Archive for June, 2009
Winston Salem Gyms:Personal Development – Mind Over Muscle
June 20th, 2009 by Winston Salem, under Fitness Tips. No Comments
I started a gym membership recently and it’s been great to finally get back out there and work on the physical “me”. It’s very satisfying to work on yourself knowing that the outcome will be a better body, capable of so much more, able to leap taller buildings (so to speak). Maybe even to overcome more adversity, think more clearly, make better decisions. It got me to thinking that physical health ties in to mental health more than most people know.
So how does that work? Well for a start, if you feel better about yourself, then you’re more likely to be thinking positively and be making moves in the right direction. We are emotional beings and we ‘feel’ stuff all day long; it’s either going to be positive or negative feelings. If we’re physically ‘feeling’ in a negative place because we have no energy, we’re overweight, feeling sick etc. chances are that our mental ‘feelings’ will also be negative. It works the other way around too; imagine you’re the jilted lover who turns to food or just goes to bed for a week after the terrible feeling of rejection – that awful pit in your stomach – mentally negative thoughts can affect how you feel physically.
When all the motivational speakers in the world talk about the power of positive thinking, it’s a good thing to look from the holistic perspective. It’s going to be just a little bit harder to achieve those positive thoughts if you’re not feeling good in other ways. That could be helped by physical exercise, eating well, drinking more water, or even just putting your physical self into some nice surroundings – go to your favourite place and soak up the atmosphere (even if it’s just in your mind) and those happy physical feelings will translate into positive thoughts and good vibes.
All it takes is to do more things that make you feel good, whatever those things are. Do the things that make you feel happy, do the things that make you feel healthy. Mental happiness will help the physical, and in turn physical health will help your thoughts. At the end of the day you need to look after No.1 by deciding on and focusing on what makes YOU feel good.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1186901
Tags: exercise, Gym, muscle, winston salem gyms
Winston Salem Gyms:A good credit score a must for loans
June 19th, 2009 by Winston Salem, under Fitness Tips. No Comments
The majority of us will have already acquired some form of credit score without knowing it. You obtain a credit score if you borrow money or pay money through your bank; this could be a mobile phone bill, gym membership or even a credit card. By using any of these you will have acquired a credit score, depending on how you dealt with the payments depends on the quality of your score.
This score will determine whether you buy the car you want or even help you obtain your first mortgage so you are best looking after it and optimising it where possible. Here are a few tips to help you achieve that desirable good credit score.
Pay your bills on time. Doing so proves you can handle regular repayments which make the lender’s decision a lot easier. If you expect to miss a payment then contact whoever you are paying and arrange to pay them the following month.
Do not go knocking on every lender’s door if you are refused credit. Every time you are refused for credit it is marked on your score; future lenders will see that you have been repeatedly refused and will follow suit.
Check for mistakes on your credit report by requesting a copy of it. You can obtain a copy by contacting companies such as Equifax or Experian. Check for any duplicate entries as these will harm your credit score.
By following these basic tips you will improve your position when applying for a loan and you will receive more competitive rates.
When borrowing money, whether it is in the form of a secured loan, unsecured loan, payday loan or even a mortgage it will heavily depend on your credit score. Compare loans from the main providers to find the most competitive quotes.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1189232
Tags: Gym, winston salem gyms
Winston Salem Gyms:All work and no play makes for a dull student!
June 18th, 2009 by Winston Salem, under Fitness Tips. No Comments
If you make the most of it, student life can be great. Not only do you get your first taste of independence, but there’s also an amazing opportunity to meet new people. The experiences you gain as a student stay with you for life and go towards shaping your future path.
Although many believe partying forms a large part of a student’s curriculum, in reality you are expected to work hard and often have tight deadlines to meet. From the moment you arrive, demands are high, with many courses requiring you to spend any ‘free’ time conducting research in the library or completing assignments.
And, as you progress throughout your course, you will find that the opportunity to socialise becomes less frequent, whilst the workload rises. Of course, you are studying and therefore expectations are that you have to work hard to earn your qualifications.
However, all work and no play makes for a dull student. That’s why it can be a good idea to make sure you take some time out and indulge in a bit of extra-curricular activity. This is especially important since a lot of studying requires individual effort and it’s essential to interact with other people, not least to maintain your sanity!
While heading to the pub is a popular pastime, there are many other things you can do to create a bit of excitement, as well as making friends. For example, why not round a group of likeminded people together and find some student games to participate in? It may be hard in the beginning, but if you put your mind to it, there are loads of activities which don’t involve downing mixed shots of alcohol.
