

One thing that separates the good from the great in the gym business: Customer experience. This was central to Life Time Inc.'s success early on. We didn't just build gyms; we built experiences. And I have to shout out my good friend Mike Brown for this. He developed the company's Customer Experience Matrix. This went way beyond anything else in the industry at the time: → Beautiful spaces that felt like resorts → Staff training programs via the Life Time University → A range of classes to cater to diverse interests and needs And of course, it worked. Life Time members were willing to pay a premium for a premium experience. The club really became a Third Place. Today, the industry has caught up to this vision, to a certain extent. Gyms like Equinox and the a lot of the boutiques know that customers will pay extra for an experience that feels special. You better believe we’re bringing that premium experience mindset to Nexgen MD 360. Our program goes beyond the medication into a holistic wellness experience. One that empowers people to take FULL control of their health and transform their lives. — So let me ask you this: Is your gym just a bunch of machines in a badly lit box? Or is it a community, a club, a third place, where people feel like individuals and not just a credit card number? Are you an experience or a commodity? That's the question every gym owner needs to be asking themselves.

At Bio Fit we have a saying “Culture > (is greater than) Community”. Not because community isn’t important but because it’s a term that our industry has begun to use insincerely over time. Ultimately all group fitness gyms will grow a community, but often this term is used before a community is established, therefore suggesting that something exists for the benefit of growing a business just doesn’t sit right with us. This is why at Bio Fit we prefer to talk about our culture. Before you open your doors you can establish a culture, set standards and integrate this into your “business” systems. From this grows a community with the values you stand for and ultimately this creates a business that reflects your “why”, and hopefully in an industry entrusted (literally) with people’s lives, that “why” has integrity. Do this and the business growth and reward will follow! VIDEO by Riot Media Shannon Dowling CULTURE by Bio Fit In this clip more than 100 of our crew took part in our ‘Bio Fit You V You Throwdown’ a fitness test that bookends one of our 8 week training blocks. Because of the culture we nurture our community has grown to be a very special thing; a group of very different people, with different baseline fitness and motivations with a common goal of bettering themselves while encouraging and supporting others. THIS. IS. BIO FIT.

The ROI of Corporate Fitness Programs: A Game-Changer for Businesses Imagine slashing your company’s healthcare costs while boosting employee productivity. 📊 Here’s how a well-implemented corporate fitness program makes that possible. Companies that invest in employee wellness see remarkable returns: lower healthcare costs, fewer sick days, and enhanced employee performance. Statistics reveal that well-fit employees are not only less likely to get sick but also more likely to perform at peak levels due to better health and morale. Key strategies for launching a successful corporate fitness program include: -𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: Support from top management is crucial for encouraging widespread participation. -𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆: Provide different types of fitness activities to cater to diverse preferences and fitness levels. -𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀: Regularly share success stories and health improvements within the company to motivate ongoing participation. Integrating fitness into your corporate culture isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment in your most valuable asset: your employees. The returns extend far beyond the balance sheet, enhancing every aspect of your business operations. Would you like more info on how we can help your team?! Fill out this quick form and we will be in touch! https://lnkd.in/gKgqxgUn Shelby Trained

The ROI of Corporate Fitness Programs: A Game-Changer for Businesses Imagine slashing your company’s healthcare costs while boosting employee productivity. 📊 Here’s how a well-implemented corporate fitness program makes that possible. Companies that invest in employee wellness see remarkable returns: lower healthcare costs, fewer sick days, and enhanced employee performance. Statistics reveal that well-fit employees are not only less likely to get sick but also more likely to perform at peak levels due to better health and morale. Key strategies for launching a successful corporate fitness program include: -𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: Support from top management is crucial for encouraging widespread participation. -𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆: Provide different types of fitness activities to cater to diverse preferences and fitness levels. -𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀: Regularly share success stories and health improvements within the company to motivate ongoing participation. Integrating fitness into your corporate culture isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment in your most valuable asset: your employees. The returns extend far beyond the balance sheet, enhancing every aspect of your business operations. Would you like more info on how we can help your team?! Fill out this quick form and we will be in touch! https://lnkd.in/gcr4K_TU Shelby Trained

