Memorial Day, Summer and Company Outings

On Memorial Day, we remember the brave men and women of the armed forces who protected our freedom. But, it also marks the beginning of summer – and summer clothes! If you are planning your company’s summer outing, the warm weather gives you different options for venues, team building and internal branding.

Golf outings are among the most popular corporate events each year. Many golf courses have a dress code that includes collared shirts, like the Nike Dri-FIT polo. A great-fitting, comfortable logo golf shirt is a must!

For many, attending a parade held on Memorial Day is part of their celebration. Custom logo apparel encourages solidarity among your employees and within your community. What better way to engage your team and promote your company than giving your employees branded apparel to wear around town.

If you are considering other outdoor activities or events for your company’s summer outing, APP can imprint or embroider your logo, tagline, or team name on it. We have the expertise to accommodate virtually any order - no matter how big or small.

Keeping Active, No Matter Your Age

Time and energy are huge issues with fitness as we age; and it often becomes difficult to balance career and family. Later on, as we may acquire more time, we find we have less energy. Still, it's essential to make time for physical activity. Regular exercise can help control your weight, reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, and some cancers. It will strengthen your bones and muscles and improve your ability to do daily activities and prevent falls. As an older adult, you will also increase your chances of living longer.

Be sure to always warm-up before a workout and stretch afterward to reduce the risk of injury. Start slowly and layer your exercise clothing so you can take some off as you get hot. Try our Sport-Tek 5-in-1 Performance Straight Leg Warm-Up Pants and jackets for men and women. Adding stretching to your workouts will also help to counter the tightening of the body that comes with age. To stay healthy, adults should try to be active daily and should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week and muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week. Older adults at risk of falls, should do exercises to improve balance and coordination on at least two days a week.

What counts as moderate-intensity aerobic activity for most people?

·         Walking fast

·         Water aerobics

·         Riding a bike

·         Pushing a lawn mower

·         Doubles tennis

What counts as muscle-strengthening activity?

·         Lifting weights

·         Working with resistance bands

·         Sit-ups

·         Push-ups

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Whether you're 45 or 70, it's never too late to start (or restart) an exercise program.

Promote Fitness and Teamwork by Creating a Co-Ed Company Sports Team

It’s important to build relationships with coworkers and relationship development can be done in many ways. Company sports teams can offer many advantages to both the employees and to the company, including healthier employees, while building teamwork across departments. These teams can be for a team sport like softball or bowling, or for individual competitions, like triathlons or 5-K races. You can also create non-competitive teams like walking clubs or general running teams. As you train and learn your sport together, you will create new personal bonds. These bonds will spill over into the work environment and help employees to work as a team at work, as well.

Having healthy employees positively impacts a company's bottom line. Companies that have employees that smoke, that are overweight or that are out of condition have higher rates of absenteeism and turnover than companies than those who have healthier employees. An estimated $270 billion is spent annually on treating tobacco use and related diseases, adult-onset diabetes and obesity, conditions that are preventable, according to WELCOA, or the Wellness Council of America.

How do you get started? First, poll your coworkers about their interest. Talk to everyone so you understand the overall interest in forming a team and in what capacity. You’ll have to bring up the idea with management, emphasizing that a company sponsored team is a good way to build relationships and morale. You will be able to let them know others are also interested and maybe, even get some funding.

Then get out there! Play ball! Run fast! It’s Spring, so get outside and take advantage of the weather.