71% of French people report engaging in physical activity, which is 17 points higher than twelve years ago. However, sedentary lifestyles continue to heavily impact public health.
"The real challenge is no longer just about exercising occasionally, but rather about incorporating movement into daily life," explains Jennifer Sitruk, Executive Director for France and Belgium at Egym Wellpass.
While more people are signing up for sports activities, nearly 75% of them do not meet the daily recommendations for walking or physical activity. This situation contributes to numerous health issues. According to the National Observatory of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior, regular practice can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 30%, certain cancers by 25%, and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by 40%.
However, knowing the benefits of sports is not always enough to change our habits. "As with many prevention topics, we know what we should do, but we tend to procrastinate," observes Jennifer Sitruk.
Thus, it is essential to find the activity that suits each individual. For this, companies play an increasingly important role. Beyond their obligations regarding health and safety at work, they can directly influence the well-being of their employees.
Reducing absenteeism, improving quality of life at work, attracting talent, and preventing psychosocial risks are just a few of the many benefits. "The visionary HR manager is one who sees the health of their employees as a true strategic prevention issue," believes Jennifer Sitruk.
This understanding is precisely the foundation of the Egym Wellpass model. Inspired by the restaurant voucher system, the solution allows employers to subsidize access to a vast network of sports activities. Today, the company boasts over 6,000 partners, 300 activities, and nearly 800,000 users.
While 40% of users did not engage in any sports activities before signing up, they report an average of 50% more physical activity two years later.
Beyond sports, Egym Wellpass has also launched the "Level Up HR" community, aimed at HR professionals to facilitate peer exchanges on their daily challenges and experiences.
Physical activity has thus become a genuine topic of prevention, management, and sustainable performance. This issue is expected to grow as companies seek to balance employee health with attractiveness.
