Published
Article written by
Widespread practice in Asia, even mandatory in some companies, muscular awakening before starting the working day has been emulated in France for a few years.
Twice a week, Pierre Ponchaux, a former marine rifleman converted into a sports coach, intervenes in this company in Coudekerque-Branche. This company specializes in the rental of equipment for construction and events, for professionals and individuals. It offers voluntary employees muscle awakening sessions before starting their working day.
A fit employee is a more efficient employee! Based on this observation, this equipment rental company in the North decided to offer its employees the opportunity to wake up their bodies before exercise. Twice a week, a sports coach is present on the premises of the company for a muscle awakening session before taking up their service. A warm-up that has one goal: to reduce injuries and accidents as much as possible, for employees, as well as for the company, which thus prevents malfunctions that can cost it dearly in the event of absence.
Nothing is compulsory, the employees who take part in the sessions are all volunteers. And for them, the benefits are visible: “It allows us to prepare for the day, which can be more or less rough depending on the day, both physically and even mentally. Especially when you have to lift heavy loads, you have postures to adopt, and that’s what we’re taught here: simply warm up to be in good condition all day“, explains Nicolas, the site manager.
Simple exercises adapted to the specificities of each position. “For the employee, the usefulness is also to gain in mobility, to then evolve in complete safety. We will constantly repeat a mechanics of movement, to transcribe them unconsciously in the work aspect“, explains coach Pierre Ponchaux, who works in several companies in the region. Sessions that last on average only ten minutes but which allow these employees to start the day on the right foot.