Some companies have begun to consider the basic adage that an ounce of prevention may be indeed worth a pound of cure and have adjusted policy accordingly to put some extra emphasis on wellness. Garmin, meanwhile, is looking to help out on that front itself with the Vivoki activity tracker, a device that may give it an edge in providing for corporate wellness policies.
The Vivoki device is specifically designed with wellness programs in mind, tracking not only steps, but also the intensity of the steps involved as well as the calories burned in taking those steps. It can even incorporate the step count into a total measure of distance traveled, and there are a set of five LED lights on the device that light up as the wearer makes progress toward a goal. The content on the device—steps taken, progress made toward goal and the like—can in turn be uploaded via wireless connection to a partner site, and can be accomplished from specific wireless points that can, at last report, be installed easily by IT staffers. The device itself is reportedly small and lightweight, designed to be worn, and is water-resistant to 10 meters.
The Vivoki is also set to work with the Garmin Connect API, a system that's designed to work with several other Garmin devices, including the Edge, the Forerunner, and the vivofit lines. So far, thanks in part to the variety of available devices and the Garmin Connect API, users have walked over four billion miles cumulatively, and that number is only set to increase. It certainly didn't hurt matters that Garmin Connect was a frequently requested service, as noted by EveryMove's CEO, Russell Benaroya. The vivoki device itself is set to be released in spring, and will be part of the show at this year's CES event, in the Digital Health and Fitness area.
This is actually appropriate, given the rapid growth of wearable technology in terms of fitness and exercise fields. When it comes to wearable tech, usually observers have to specifically note that there are other uses for wearable tech beyond fitness, as this is one of the first things that come to mind in the field, and with good reason. After all, a wearable device is one of the best kind to take out in the field, as it's the most portable and most likely to need battery power since outlets are in short supply on walking trails. Thus the wearable form factor lends itself well to the needs of the fitness community.
But beyond the serendipity of the form factor's usefulness in fitness, corporate wellness programs have also brought a lot of good to the table. The idea of sitting at work is one that's been shown to have a great many problems associated with it—as is the case with most any sedentary lifestyle—like slower metabolisms, increased risk for heart disease and the like, as well as a higher overall risk of a premature death. The use of a corporate wellness program can help in reducing things like absenteeism and health-related losses in productivity as well as direct claims against employer-sponsored health insurance plans.
A wellness program may not eliminate the employee's use of health insurance entirely, but it can certainly play a part in reducing it. Helping to keep employees active and mobile may cost a bit in terms of short-term productivity and even in capital expense, but has the potential for excellent long-term return, and thus should be more carefully explored.
Edited by
Cassandra Tucker
