Evidence-based science is the foundation of our program and is critical to its long-term success. But we don’t want our members focusing on the science; we want them focusing on getting active in a way that suits them best. We incorporate the proven science from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) about weekly activity requirements and health benefits into program milestones, messages, and engagement models – all so that members don't have to wonder if they're getting enough physical activity to be healthy.
Milestones built into the program assure members that as long as these targets are met or exceeded, they are getting the right amount of activity, as well as tracking and impacting the right biometrics, to be healthy in the long-term. Daily step counts, HealthMiles allocations, activity widgets, monthly promotions and targeted messages all serve as friendly and engaging reminders about how much activity they need.
Our Reward Levels are designed to reinforce the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended activity levels as well. At Level 3 and beyond, employees are considered to be "active" individuals and are poised to reap long-term health benefits.
In designing our programs, we are assisted by leading experts in the fields of physical activity, exercise science, health behavior, health promotion, psychology, and epidemiology. As our Science Advisory Board, they oversee the ongoing development of our programs, ensuring we feature the most up-to-date scientific research.
We go well beyond simply getting your employees to sign up for the program; we provide motivation for them to get and stay moving all year long. We meticulously design all our programs around best practices proven to maintain and even grow participation levels over time.
We incorporate a number of behavioral change elements to encourage long-term shifts among your employees. To continually engage them, we optimize a mix of multiple levers, including:
- Incentives and rewards
- Goal setting and tracking
- Feedback and information
- Challenges and competitions
- Social engagement
Then we wrap it all up in Virgin-brand fun and innovation. The combination of a great member experience, incentives, and the motivation members get by seeing their progress – progress they are assured is valid – significantly increases the likelihood that employees will stick with the program and their new healthy behaviors for the long term.
When the program starts working, you'll know it. You'll see it in your employees and feel it in the overall office vibe. More objectively, you’ll be able to review information that accurately depicts the performance of your program.
From the very beginning of the program, employees use tools to track and validate their activity and biometric data. This data provides real program results, so you can see how your strategy is working for your organization. And your employees will stay motivated to move.
Employees capture their daily activity with a variety of tracking devices, including GoZone® pedometers. They also visit HealthZone® measurement stations to measure their key biometrics. Unlike other programs which rely on self-entered data, our program gives you and your employees the assurance that progress is actual.
These devices capture validated data that is then presented on each employee's personal LifeZone online program portal. Through the LifeZone, members can watch their progress, set up personal challenges with their friends and colleagues, redeem rewards if available, and much more.
The GoZone® is a go-anywhere pedometer that automatically tracks your employees' daily activity. Employees clip the pedometers to their belts or waistbands and wear them all day long to make sure every step counts. The GoZone pedometer is an easy way for all employees to get the most out of the program.
Plus, it conveniently serves as a constant reminder to stay active. Every few days, your employees plug them into their computers and all of their steps are instantly uploaded to their HealthMiles accounts.
We've also partnered with Polar™ to give your employees the opportunity to track more intense workouts. They can buy a Polar Heart Rate Monitor at a discount with HealthCash they’ve earned or a credit card (or both), or use one they already have. It's a great way for runners, cyclists, and other avid exercise enthusiasts to earn even more HealthMiles.
The HealthZone® is where your employees go to measure up and see how their activity is affecting their overall health. We encourage and reward for regular monthly visits to provide your organization and its employees with a clear, reliable picture of the progress being made.
The biometric data collected includes blood pressure, weight, and body fat percentage. The HealthZone then tells the employee what range their measurements fall in, tells them if they've improved, and uploads the data directly to each employee's HealthMiles account.
The sum total of employee data is also collected for your organization to use in assessing and reviewing the effectiveness of the program and your specific strategies. This organizational view of the data is presented in reports in aggregate to keep each member's data private.
Where It All Comes Together
The LifeZone is your employees' health center. It's a secure, personal online program portal where they can manage all their health and fitness information. It's all here: activity status, GoZone steps, HealthZone measurements, HealthMiles earned, and any applicable rewards system you may choose to implement.
With all of their information in one convenient place, it's easy for your employees to stay up to date on their progress. They can also challenge friends, read up on health and fitness news, and more. All of it keeps them motivated to do more, and helps ensure the continued success of your program.