ICON promotes health and fitness for employees
Jennifer Brennan, Assistant Features Editor
ICON, the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of home and fitness equipment, is also producing health and fitness among its 4,8000 employees, many of whom are Utah State University students.
“The healthier we are, the better we feel. Hopefully, we are more productive,” said Douglas Younker, director of human resources.
In December, ICON received an award from Gov. Mike Leavitt for promoting health and fitness among its employees with the Personal Wellness Program, which was begun in 1994.
“I personally know a lot of (employees) get excited when we do something different,” said Tara Smith, health promoter coordinator.
The program includes a wellness screening, held once a week for employees. The employees have the opportunity at the screening to get their blood pressure, weight, percentage of body fat and cholesterol count checked.
Gwen Jessop, executive assistant at ICON, has participated in the Personal Wellness Program and weekly wellness screenings. She said she’s seen employees benefit from it.
“It gives them more in common as well as an incentive to stay fit and work out more often,” Jessop said.
Employees who participate in the program also keep logs of their daily nutrition and fitness, and can earn points to redeem for prizes like jackets or cash. They receive one point for each week of participation or for working out for at least 30 minutes. Employees who participate in a physical activity three times a week get double points.
In the nutrition log, one point is scored each day for meeting four out of six nutrition guidelines. The six guidelines include eating five fruits or vegetables, whole grains, fish or poultry, vitamin supplements and avoiding soda or caffeine and fast food.
“They give you such a variety of things you can do. As long as you eat one of these but not one of these, you get points,” said Don Jensen, a member of the facility maintenance crew.
ICON also brings in more than 20 guest speakers for an annual health fair it hosts as part of the program, Smith said.
“We hope to achieve healthy lifestyles among our employees and show the importance of health and physical activity,” Smith said.