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 to exercise occasionally, but to incorporate movement into our daily lives,” explains Jennifer Sitruk, Executive Director for France and Belgium at EGYM Wellpass.
More and more people are signing up for sports activities. Yet, nearly 75% of French people do not meet the recommended 10,000 steps per day. This situation contributes to numerous health issues. According to the National Observatory of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior, regular physical activity can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 30%, the risk of 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.
It is therefore essential to find the activity that suits each individual. In this regard, 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.
The benefits are numerous: reduced absenteeism, improved quality of life at work, attractiveness to candidates, and prevention of psychosocial risks. “The visionary HR manager is one who sees the health of their employees as a true strategic prevention issue,” believes Jennifer Sitruk.
The EGYM Wellpass model is precisely based on this observation. The solution is inspired by the functioning of meal vouchers: it allows employers to subsidize access to a vast network of sports activities. Today, EGYM Wellpass boasts over 6,000 partners, 300 activities, and nearly 800,000 users.
Before signing up, 40% of users did not engage in any sports activities. Two years later, users report an average increase of 50% in their physical activity.
Beyond sports, EGYM Wellpass has also launched the “Level Up HR” community. This community allows HR professionals to exchange ideas with peers about their daily challenges and share their experiences.
Physical activity is now recognized as a significant issue for prevention, management, and sustainable performance. This challenge is expected to continue to grow as companies seek to balance the health of their employees with their attractiveness.
