http://www.preceptgroup.com/blog/2009/the-wii-fit-phenomenon-encouraging-employees-to-stay-healthy-in-a-tough-economy/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-wii-fit-phenomenon-encouraging-employees-to-stay-healthy-in-a-tough-economy An insider's perspective on employee benefit programs and the issues that affect employers most. Sun, 01 Aug 2010 12:03:04 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://www.preceptgroup.com/blog/2009/the-wii-fit-phenomenon-encouraging-employees-to-stay-healthy-in-a-tough-economy/#comment-40 Nichole Fitlin Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://webdev.preceptgroup.com/blog/?p=2651#comment-40 While I agree with your suggestion for employees to save money and for employers to encourage less expensive ways of exercising, I also find that any effort that an individual is willing to make in order to exercise is a benefit to an employer. With financially educated employees who manage their personal budgets effectively, I personally think that an investment in a Wii Fit can potentially be rewarding. Although statistics will show that a person is likely to make a purchase that they will rarely use, even if it is a rare occasion it may just be more of an effort than one would make otherwise. Isn't this what we would want people to do? At least the Wii Fit will be there for the moments of one's hectic day to be able to use when they can get in some sort of physical activity. While I agree with your suggestion for employees to save money and for employers to encourage less expensive ways of exercising, I also find that any effort that an individual is willing to make in order to exercise is a benefit to an employer. With financially educated employees who manage their personal budgets effectively, I personally think that an investment in a Wii Fit can potentially be rewarding. Although statistics will show that a person is likely to make a purchase that they will rarely use, even if it is a rare occasion it may just be more of an effort than one would make otherwise. Isn’t this what we would want people to do? At least the Wii Fit will be there for the moments of one’s hectic day to be able to use when they can get in some sort of physical activity.

]]> http://www.preceptgroup.com/blog/2009/the-wii-fit-phenomenon-encouraging-employees-to-stay-healthy-in-a-tough-economy/#comment-43 Cliff Junio Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 +0000 http://webdev.preceptgroup.com/blog/?p=2651#comment-43 I certainly would not recommend the purchase of a Wii for the sole purpose of exercise. If that were the only way to motivate a person to get off the sofa then by all means go out and get one. Heck, get two! Purchase a Wii because it will stimulate the mind a bit (very little), maybe even the economy, but please don't consider it an exercise tool. Change is very difficult. With the incidence of diabetes hitting the younger population, the average belt size increasing year over year, rising health care costs, etc., we simply just have to get serious about our health. We all need to be proactive rather than reactive, so make it a habit to go on that simple thirty minute walk every day (by the way, I once read a study that suggested a habit forms after an action is repeated at least twenty-six consecutive times). So put down the controller, grab the kid(s), dog, neighbor, or the tunes and get out there and have a nice, fun, walk. It may seem difficult at first, but try it for a month and notice how much better you'll feel. Who knows? Maybe you might realize exercise can be fun too. I certainly would not recommend the purchase of a Wii for the sole purpose of exercise. If that were the only way to motivate a person to get off the sofa then by all means go out and get one. Heck, get two! Purchase a Wii because it will stimulate the mind a bit (very little), maybe even the economy, but please don’t consider it an exercise tool. Change is very difficult. With the incidence of diabetes hitting the younger population, the average belt size increasing year over year, rising health care costs, etc., we simply just have to get serious about our health. We all need to be proactive rather than reactive, so make it a habit to go on that simple thirty minute walk every day (by the way, I once read a study that suggested a habit forms after an action is repeated at least twenty-six consecutive times). So put down the controller, grab the kid(s), dog, neighbor, or the tunes and get out there and have a nice, fun, walk. It may seem difficult at first, but try it for a month and notice how much better you’ll feel. Who knows? Maybe you might realize exercise can be fun too.

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