What if you learned that team members who are frequently exposed to a common ingredient display greater vitality and willpower, are less stressed and depressed, have a greater desire to be compassionate and supportive of others, achieve a higher mental clarity, and become more energized both cognitively and emotionally when working. A litany of research supports the idea that when workers are frequently connected to nature and the natural world, they enjoy a host of benefits that enhance their well-being. Humans evolved in close connection to nature, and the desire to connect with the natural world exists in nearly everyone. Leaders and workplaces that create opportunities for team members to commune with nature help to energize their workforce and diminish the burnout commonly experienced by team members in fast-paced organizations. Good leaders understand the power of nature and encourage team members to spend as much time outdoors as possible. They often hold meetings and off-sites in close proximity to natural wonders so that team members can avail themselves of nature between sessions. They commonly reward team members with ski passes, rafting trips, biking and hiking excursions, surfing lessons, gardening demonstrations, and lakeside sports. They gather team members together in natural settings and make it a point to encourage stargazing, fishing, kayaking, camping, and park exploration. They know that the more time people spend outdoors and in nature, the healthier they become psychologically. Contact with nature recharges people and promotes a sense of connection to the larger world. The benefits are so enormous that many leaders bring the outdoors inside. In what is known as biophilic design, some enterprises work hard to bring natural elements indoors through rooftop terraces, living walls (where plants grow and spread down a surface), video screens depicting waterfalls and forests, and outdoor patios where people can congregate and enjoy the outdoor world between meetings. Given that people spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors, the more leaders push people to the outdoors, the better. How much nature is your team exposed to? In the presence of nature, the human spirit is fed and nurtured. Consider building in more exposure to the outdoors for your team. You might find it energizes everyone.

Do they train for aesthetics or for performance? As a gym owner, understanding the diverse needs of your members is crucial for creating an inclusive and effective fitness environment. In most gyms, there are two types of individuals: those who train for health and performance, and those who train for looks. Here’s a breakdown of these two groups and their distinct characteristics Training for Health and Performance: - Focus on functional exercises - Prioritize progressive overload and injury prevention - Holistic approach, including nutrition and recovery - Goals: improved health, athletic performance, and injury resilience Training for Looks: - Focus on aesthetics and isolation exercises - Less emphasis on progressive overload and injury prevention - Goals: physical appearance and social validation Impact on Gym Management: Having these two groups can impact gym management in the following ways: Equipment Allocation - Balance functional and isolation equipment to cater to both groups. - Ensure high-demand equipment is available during peak hours. Staffing and Training - Hire staff knowledgeable in functional training, nutrition, and recovery. - Provide ongoing training on aesthetics and posing techniques. Marketing Strategy - Develop campaigns appealing to both groups, highlighting facilities and community. - Showcase success stories and transformations on social media. Community Management - Foster a welcoming environment, encouraging social interaction and respect. - Address potential conflicts between groups, promoting empathy and understanding. Membership Structure - Offer flexible membership options catering to unique needs. - Provide add-on services like nutrition planning, recovery sessions, or posing classes. While these groups aren't mutually exclusive, finding a balance that works for your gym is key. By understanding the needs of both groups, you can create a welcoming environment that caters to diverse fitness goals and preferences.

One concept that constantly amuses me is “ controlled stress “ Natural systems respond beautifully to stress when it is controlled . At the gym we create microtrauma by breaking muscle fibre with progressive stress in a controlled environment .. the body responds with stronger muscle fibres This can be applied within teams also . If a task is currently being done by 10 folks , reduce the team size by 2 .. the remaining 8 will find ways to do the same task with lesser number of people . This will also expose unnecessary process steps which was being done simply because there were 10 people. This can be applied on any type of resource … cost .. infra etc . But there is thin difference between controlled stress and full blown stress … Reducing 2 from a team of 10 with a plan is controlled . Reducing 5 with no plan is full blown . Try it .. both at the gym and work place

How do you explain what it is ‘you do’? Goodwoof may not be the biggest project in our calendar, but it perfectly sums up the value of Collaborate. Only a creative experiential agency can take a human healthcare brand to a dog festival and find the link. Dog yoga, meditation & soundbathing. It’s madness. But it’s brilliant. Happy hounds, happy owners, a clever link back into the health of ourselves and our pets. So, Goodwoof is always my go to story when anyone asks what it is ‘I do’. Collaborate