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Should Exercise Be Compulsory at Work?

  • April 05, 2017

The fact that the world is in the midst of an obesity epidemic has become so concerning that some companies are actually contemplating making exercise a mandatory part of your job, BBC.com reports. Boosting the idea, a Bristol University study showed that employees who can exercise during the work hours “are more productive, happy, efficient and calm.”

While mandating exercise as part of your job may seem a bit extreme, it might not be such a bad idea, as close to 80 percent of U.S. adults do not get enough exercise. What would be better is that employers everywhere offered workers a gym and the chance to exercise (something I personally offer my own employees), rather than relegating them to desks or factory production lines with barely a break for lunch.

Certainly, this would help prevent employee sickness and absence, if nothing else, as exercise may help you recover from chronic health conditions, including osteoarthritis, stroke and cancer. It also boosts levels of potent brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, which may help buffer some of the effects of stress and feelings of happiness whether on the job or off.

It’s been shown that once people recognize the connection that exercise has to their emotional health, they actually look forward to working out, and enjoy it.

To get the most out of your workouts, I recommend a comprehensive program that includes high-intensity interval exercise, strength training (especially super slow workouts), stretching and core work, along with walking about 10,000 steps a day. I’m also a huge proponent of standing desks, which can get you out of your chair and moving while you work.