Not sure if a workplace fitness challenge could work for your organisation? The benefits might not be immediately obvious, but over time you will notice an improved sense of cohesion within your teams.
While some will jump at the challenge, others might need a little persuasion, and there will always be some hold outs that cannot be convinced. This is to be expected in an office environment, and it’s far better to make the challenge completely voluntary rather than trying to push people into participating.
There are widespread benefits to be enjoyed for both employers and employees, and it helps to publicise these benefits to encourage sign ups. From an employer’s perspective, there are also ways that your workplace culture can be transformed by something as simple as a shared fitness goal. Let’s look at these benefits in a little more detail…
Fosters a sense of camaraderie
Working together towards a shared fitness goal like a long distance cycle ride will help to foster a strong sense of camaraderie. If you’re looking for a way to create cohesion within teams, this can be a simple way to break down divisions and encourage everyone to get to know one another.
Working together towards a shared goal will allow individuals to spend time together outside of the workplace. This is not just great for existing teams, but also for blending different departments. If workers don’t usually have a chance to mix in the workplace, then a fitness challenge could provide the perfect space for them to mix and mingle.
Improves communication
With fitness challenges like long distance cycling, communication is everything. Teams must learn to work as one unit, navigating and setting the pace together. No one gets to speed ahead and “win” the race, as the idea is to cross the finish line together. With no glory on the line, teams have to learn how to ride to the ability of the slowest rider.
This can help to improve communication between teams and ensure everyone is open and honest about their needs from moment to moment. This can easily translate into the workplace, as riders will learn more about communication styles and how best to work with each other.
Develops trust
Trust is essential for a cohesive team environment. But trust needs to be earned through actions and consistency. The good news is that trust earned outside of work will translate into professional scenarios. This means that trust earned during the training process will help to foster a strong sense of trust between colleagues in the workplace.
Team members will need to train together, and this will often require planning and consistency. The simple act of showing up for a training session can go a long way in helping to develop trust.
Reduces stress
Exercising can help to reduce stress levels, which will have a positive impact on the mood in the office, and on personal lives. Stress can manifest in unproductive ways in a work environment, leaving people feeling more irritable and short tempered. One bad mood has a way of souring the mood in the entire office.
One of the easiest ways to reduce stress is by increasing exercise levels, and training for a shared goal with your coworkers is a great way to achieve this. Training doesn’t have to end with the race; it could become an annual event, or it simply creates the foundations for more fitness-based team building activities.
Aids staff retention and recruitment
Organisations that plan fun activities together provide more than just a job and a salary. These workplaces provide genuine friendship, support, and engagement. This can be incredibly helpful for improving staff retention, as workers are much more likely to stick around in a role where they know their coworkers and they are able to have fun at work.
It can also be a helpful hiring tool, as workers are more likely to recommend the company to their friends. It can also be an attractive selling point for prospective hires and can add an extra dimension to the hiring process.
Final thoughts
If you’re on the fence about introducing a shared fitness goal into the workplace, you could start small to gauge interest. Get the team together for an afternoon bike ride on the weekend and pitch the idea from there. You could even sign up for a group spin class to try out the concept away from the open road.
You might be surprised to learn that your team is actively looking for ways to become more active, and cycling is an excellent way to achieve your fitness goals. Gently coax individuals to push themselves out of their comfort zone and achieve something incredible together. You’ll soon find that an annual fitness challenge becomes a workplace essential.
