Kent County Council (KCC) today announced that in partnership with VirtualGym TV it will provide online gym and fitness access to 44,000 staff including those working in Kent Schools.
Elaine Mason Organisation & Employee Wellbeing & Performance Manager, explained:
“With staff working in over 1,100 different locations across Kent, in hundreds of different jobs, some providing 24/7 services, VirtualGym TV gives staff cost effective access to a wide range of exercise demonstrations  they can participate in at a time that suits them and their work/life demands. The fitness and exercise programs can be tailored to individual requirements and we hope that a high proportion of our staff will take advantage of this opportunity to be more active. This facility is one of a number available to staff to help them manage and improve their wellbeing and performance.”

KCC’s Chief Executive Peter Gilroy said:
“As an excellent rated authority we know we need to promote and encourage the health and wellbeing of all our staff, so that we can continue providing excellent services to the people of Kent. The Council sees staff wellbeing as critical within our business and HR strategy and we welcome this partnership and the benefits it will bring to both staff and the people who use our services.”

VirtualGym TV (www.virtualgym.tv), a new kind of internet-gym launched at the outset of 2008, offers an innovative solution for people who want to exercise at their convenience, ranging from the comfort of their own homes, a shared facility such as their workplace, a hotel room or from anywhere in the world.  VirtualGym TV offers a constantly expanding online bank of full-length, professional health and fitness training sessions – each conducted by an industry leading fitness instructor. VirtualGym TV is available to users at a fraction of the price of either normal gym membership or purchasing retail fitness DVDs.

Richard Davis, Founder and Managing Director of VirtualGym TV says:
“VirtualGym TV brings a real fitness centre into the home or workplace, with the most highly qualified instructors guiding people through a variety of intense workouts. The impact on absenteeism, increased fitness and productivity are all such that the business case for VGTV can be very easily made.”

With up to 40 new sessions uploaded each week, VirtualGym TV offers employees the largest range of fitness services at a miniscule price compared to traditional alternatives. The easy-to-use website also offers members a state-of-the-art ‘Virtual Personal Trainer’ facility that recommends a course of fitness sessions tailored to their individual needs as well as working as a health risk assessment tool for employers.

Richard went on to say;
“The great thing about VirtualGym TV is that we offer a viable solution to the traditional gym or health club. There are a great many people, that either can’t, won’t or don’t use them for a whole range or reasons from intimidation of the gym environment, self consciousness of their appearance, through to lack of time, expensive contracts and flexibility with lifestyle. VirtualGym TV is the only viable alternative solution for all of these people.”