Take ten pin bowling for instance. A fun way to wile away a few hours in the company of friends, bowling is a great student game. For the competitive spirited of you, you can challenge your fellow team mates to a bit of friendly competition, whilst at the same time saving money on gym membership by taking advantage of the calorie-burning exercise it induces!
If you look around, there are some attractive group deals available, which include things like shoe hire, food and drinks, meaning you don’t have to blow the student budget. And, for those who cannot bear to be away from the pub for too long, most centres come with a bar.
The other advantage of going ten pin bowling is that there are usually a range of other games and activities for people to do. For instance, many offer such things as amusement arcades, pool tables and even laser gun arenas.
Ten pin bowling is just one example of the many student games you can play. So, why not use your imagination and give the pub a miss the next time you plan to go out?
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1189419
Tags: exercise, Gym, winston salem gyms
Winston Salem Gyms:Getting More Out of Your Health Insurance Policy
June 17th, 2009 by Winston Salem, under Health Tips. No Comments
What do you really know about your health insurance plan? If you have one, have you really looked at the extras that come with the policy? If you don’t have one, and are shopping around, you should take a closer look. Many insurance companies have extras that can help you get more out our your policy.
Wellness Programs
Many policies have what they call wellness programs. The idea behind these programs is to encourage you to do things that will keep you well and healthy. Here’s a look at some of the things that such a program may offer.
Weight Loss Programs
Have some extra weight you need to get rid of? From Weight Watchers to Jenny Craig, your health insurance company may be willing to help you out a bit with some of the costs involved with trying to get that extra weight off and get your body back in the shape it needs to be in.
The reason health insurance companies are willing to put money into these types of programs is that it has been proven that obesity contributes to a number of ailments, and keeping you at a better weight may mean you will incur fewer doctors bills down the road. They look at this as a smart investment.
Gym Membership
Whether you are already in shape or could use a little help to get in shape, a gym membership is often a great way to take care of your body and keep it fine-tuned. Many health insurance policies will help you get into better shape by paying a part of your gym membership.
Again, health insurance companies know the healthier your body is the lower the chance that you will have health problems that will lead to time in the doctor’s office or hospital. For this reason health insurance companies encourage going to the gym. Some even go so far as to pay for part of it.
Stop Smoking Program
It is known that smoking leads to a number of health problems. This is why many health insurance companies charge customers extra if they are smokers, to counter those higher bills they are going to incur down the road. At the same time, they are willing to encourage those smokers who are willing to try and get it out of their system. Many health insurance companies are willing to pay a portion of your smoking cessation program to help you become healthier.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1196713
Tags: Gym, Health Insurance Policy, Weight Loss, winston salem gyms
Winston Salem Gyms:Supplement With Protein To Add Muscle
June 16th, 2009 by Winston Salem, under Fitness Tips. No Comments
If you’re like most of the people that buy a gym membership and do a bodybuilding workout every day like mad for the first few weeks only to drop off because you don’t see any results then listen up. The reason you didn’t see any muscle on your body, the reason you didn’t see any results isn’t because you didn’t work out hard enough, it’s not because you didn’t lift enough weight. Rather it’s because you were missing the one ingredient that your muscles absolutely need to grow and that ingredient is protein. Read on to discover how and when to supplement with protein to experience some huge gains that will have people in the gym looking twice at you.
The thing you have to understand about protein is this. Your muscles are made up of two things. Water and protein and your body needs and uses protein to rebuild and maintain your muscles after your gym workouts. Another common misconception out there is that your muscles grow when you workout in the gym. That’s just not true. Your muscles don’t grow while you’re in the gym. Quite the opposite actually. When you’re in the gym working out you’re actually breaking down and tearing your muscles. Your muscles don’t grow in the gym they grow outside of it and that’s where protein comes in.
Your body needs protein to rebuild your muscles after a workout. If you work out hard enough you break down, stretch and tear your muscles and if you feed your muscles protein right after your workout they will rebuild and grow back bigger! The best bodybuilding supplements to drink are a protein shake/supplement right after your workout within 30 minutes of your last rep. This is the ideal time to supplement with protein and if you’re serious about adding some muscle to your body then you can’t be missing this opportunity. In the bodybuilding world the 30 minutes following a workout is known as the “post workout window of opportunity” and it’s because your muscles are literally like sponges immediately following a workout. Ideally your protein shake of choice also has about twice the amount in carbohydrates as an ingredient. After your workout your stomach is likely on empty and consuming carbohydrates along with the protein will ensure that your body has something to burn for fuel (carbs) and also that the protein will be saved for your muscles.
