Around 65% of men and 76% of women aged over 16 are not activite enough to meet the current national recommendation (30 minutes of activity on 5 days a week of moderate intensity activity).

The cost of this physical inactivity including the direct costs of treatment for major lifestyle related diseases and the indirect cost through sickness absence, has been estimated at £8.2 billion a year (Depart of Health 2004)

Some of the benefits of increasing the physical activity levels of your workforce include:

• Reduction in staff absence
• A happier and healthier workforce who are motivated and feel valued
• Increased productivity
• Improved corporate image
• Lower staff turnover
• A climate that facilitates change

Making the case and getting senior managers on board at the very start of will enure that you have the support needed to succeed

There are a range of tools available that will help you convince your employer that promoting physical activity is a great idea and investment

Here are a few that we recommend 

• Find out what people want - conduct a workplace survey

• Develop a Physical Activity Policy

• Plan your programme

• Implement a programme

• Setting up physical activity programmes