Wellness Corporate Solutions and Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Partner

Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Wellness Corporate Solutions, encourages employers in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia to get their employees exercising with the first annual 2008 in Motion Fitness Challenge, an 8-week fitness challenge in which companies compete to see who has the healthiest workforce based on exercise time.

Companies sign up at www. Montgomerycountychamber.com. They then receive an e-mail from Wellness Corporate Solutions with instructions on how to enroll individual participants. Registration fees are $15 per participant. Companies then form a team of employees who log their activities weekly on the In Motion Fitness Web site. At the end of the Challenge, the company with the highest average exercise time per employee wins.

ì We see healthy employees as smart business strategy, so sponsoring this Challenge is a perfect fit for us,î Fiona Gathright, President of Wellness Corporate Solutions, said. ìThis is a unique opportunity for employers to support the chamber and show their commitment to their employeesí health and well-being, in addition to engaging in a little healthy competition.î

The Challenge is one way the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is getting the message out about workplace wellness.

ìThe Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce supports corporate health and wellness programs by educating employers about the strategic value of creating a healthy workplace,î said Georgette ìGigiî Godwin, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. ìStudies have shown that creating a healthy workplace aids in attracting and retaining talented workers and can improve the bottom line.î

Wellness programs have been shown to reduce health care costs, increase employee productivity, reduce absenteeism and enhance recruitment and retention of healthy employees. Physical activity can help prevent heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis, reduce stress, and improve mental outlook.

The challenge begins February 1st. Interested employers can e-mail clientservices@wellnesscorporatesolutions.com for more information.

Wellness Corporate Solutions is a woman-owned Maryland business that helps employers implement wellness programs as a strategic business initiative.

The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerceís express purpose and mission is to help members succeed in business and continue building a more vibrant, prosperous and connected community in Montgomery County.