Have the exact same protein/carbohydrate combo first thing in the morning to feed your muscles as soon as you wake up. You do this because you most likely didn’t wake up in the middle of the night to eat so you’re likely hungry when you wake up. In fact your body might even be feeding on your muscles and your fat for energy first thing in the morning and that’s why you hit them with a protein shake first thing. To try and avoid this scenario what you can do is have a tall glass of non fat milk and a bowl of cottage cheese before you go to bed. Both contain casein protein which is slowly digested into your body making it a natural time released protein.
To summarize. Protein shake after your workout. Protein shake first thing in the morning. Milk and cottage cheese at night before you go to bed. Throughout the day focus on eating meals that contain both protein and carbohydrates. Your goal should be to consume one gram of protein for every pound you weigh. Remember your muscles need protein to grow so give them plenty of protein and plenty of water and you’ll grow like never before.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1199737
Tags: Gym, muscle, winston salem gyms
Winston Salem Gyms:Patio Home Plans
June 15th, 2009 by Winston Salem, under Fitness Tips. No Comments
Patio Home Feature a Relaxing Atmosphere for Homeowners
Patio houses come with a variety of benefits and characteristics that are similar to town homes. However, they will usually only be grouped with two, three, or four homes as one building instead of the countless houses that are built together in town home communities. People of different ages are finding the qualities of patio homes fit in perfectly with their lifestyle, whether it’s as a vacation home in an area they frequently visit, or a home that requires less maintenance than single family homes.
Low Prices Enjoyed by Patio Home Owners
If you enjoy traveling to a certain area, whether it’s within a city, by a beach, or near your favorite lake, living in a patio home has its advantages. If you only plan to live in the house for a few months each year, you will probably want to ensure that it remains safe during the off season. Patio houses are often located within a gated community to ensure the properties within are secure. Plus, you won’t have to plan your vacation by finding out when hotel rooms are available or waste time having to move from one hotel to another to accommodate their vacancies.
For those that still want to own a home instead of rent an apartment but may not be able to afford a single family home, patio homes can be a terrific option because they are usually cheaper than other housing types. You will have less homes located within the community, so common living areas won’t be as crowded as condominium or town home neighborhoods. At the same time, many patio homes will have the popular amenities that attract potential buyers to consider town houses and condos. Swimming pools, fitness centers, playgrounds, and bar-b-que areas that are paid by association fees can give you a relaxing place to meet with friends or a convenient way to exercise without having to take out an expensive gym membership.
Patio Homes Provide Low Maintenance and Plenty of Design Options
While the majority of patio houses are single story, you’re still able to design the home to match your personal needs. Seniors prefer patio homes because they require less work from them due to the community maintenance company taking care of the exterior landscape and building repairs. However, they still own the home and can have custom features designed for their home’s interior. Most patio houses will share two walls with its neighboring units, but you won’t have neighbors above or below. This can dramatically reduce the amount of noise heard from others.
Most patio houses have patios in the back of the home instead of a yard. Families or individuals that don’t have the time or interest to keep up a backyard or garden prefer a patio area for a peaceful area to relax during pleasant weather conditions. Custom patio home designers will efficiently use the amount of space available while creating an open and spacious floor plan that blends different rooms of the home nicely together. With the right use of windows and interior lighting, you won’t even know that you’re sharing walls with your neighbors.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1204579
Tags: Fitness, Gym, Patio Home Plans, winston salem gyms
Winston Salem Gyms:20 ways to save money in college
June 14th, 2009 by Winston Salem, under Fitness Tips. No Comments
This is a clear-cut list that provides ways to cut down on your loans and overall saving money through simple research and knowledge. A lot of this is directed towards freshman in college who don’t know the first place to look to save money until it’s too late. Ready?
* Rent a room off campus-
Although rent is extremely expensive (even in big cities), it still is almost always cheaper than living on campus.Although you feel like you don’t know anyone and need to live on campus your freshman year, you pay much more than renting an apartment. Trust me, you’ll meet plenty of people; this is an easy way to save at least $600 a year.
