FITNESS-
FRIENDLY COMPANIES

Area businesses promote
healthy, active lifestyles
for their employees

By LYDIA RUEGER

You know what they say about all work and no play ... but what about all work and no exercise? Many companies have a lot to say about it and are doing a lot about it. Why? “Because a healthy work force is a better work force,” explains Karen Newman, dean of the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver. “Employers want their employees to look forward to coming to work, and providing physical fitness opportunities is a good motivator.”

According to a recent survey by the Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition Program Worksite Task Force, about 30 percent of Denver metro businesses provide employee wellness programs. We focused on eight employers to give you an overview of what’s available.

With health care costs rising and increased attention to obesity-related diseases, the availability of such a program might just be a deal-breaker or maker the next time you’re in the job market.

COORS BREWING COMPANY
www.coors.com
Twenty-five years ago, Coors Brewing Company executive Bill Coors consulted his doctor after continually feeling tired and generally ill. The doctors told Bill there was nothing wrong — he simply needed exercise.

As a result, the company built the Coors Wellness Center at the entrance to the brewery. Today, the center, which includes a gym, a track, massage availability, health classes and more, is well known by many professionals as the standard for workplace wellness.

In December, Coors earned an award from the Institute of Health and Productivity Management recognizing the company for an increase in productivity as a result of its employees’ improved health status. (Productivity aside, even company retirees can work out there for free.)

In 2004, Coors expanded its facilities to include an occupational health service line, including an on-site physical therapy clinic. Employees also have a chance to reduce their medical insurance costs by coming up with a plan to improve their health, increasing their activity and logging their progress online.

KAISER PERMANENTE
www.kaiserpermanente.org
As a health care provider, Kaiser offers many programs to improve the health and fitness culture of other workplaces, and the same goes for its employees. “We realized we needed to walk the walk if we expected others to do it,” says Jacque Montgomery, Colorado media representative for Kaiser.

As part of the KP Be Well program, staff members have tracked and increased their steps with pedometers,
participated in nutrition challenges and actually gotten paid to lose weight or body fat. The company has filled its vending machines with healthier options and is working with coffee cart vendors to do the same. There are farmers markets at certain locations, yoga instructors hired to hold classes and exercise rooms in most of Kaiser’s 26 area locations.

THE INTEGER GROUP
www.integerdenver.com
As the Integer Group’s company Web site so eloquently states, “If you can think of a sport or hobby (that’s not illegal), there’s a good chance somebody here does it. In fact, we probably have a team for it.” The employees of this advertising agency participate in a variety of company-sponsored teams, including dodge ball, soccer, ice and floor hockey, softball and bowling.

Individuals have formed walking groups, and about 30 people participate in Ride the Rockies each year, a weeklong bicycle tour. The company does not have a gym but negotiated a discount at Bally’s Total Fitness across the street.

“We are focused on delivering a creative product for our clients, and we need to do things to revive those creative juices,” says Reyna Alishio, senior VP of account services.

MERRICK & COMPANY
www.merrick.com
This engineering company prides itself in offering a “flexible schedule for whatever is needed, so long as it can be worked out from a business perspective,” says Debbie Norris, vice president of human resources. While such flexibility is often needed for family obligations, it allows time to train for triathlons, too. And many do, Norris says.

They support Bike to Work Day each June, providing T-shirts and breakfast for participating employees. There’s also a gym with showers, sports teams and an annual snow day when the company rents a bus and goes to Copper Mountain.

SUN MICROSYSTEMS
www.sun.com/colorado
Finding time to exercise during a busy workday can be difficult, but Sun has a program to help employees create a better balance between work and life. Employees can get assistance with tasks such as getting oil changes, making travel arrangements, purchasing gifts, etc., that can take time out of the day.

Ideally, once the employees have more time, they’ll be able to take advantage of the technology company’s workout facility and many programs. There’s also a Sun Wellness Web site (internal to the company only) where employees can find health information and learn about health care issues and costs.

Discount coupons for a variety of activities are available, including skating at the Sun Ice Centre, located near their Broomfield and Louisville offices.

CITY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
www.denvergov.org/wellness
Corrine Freese, wellness program manager for the city and county of Denver, admits that fitness facilities for government employees are typically not a priority. “It takes time, because if people see it in government, they think that’s where their tax dollars are going,” says Freese.

However, she says she noticed a shift in mentality when Mayor Hickenlooper took office. This, along with rising health care costs following Sept. 11, spurred the city to open a wellness center in the lower level of the Webb Municipal Building in 2002. Employees pay, but rates are more affordable than many public fitness centers. “The idea was that people would be more apt to work out if they didn’t have to stop somewhere else,” Freese says.

In addition to working out, employees can get health assessments and participate in a wellness incentive program. Two other city facilities exist at the Denver International Airport and the Wastewater Management Division, 2000 W. Third Ave.

REI
www.rei.com
Sure, employees of this well-known recreational equipment retailer get discounts on the latest outdoor gear, but that’s just the beginning. During each employee’s training, part of the time is spent on a hike or a service project. “This emphasizes REI’s interest in our staff being active,” says Mark Guebert- Steward, special events administrator at the Denver flagship store.

Employees get discounted ski passes, free use of all rental gear, open climbing on the indoor climbing wall after store hours and opportunities to test new products like kayaks and skis. With Employee Challenge Grants, employees are provided with REI gear and apparel while working on personal outdoor fitness goals.

In addition, each REI store (four area locations) coordinates service projects that reinforce REI’s commitment to outdoor activities, such as improving hiking trails.

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
www.du.edu
Karen Newman says DU definitely prioritizes active lifestyles, a trend that she believes has picked up speed in the past five years. DU’s Ritchie Center complex, with its large workout area, squash, racquetball
and tennis courts, personal training studios, ice-skating rink, climbing wall and swimming pool, is a benefit
that’s available to all university faculty, staff and students.

It even seems the importance of an active lifestyle is changing how education is crafted. In DU’s new MBA curriculum, one-quarter of the program focuses on volunteer work. “We believe it is a first that a curriculum actually focuses on making a difference in the world, and physical fitness is certainly part of that,” Newman says. “You can’t make a difference in the world if you are not healthy.”