Be Inspired By The London Marathon To Get Active

Watching the thousands of people taking part in the Flora London Marathon may hopefully inspire some viewers to start a new fitness regime.

More than 30,000 people are expected to pound the streets of the 26.2 mile challenge from Greenwich to the Mall, from fun-runners to club athletes on Sunday 22 April 2007.

Legal & General, one the UK’s leading protection providers, Health Uncovered Index shows that over 50% of people surveyed were worried that they were not doing enough exercise. Almost half (49%) of full time workers have worried about their health in the last three months because they do not do enough exercise.

As part of Legal & General’s ongoing relationship with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to help improve the health and well-being of our group protection customers’ employees, Legal & General’s Group Protection business sponsors the BHF educational booklet, ‘Get Active!’.

The booklet is designed to help people of all lifestyles who are considering taking up a new exercise or sport to get started. It covers everything from tips for getting fit, to outlining the health benefits of doing some exercise.

Vanessa Sallows, Legal & General’s Group Protection business Underwriting and Benefits Director said, “Being more active can make a difference to the quality of life we have and bring benefits such as more energy to help cope with daily routine plus improving physical and mental health. Regular exercise, such as running is an excellent way to improve fitness and general well being.

“The results of the Health Uncovered research reveal that full time workers are more worried about the impact of their lifestyle on their health than other working groups. So as a leading provider of group protection benefits, we really do understand the financial benefits for employers of having a healthy workforce, as well as financial and health benefits for their employees.”

Vanessa continued, “With Government focus increasing on encouraging employers to create healthy and active workplaces, Legal & General’s Wellbeing Programme which includes the ‘Get Active!’ booklet provides timely support for employers and their advisers.”

As part of the Wellbeing Programme, Legal & General offers a range of services to corporate customers, through their advisers, to help improve their employees’ health. This includes on-site massages, wellbeing days, stress management workshops, spinal care and health assessments, including blood and cholesterol tests.

In addition, Legal & General sponsors another BHF initiative, ‘Think Fit!’ which is an educational pack for employers to use in the workplace, with practical ideas and materials to increase the level of employee’s awareness of the benefits of physical activity in the workplace.

A free copy of the booklet, ‘Get Active!’ is available to download from the British Heart Foundation website, bhf.org.uk or employers may obtain copies along with the ‘Think Fit!’ pack for use in the workplace by contacting Legal & General Group Protection on 01737 376 140 or by email to group.protectionrisk@landg.com.