* Don’t get a meal plan, buy your own groceries-
Again, easy way to save money. Or, better yet, grow your own groceries (click on the link above to read about this)! If you buy in bulk at places like Costco, Walmart, and Price Rite you’ll find that you spend maybe $40 a week as opposed to $100 or more through the school!
* Buy your booze in bulk-
Buying small amounts of booze in college is convenient, but it has its price. Drinking is an unnecessary expense, but if you are going to drink, buy 30-racks of all your beer and big handles of your hard liquor. It’s a bit of a pain to carry around, but you spend much more if you buy just 6-packs and flasks of hard liquor.
* Drink only on weekends-
Another way to cut back on your drinking funds is to try and cut off Thirsty Thursdays. I know, I know, it’s what gets you through the week. This alone can save you $10 a week, $40 a month. It’s only one night, and your class on Friday’s grave will improve dramatically. If this is too much, just make it every other weekend; $20 a week is better than nothing.
* Drink Cheap-
I know, it seems like I’m picking on drinking. Buy the cheap stuff. Pabst Blue Ribbon, Old Milwaukee, Busch, Old English; there are tons out there, I’m not going to name them all. Or, of course, you can brew your own (also in the link above).
* Get a monthly bus pass-
This will only save you money if you commute to class five days a week. Many students get a bus/T pass their first semester through the school and realize they only used it 20 times. If it’s just to go see your friends every weekend, chances are you aren’t saving any money at all. A lot of times it seems like you’ll use it much more than you do, but you aren’t. Keep track of how many times you go on the bus the first month; chances are, afterwords you’ll ride it about half as much. If that still validates the bus pass, go for it; if not, save your money.
* Get a free checking + savings account (or MoneyMarket as I describe in the link above)-
A free checking or savings/MoneyMarket account is a great way to save yourself from being slammed with fees. Most kids’ banks accounts are on the brink of emptiness and a $5-25 fee isn’t going to help. Most banks give no-minimum accounts to college students, which is great when your bank account is floating around $7.35 as mine often was.
* Don’t get a credit card-
So many people I know got credit cards for emergencies; the only emergencies I ever saw them use it for was a new skirt they “needed” for work that was 50% off. Don’t bother with it.
* Compare prices for books-
Don’t just buy your books from the school, there are plenty of places to check out for books. Abebooks.com, half.com, amazon.com– usually I’ll end up buying books from all of these places, not just one. Compare each book’s price to each website, I often saved about $100 a semester this way.
* Ramen Noodles-
Ramen Noodles are a God-send. At $.12 a package, how can you beat them? Of course, they aren’t really good for you per-se, but they fill you up when money is tight. Always keep a pack or two with you– these are great for binge-eating at night, especially at parties when people want to order food. The funny thing is, you might be jealous of the big pizza their ordering, but they’ll be begging you for the Ramen.
* Become a Vegetarian-
This is the hardest one for most people– and something only for the ones who are diehard into saving money (or animals, I guess). Meat is one of the most expensive things that people buy; especially when barbecue season comes around. Veggie burgers are often cheaper than meat and healthier. Cutting out meat altogether can put money back in your pocket.
* Stay away from expensive electronics-
Say it with me, “Unless my Major is involved in technology, I do not need a Macbook Pro”. Everyone and their mother has a MacBook, and all they do is go on Facebook and Myspace. Laptops that cost $500 are good enough for me, so they’re good enough for you. Save yourself $1500 by buying a cheap laptop. Also, stay away from new Ipods, they WILL break. The same for Iphones or any other expensive new phone. The free ones always last forever, and when someone spills beer on it, so what? If you want to save money, you need to get your brain in the mindset of someone without any.
* Stay away from Monthly/Seasonal Payments-
Get rid of your cable subscription, Netflix, home phone, Sports Illustrated, porn subscriptions, etc. These aren’t necessary. Get the cheapest cell phone plan and internet (if you need it like I do); these will suffice.
* You don’t need new clothes-
Every month girls need new clothes. Although their wardrobe is spilling out of their closet, they’ve got nothing to wear. However, once you get to college, guys are no different. You don’t need new clothes, you need an iron and an ironing board. And if you need clothes, go to the thrift store.
* Meet Skype-
Want to cut out your expensive lengthy cell phone costs to your parents or significant other? Check out Skype; it’s free, you can have video chats with people, and you can just talk like you’re on the phone. Most newer computers have a built in microphone (and many have cameras as well), which makes this completely free to keep in touch with everyone if college is far away.
