How to get your 30 minutes of physical activity at work

Caroline Gordon, Sport Wellington

WORKPLACE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Caroline Gordon

Active Communities Manager

Sport Wellington

Activity snack!

• Not for profit charitable trust est.1990

• Whole of Wellington region

• One of 17 RSTs in New Zealand

• Sports clubs, regional sports organisations,

events, health, workplaces, facilities,

councils

• Workplaces – equipment, advice, sessions,

activity snacks e.g. conferences

P.A. – Why do we need it?

• Lifestyle Changes – time, energy,

attitudes

• The impact of technology – cars,

machines, TV, computers

• Estimate 800 calories less per day in

incidental activity than in 1980

(=10km)

Myths about workplace PA

• Gym based – not necessary – walkways,

cycles, stairs, parks…

• If you don’t break a sweat, its not

exercise

• Takes too much time…(solve by snack

activity)

Getting P.A. into the workplace

-EMPLOYER

• Top down role modelling

• Encouraging active transport – e.g.

through showers

• P.A. friendly office – stairs, location

of photocopier etc

• Programmes and subsidies – e.g.

gyms

• Standing desks

• Walking meetings

• Snack activity in seminars etc

• Games e.g. table tennis

• Events – e.g. AMI RTB

• Alternatives from work drinks…

Getting P.A. into the workplace

-EMPLOYER cont.

Getting P.A. into the workplace

-EMPLOYEE

• Build it into your workday

• Break it down to 3 x 10 minutes

• Increase incidental activity

• Lunch time buddies

• Competitions

• Workplace based teams

Iconic Wellington event -

Wellingtons biggest fun run

Commenced in 1996

13,733 in attendance in 2013

Takes advantage of the beautiful

inner Harbour before converging on

Kilbirnie Park for live entertainment,

food and a great festival atmosphere

Raises money for the Malaghan

Institute of Medical Research

Three distances –

• 6.5km fun run/walk

• Snapper 10km

• Lenco Half Marathon

Event for every level of

participant

High level of group

participation – corporate

teams

Corporate marquees and

BBQ site for hire

More information

Sport Wellington

• www.sportwellington.org.nz

• Carolineg@sportwellington.org.

nz

Round the Bays

• www.amiroundthebays.co.nz

• roundthebays@sportwellington.

org.nz