How about a little exercise?

VISUS fit&fun has been offering employees tailored and flexible wellness programs for 15 years.

What sets these wellness programs apart?

“Our wellness programs are essentially based on two pillars: We offer active fitness and health programs while also providing information on topics that affect employees’ health,” explains Dr. Anna Burczik from the Occupational Health Management team. Preparations are currently underway for the annual Health Day, where “gender-specific health promotion” will be the central theme this year.

What criteria are used to select the programs?

The activities offered as part of our VISUS fit&fun program are characterized above all by their flexibility, their focus on participants’ needs, and their deliberately low barriers to entry. Specifically, this means that instead of offering rigid programs, the activities are continuously reviewed and adapted. Which activities are actually being used? What do employees want? How are participant numbers trending? Anna Burczik: “We place particular emphasis on reaching those who don’t consider themselves athletic and who, in a sense, need to be won over. The activities are deliberately designed so that they don’t require a high level of fitness, special equipment, or an ‘affinity for sports.’” That’s why the “fun” factor is also a top priority. Especially when working out with colleagues, having fun together can be a decisive factor in whether people stick with it.

What programs are currently available?

Once a week, a group of employees meets for “All-in-One Training.” The name says it all: under the guidance of a qualified trainer, participants get their whole body in shape—outdoors when the weather is nice, or in our own fitness room otherwise.

We’ve been offering the “Active Lunch Break” for ten years now. Whether online or in person, a sports scientist leads us through exercises and offers tips on how to proactively counteract the typical side effects of a desk job. After all, much of our work involves sitting for long periods while staring at a screen. Long periods without changing positions and constantly intense concentration on the computer can quickly lead to problems, some of which can be severe. We address this proactively. The “Active Lunch Break” has evolved over the years. A new format is planned for 2027 to reach and get even more employees moving.

A highlight of fit&fun is night skiing and snowboarding: “Fun without sun” is the motto of this event held at the Skiliftkarussell Winterberg in the nearby Sauerland region. Padel is currently very trendy and new to our program. This variation of tennis is a great example of an ideal after-work recreational activity. The participation numbers speak for themselves—around 20 colleagues have already taken part. The game is easy to pick up, offers a mix of physical activity and fun, and strengthens the sense of community. We meet once a month, usually at the PadelArea, which is just under ten minutes from the office. Many employees have also started meeting up privately to play.

Urban hiking is a more traditional activity, but no less popular. This year, we sponsored participation in the Mammut Hike in the Ruhr region. A total of eight of us even completed the maximum distance of 55 kilometers—a magnificent experience amid industrial landmarks and green corridors. We’re all already excited to see what other ideas our colleagues will come up with next...