* Find alternatives to the gym-
Sell yourself as a dog-walker if you need exercise. Ride a bike to class. Go jogging. Use the school’s gym. Do NOT get a membership, it is a waste of $40 a month.
* Apply for one-time and online jobs-
Sell your body to medicine for a day; write reviews for products on line; there are many ways to make money online (in fact, this blog is so far a failed test of such a thing). I haven’t gotten it figured out yet, but so I hear…
* Take community college classes for your gen-eds-
I know, you chose your school because it’s the best in your field. Well, during the summer, take some community college courses. These run usually around a couple hundred bucks a course (which beats the $2000 a course at private colleges), and can cut off a semester (or in my case, it was a year– yep, $30,000 saved by spending $2,000 for two summers) from your college tuition.
* Go to state school-
I didn’t do it, but I wish I had. Save huge amounts of money by going to state school. Save your money for Graduate.
* Keep track of your spending-
Last, but DEFINITELY not least, save your receipts. Calculate your monthly expenses. Which of those don’t you need? Cut them out for next month. Do this every month to keep track of where your money is running off to.
These 20 ways should help you save money this upcoming year in school. There are plenty of ways to make college work without walking away with over $100k of debt like so many people I know did, so start being smart about your money and you’ll save more than you’d ever expect.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1206293
Tags: 20 ways to save money in college, Gym, winston salem gyms
Winston Salem Gyms:Simple Ways to Increase Your Finance
June 13th, 2009 by Winston Salem, under Fitness Tips. No Comments
Lake Argyle in Western Australia is an immense body of water stretching out over nearly 1,000 square kilometres. Yet, before 1972 this lake did not even exist. How is it that we now have a huge lake where 40 years ago there was only dry ground? Did the East Kimberly region suddenly experience incredible amounts of rainfall? No, it wasn’t the result of any natural occurrence. This vast reservoir exists because we built a large earthen dam across the Ord River. Now, where the land was once too dry and arid to farm, there are more than 150 square kilometres of farmland. Building a dam resulted in increased wealth and vitality to this area of the East Kimberly region.
Imagine your finances like a river running through time. For many of us, all the money that flows into our bank account flows out just as quickly as it came. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could build a dam across your bank account and stop some of the water from flowing away? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a large reservoir of money at your disposal to help you through times of financial difficulty? Yes, of course it would. Payday Online wants you to know that this is possible, perhaps even inevitable, if you just take some simple steps and stick to them without wavering.
Begin by looking at where you can make the most impact: large expenditures such as car payments, rent, etc. Could you possibly drive a less expensive car or use public transport? Could you move into less expensive housing? Are you really using that gym membership that’s costing $90 a month? Do you really need to buy new clothes, or can you get by for a while wearing the clothes you have? Do you have to have 600 channels on your cable television, or could you make do with a less expensive package? Do you have to spend as much time on your mobile phone, or could you cut down on your minutes and pay less each month for phone use?
Another thing to consider is repaying loans early. High interest loans can cost you a lot of money in interest, so add a little extra principal onto each monthly payment and repay those loans as fast as possible.
After you have reduced your large expenditures as much as possible, examine your small purchases. You may think that a four dollar cappuccino may not amount to much, but if you get one every day on the way to work it costs you more than $1,000 a year. Look at every place you shop and ask yourself, “Do I really need to spend this money?”
Although it seems obvious, don’t take savings for granted. It’s best to plan how much you will save each month and deposit that money as soon as you are paid. Then forget about it. Let it sit there and accumulate interest. Over time you will be surprised at how it grows.
Emergencies will still come, and you will still find yourself in need of quick cash from time to time. Rather than touching your hard-earned savings, count on Payday Online to help you through those times. Simply Log on to paydayonline.com.au and apply for your Payday Online card today and have access to quick cash when you need it most.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1209948
Tags: Gym, winston salem gyms
Winston Salem Gyms:Stay Healthy in an Unhealthy World
June 12th, 2009 by Winston Salem, under Health Tips. No Comments
Staying Healthy in an Unhealthy World
It is not that the world is unhealthy per se…but there is lots of unhealthy temptation around as well as unhealthy environments. There are many ways to eat better, exercise, avoid unhealthy places, and take care of yourself in simple ways.
The food situation is a big one. Must one purchase everything organic to be healthy? What are the most important products to purchase organic? Dairy products take front and center. Purchasing organic dairy products you are avoiding many unhealthy hormones.
