Peggy Shepard and Lewis Tuttle love their personal trainer. They love the boot camp Dan Cross of Fitness Studio of Annapolis has created for them and they love the facilities that are available to them on a daily basis.

But what they said they are most appreciative of is that the facilities and the personal training services are provided to them as a perk from their employer.

Telecommunications Systems Inc. is among only a handful of employers in Annapolis that offers this perk. The trend toward offering personal training and other health and fitness perks began in earnest in 2008.

Studies on the negative effects of obesity in the work place made companies sit up and take notice. From healthcare costs to workplace conflicts to more frequent absences, obesity takes it toll on the bottom line.

Large corporations took a proactive approach to the problem by adding health and fitness perks. While many companies pay for memberships to local gyms or pay stipends towards other clubs and adults sports teams, others, such as TCS opened facilities onsite as an added incentive for their employees to become more active.

Tuttle said he particularly enjoys having the trainer available for the boot camp classes. He said he feels that the class pushes him to focus on the areas of his body he generally avoids and working out with the small group of people that show up for each class makes it more fun.

“Of course this would not have happened if it was not for our company making it possible by making available a nice workout facility,” he said. “I love working out at lunch time. It proves a much needed stress relief for the day.”

Shepard has found a surprising benefit to working out in the company gym.  Suddenly, the name on the folder or on an email from a different department has a face to go with it. Through the fitness facilities she has met people outside her small area of the office and when she goes into projects with these same people they have already developed a way of working together, she said.

In addition, Shepard has found health benefits because of the added fitness work.

“My goals are more internal—better blood-work numbers, maintain a good BMI, reverse the trend of rising blood pressure and cholesterol, all while improving my cardiovascular health,” Shepard said. “I've been thrilled with the results.” 

While these benefits may seem to affect Shepard only on a personal level, she said she believes they go further than that. She said they make her a better employee.

“I feel better," she said. "I have more energy. I'm less stressed. Because of all that, I'm better able to focus on my work and less likely to get spun up when things don't go perfectly. I honestly think that I'm happier.”

Cross has worked with the employees at TSI for three years now and said he is not surprised by any of this. As a personal trainer he has dedicated his life to physical fitness because he believes being fit and healthy is a key to living a better life.

He sees the benefits in his own life, as well as in the individuals he trains through his own studio. He knows that the benefits go far beyond helping people look better.