2017 Fujairah Run, Op-Ed - Charles Sultan

When most people think about corporate offices or workplaces, fitness is not necessarily the first thing that comes to mind. Many of my colleagues spend our days sitting at our desks looking at computer screens, and a few even eat their lunch at their desks.

- Fredrik Jonsson

However, encouraging fitness in the workplace is tremendously beneficial for both companies and employees. The endorphins released during exercise mean staff have more self-confidence and energy, they have more of a positive attitude when at work, and they are less stressed too. It is for this reason that employers play such a crucial role in helping to facilitate positive health changes.

Fit employees are also much less likely to get sick – with the weather in the UAE going from high forties to the ice-cold air-conditioned offices, those who don’t look after themselves and exercise regularly are far more likely to fall ill. Encouraging exercise amongst staff could not only lead to a fall in the number of people calling in sick, it could also have an effect on long-term absenteeism too.