UK Employees 'Stepping Up' Their Physical Activity With Fitbit Promotion

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 11, 2016) — As a part of the University of Kentucky's LiveWell initiative, UK employees were eligible to purchase a Fitbit device for as low as $19 if they committed to participate in the UK LiveWell Step Up physical activity challenge.

The response to the promotion was outstanding. More than 8,500 UK employees signed up for the challenge and purchased a Fitbit at a reduced price through a subsidy from UK Health and Wellness.

Joey Payne, UK Human Resources chief benefits officer believes this investment in employees will provide mutual benefits both now and in the future.

"Employees who are engaged with their personal fitness will be in a better position to maintain or improve their personal health status," Payne said.

"Providing a Fitbit subsidy is just one way that UK has been able to invest in our employees' health and well-being," said UK Health and Wellness Program Manager Jody Ensman. "We want employees to increase their level of physical activity, but we also want to improve the culture of health here at UK by letting them know we support them in their efforts in improving their health and well-being."

The Step Up challenge gives employees the opportunity to earn UK gear by tracking their steps. Anyone with a fitness tracking device such as a Fitbit, Jawbone, Misfit, Garmin, etc. can participate in the challenge.

Ensman hopes employees get excited about being physically active.

"Through the Step Up Challenge, I hope to see that employees are increasing their daily physical activity and have fun along the way by competing against themselves and fellow colleagues," Ensman said.

Participants can unlock their choice of UK gear based on the daily average of how many steps they take. Each participant earns one prize. Those whose daily step average exceeds 8,000 may choose their single prize from the 6,000 or 8,000 prize tiers and those who reach 10,000 may choose their single prize from any of the three prize categories.

The prizes include the following:

·      6,000 step tier: water bottle, Dri-Fit short sleeve, Bluetooth earbuds

·      8,000 step tier: shorts, water bottle, Dri-Fit short sleeve

·      10,000 step tier: pullover, Dri-Fit long sleeve, Dri-Fit short sleeve

The six-week Step Up challenge begins today, Monday, Jan. 11, and ends Monday, Feb. 21.

MEDIA CONTACT: Blair Hoover, (859) 257-6398; blair.hoover@uky.edu