Get Paid to Exercise

Have you ever thought that if you made as much money as 
J. Lo or Russell Crowe that you could spend more time 
exercising? After all, they virtually get paid to exercise to 
keep their bodies Hollywood ready. Would you exercise 
more if you got paid to? What if I told you that you can and 
do get paid to exercise?

Okay, so no one will pay you or I each time we get on the 
elliptical trainer (darn it). Most of us are not in line for a 4 
year, $32 million contract. But have you ever thought about 
the payback that you do receive? Corporations know the 
financial benefits of exercise and the savvy ones implement 
corporate fitness programs. These companies have 
documented results on reduced absenteeism, reduced 
turnover, reduced health care costs and improved 
productivity.

If companies reap these benefits, think about how that 
applies to you as an individual. How much more productive 
(translate “earn more money”) could you be in your business 
or at work? How much less sick time would you need, that 
you could put to use in work or even play? How much 
happier would you be and how much more fun to be around? 
One company showed a $6.15 return for every $1 it spent on 
corporate fitness. What could being more fit mean to your 
pocket book?

You know exercise can prevent a myriad of diseases, but 
have you thought about what that means financially? The 
premiums for health and life insurance go up dramatically 
simply for elevated cholesterol and blood pressure levels. 
With further deteriorations in health, you might not even be 
able to get insured. Simply being in good health can save 
you thousands of dollars per year. When you also consider 
co-pays and prescriptions it adds up to big money out of 
your pocket.

If what they say is true, time is money, then time spent in 
doctors’ offices and being sick or disabled also cuts into your 
personal profits. So the next time you think you can’t afford 
the time to exercise, think again. You can’t afford not to!