You're struggling to engage employees in functional training. How can you inspire their participation?

1. Communicate Benefits: Clearly outline how functional training improves health, productivity, and job performance. 2. Offer Variety: Provide diverse training options to cater to different preferences and fitness levels. 3. Set Goals Together: Collaborate with employees to set achievable fitness goals aligned with their interests. 4. Provide Incentives: Offer rewards or recognition for consistent participation and progress. 5. Create a Supportive Environment: Foster a culture where employees feel encouraged and motivated to participate. 6. Offer Flexibility: Allow variations in training schedules to accommodate work demands and personal commitments.

Highlight success stories or case studies from colleagues who have benefited from functional training, demonstrating its practical application and impact on job performance. Offer introductory workshops or demonstrations to familiarize employees with the exercises and their relevance to daily tasks. Provide opportunities for employees to participate in goal-setting related to their training outcomes, fostering personal investment in the process. Incorporate testimonials or endorsements from senior management or respected peers to validate the importance of functional training within the organization.

Ask. Ask staff what specifically is holding them back from participating in current programs then create relatable programs based on the results. In addition to providing the benefits, show the how to to ensure they understand. If it is time related, offer posture breaks with short mini-exercises throughout the day.

Make training personal. Everyone has different goals, likes, dislikes, relationships with exercises and different lives. Having all participants go through an assessment of goals, and needs can help determine what the strengths, weaknesses, priorities, etc so you can build the best program. Some people may prefer a gym setting, some may prefer the privacy of their home. Some may be okay talking about their progress in a group setting, some may not. It is your job to make everyone feel comfortable and heard. Taking the time to personalize training shows your dedication not only to the health of your team but also the individual person. This can motivate and empower your team building stronger relationships and more productivity.

Offer flexible training formats, such as on-demand modules or virtual sessions, to accommodate diverse learning preferences and schedules. Integrate gamification elements, like challenges or competitions, to make learning interactive and engaging. Encourage peer-to-peer learning by fostering mentorship programs where experienced employees can share practical insights and techniques. Provide continuous feedback and progress tracking tools to empower employees to monitor their development and stay motivated. Collaborate with department heads or team leaders to align training objectives with specific team goals, reinforcing the relevance of functional training to overall organizational success.

Implement regular milestones or certifications tied to completing training modules,providing tangible achievements that employees can showcase. Offer opportunities for employees to apply newly acquired skills in real-world scenarios or projects, reinforcing the practical benefits of functional training. Recognize and celebrate individual and team accomplishments related to training outcomes during team meetings or company-wide communications.Foster a supportive environment where employees feel empowered to share their successes and challenges openly,encouraging a culture of continuous learning and improvement.Periodically review and update the rewards system to keep it fresh and aligned with evolving organizational goals and employee needs.

Create a formal mentorship or buddy system where experienced employees can guide and support colleagues who are new to functional training. Facilitate informal networking opportunities, such as lunch-and-learn sessions or coffee chats, where employees can discuss training experiences and insights. Encourage collaborative learning through team challenges or group projects that require applying functional training principles. Showcase success stories and testimonials through internal newsletters, intranet articles, or video testimonials to reach a wider audience. Organize workshops or panel discussions where employees can ask questions and learn from peers who have excelled in integrating functional training into their daily routines.

Provide access to a centralized learning management system (LMS) where employees can access training resources anytime, anywhere, fostering self-directed learning. Offer pre-recorded webinars or video tutorials that employees can revisit as needed for reinforcement. Implement a "choose your path" approach where employees can select from a menu of training options based on their interests and career aspirations. Incorporate mobile-friendly learning solutions to accommodate employees who prefer to learn on-the-go or during downtime. Conduct surveys or focus groups periodically to gather feedback on training formats and adjust offerings accordingly to ensure ongoing relevance and engagement.

As humans we love progress. Progress means we are moving forward and can continue to motivate us to do so. Setting clear and attainable goals can help determine what we are looking for in regards to progress. They progress that will be the most motivating is the progress that is directly related to our goals. It is very important to track progress and celebrate the milestones (no matter how small they are!) These celebrations boost morale, and reinforces that good habits that have been built.