Offering the Fitbit wearable tracker to a wellness program really jumpstarts your efforts, says Indiana University Health Manager of Customer Success Marci Cooper.
Fitbit devices measure a variety of health related factors including, for example, steps per day, minutes active, and a variety of other measures depending on the device chosen. Fitbit is giving away 1500 Flexes at the HR Tech conference, taking place this week in Las Vegas.
The Fitbits are particularly effective in wellness programs, says Cooper, because they have a dual application—individual and group. Individually, they engage people by measuring and easily tracking certain health measures. Steps taken per day is the most frequently used. That individual engagement is important in itself, says Cooper, but the group aspect can be even more powerful. The presence of the Fitbits inspires informal social activity (Let’s all take a walk at lunch) and more organized activities (e.g., month-long step challenges between departments or locations). Her employees have enthusiastically embraced the programs, says Cooper, and they have health improvement statistics to back up the efficacy of the program.
HRTech continues through Wednesday.