9 Reasons Your Employee Wellness Program Should Feature Fall Fitness Challenges

6-minute read

For employee wellness leaders, now is the perfect time to think about the fall season — and schedule a fall fitness challenge. Seasonal wellness programs are engaging for their ties to nature’s rhythms, holidays, and traditions. Fall’s unique ambiance makes it an excellent time to get people moving outdoors.

Walking Challenges Have Wide Appeal

Why consider a focus on walking for your fall fitness challenge? Because walking is something nearly everyone can do. It’s free, simple, and fun, with no special equipment — just comfortable shoes/clothing and a safe place.

Participants can use fitness trackers to easily monitor steps and stay motivated throughout the challenge.

Walking is also an accessible way to stay active without needing a gym or driving somewhere. Participants can get a change of scenery, reduce stress, and clear their mind — returning to work refreshed.

“Let’s go for a walk.” Trekking with a coworker is a fun way to catch up and exchange ideas while moving in the brisk outdoors. Walking groups form naturally during a workplace walking challenge, spreading the joy throughout the organization.

Read more: Walking: How Workplace Step Challenges Help People Connect.

Participants Love Fall Walking Challenges

HES has the pleasure of serving large and small companies, school systems, colleges, and universities as well as nonprofits and city/state/federal entities. For many clients, our Walktober challenge is a fan favorite and an annual tradition.

Here’s a sampling of feedback we’ve received from Walktober participants:

“Walktober helped to pull me out of a funk and start moving again. I loved the beautiful photos from around the world and the encouragement of wonderful team members. It’s one more way Wellesley continues to be important — and inspirational — in my life.”

Karen M.
Wellesley College

“As a participant of Walktober I have created a routine of staying active that I think will make it easier to continue now that the challenge is over. I have gotten in the routine of making sure I’m moving even on slower days and I have noticed a positive impact on my energy throughout the day and even felt my clothes fitting better!”

Ashley S.
Fontana Unified School District

“I travel a lot personally and for my job. The Walktober program motivated me to get my steps in everyday regardless of where I was. I even walked around airports and on airplanes. It was great!”

Miriam S.
State of Illinois CMS Benefits

Read more: 10 Ways to Get Employees Walking for Better Health.

Walking Challenges Inspire Lasting Habits 

Did you know that only 24% of US adults meet recommendations for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity? Fall fitness challenges help everyone reap the rewards of an active lifestyle. Less active employees will feel better with regular exercise, and those already active may be motivated to try something new like cross-training to keep their routines fresh and interesting.

Establishing a consistent fitness routine is the key. When people find an activity they enjoy — such as walking — that works for their lifestyle, is fun to do with others, and helps them feel great, they’re more likely to stick with it long enough to experience the benefits and establish a daily habit.

Health Benefits of Regular Exercise

A few examples:

• More energy, stamina, and strength
• Less stress and tension, higher resilience, and more restful sleep
• Better focus and creativity
• Improved mental well-being with fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety plus enhanced brain connectivity and function
• Increased self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment
• Decreased risk of medical issues during and after pregnancy like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, newborn complications, or postpartum depression
• Reduced risk for chronic conditions and better management of existing health concerns like diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, overweight/obesity, arthritis, as well as many types of cancer
• Improved odds for enhancing healthspan – more years free from serious disease.

The Easy Win: Annual Fall Fitness Challenge

Use autumn’s allure — like vibrant landscapes, cozy clothing, apple cider, new beginnings — to encourage employees to get outdoors and fully experience the season:

1. Familiar routines. Summer vacations are over; kids are back to school and sports. It’s a natural time to revitalize a healthy habit or spark a new one — like walking, biking, or hiking. Pairing exercise with an established activity — like walking during soccer practice — helps build a new routine… it’s called habit stacking.
2. Cooler weather. Fall brings cooler temperatures, crisp air, and muted light, ideal for an invigorating walk.
3. Stunning scenery. Brilliant foliage paints the landscape, attracting leaf-peepers. It’s a beautiful season to be active outdoors together, enjoying autumn beauty.
4. Enduring traditions. From fall sports to apple picking to Halloween, it’s a time of year packed with tradition and fond memories. Adding a fall fitness challenge to your employee wellness calendar can establish an annual tradition your population will look forward to — for the fun as well as the feel-good payoffs. Watch for greater participation and appreciation to grow year after year.
5. Fresh-start feelings. Calendar beginnings — like a new season, Monday, first of the month, New Year’s, or a birthday — offer a psychological boost that helps us move past regrets, reframe the way we think about ourselves, and set new goals.
6. Team togetherness. Nothing brings people closer while igniting energy like a friendly competition. When your fall fitness program includes a team plus individual option, you’re all set. The increased camaraderie will likely continue long after the challenge ends, fostering positive work relationships.
7. Social connections. Fall fitness challenges make it easy to get to know others across the organization. As participants cheer each other on or compete in a team, they meet and interact with others beyond their own groups — building a friendlier, more connected work environment.
8. Festive fare. Autumn’s harvest is made for healthy potlucks, with colorful apples, pears, pumpkins, tomatoes, squash, and more. Lunchtime gatherings are a chance to enjoy delicious produce while recognizing fitness challenge wins and sharing ways to get past obstacles.
9. Strong finish. Fall arrives with perfect timing, when summer vacations are over yet before people head out for winter holidays. By helping employees increase physical activity in a fall fitness challenge, you’ll help them end the year strong and prime them for a healthier new year. Your wellness program will finish stronger, too.

Energize Your Workforce With a Fall Fitness Challenge

Tap into the magic of autumn this year. For so many reasons, it’s an excellent time to invite your population to establish or strengthen a physical activity habit. Set them up for success with a fall fitness challenge that gets them outside and enjoying the beauty of this spectacular season… together.

Read more: Why Every Leader Needs a Walking Habit: Unlocking Personal and Professional Benefits.