When dining out stay away from the smoking areas, soon that won’t even be an issue as everyplace will be smoke free soon. Make wise selections and give some thought to making those splurges. My favorite rule is always eat what you love or don’t waste the calories.
Do some studying into supplements and vitamins and research what might be best for you in for any lacks you may have. Also talk with your health provider before embarking on a new regime.
Wear Sun Block when outside, and get as much fresh air as possible.
Exercise…just walking is your best bet. It is free and requires no equipment, and plan to do it everyday. Also stretch and use light weights for resistance training…All of this requires no gym membership.
Managing stress…First of all do not watch the stock market report daily…That will get anyone’s heart racing. Don’t put your head in the sand, and limit your news watching or listening as much as possible
Take time out for five minutes of meditation which just means breathing out four times and in a quiet spot. The show is a great place for this for busy people. This is a great way to start the day.
Develop a personal thought that is positive and loving, and let it run through your head as much as possible throughout the day.
Stay in touch with friends and family. Social activity and interaction keeps you alive and alert.
Brain health: Do something new today; learn something new whenever you are able, and do puzzles, games that are fun.
Breathe deeply often. This keeps you calm and centered.
We live in an imperfect world, and we all have our daily challenges. Take time out to give thanks for all you have.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1216696
Tags: exercise, Gym, Stay Healthy in an Unhealthy World, winston salem gyms
Winston Salem Gyms:Beat the Credit Crunch with “Off-Peak Chic”
June 11th, 2009 by Winston Salem, under Fitness Tips. No Comments
Microsoft Urges Employers to Embrace the Benefits of Flexible Working
London, 12 November: British workers could save hundreds of pounds each year by ditching the office for just one day a week, according to research commissioned by Microsoft Windows Mobile.
While the discounts available for off-peak travel, gym membership, restaurants and cinemas add up to over £500 a year, British bosses remain the stumbling block.
As a national average, less than one third of UK knowledge workers – those who class an office as their primary work place – are allowed to work flexibly for just one day a week. Londoners fair better with 52% allowed to work flexibly, but for Northern Irish employees, a staggering 82% are being made to come into the office every day.
With technology making it relatively easy to work away from the office, surely it’s time to change our national fixation with the nine-to-five mentality? says James McCarthy, mobility expert at Microsoft UK. “Flexible working can help employers and employees save money and ensure companies are in good shape to succeed whatever the future holds. Off-peak used to be a term associated with penny pinching, I say embrace the benefits that it brings!”
As the cost of living continues to rise, McCarthy argues that UK employers can use mobile working to enable employees to take advantage of off-peak offers while at the same time reducing direct business costs such as office rent, IT support, utility payments etc.
52% of workers have reduced their spending on nights out since talk of a recession first surfaced, with food and drink being the first casualties. Despite cut-price deals being offered outside ‘normal’ office hours 56% of respondents say that full-time work is the sole reason they can’t cash in on these off-peak discounts.
If you add together the average daily commute (£5) and lunch (£4) and multiply that cost by the number of days worked a year (based on a 48-week average), Brits are spending over £2000 a year going to work. Just one day a week out of the office can save over £500 and that’s not counting other reductions offered when most people are working.
Indeed, only 10% of respondents say they benefit from off-peak gym membership.
Adds McCarthy: “In uncertain economic times, demanding staff to be in the office is perfectly understandable. Microsoft fully believes in and supports the office environment as being crucial. However, we recognise that the need to be at your desk full time is coming to an end. Let off-peak become the new chic, let employees get the full benefit of flexible working and educate employers to the benefits of having a more mobile, more productive, more dynamic, more flexible and more cash-rich workforce!”
Fiona Pandit, Head of Partnership at The Work Foundation added “Flexible working is unquestionably growing in the UK, but the pace of change is depressingly slow. There are companies that have been quick to respond and those that have frequently claim not just a growth of employee loyalty and satisfaction, but also in productivity, efficiency and a sense of organisational effectiveness. But far too many are stuck in a posture of just saying no. Flexible working is one of those policies that has the potential to be a real win-win for both employers and employees.”
According to Petra Wilton, Director of Policy and Research, from the Chartered Management Institute: “Our own research suggests that managers are determined to cope with the pressures of their daily commute, not letting it effect their performance at work. However, to reduce stress employers should consider allowing staff to work from home or to adjust their hours, where practical. The introduction of flexible working patterns will certainly go a long way towards creating more mobile managers, and should both boost morale and increase productivity in the workplace.”
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1221388
Tags: gyms, winston salem gyms