You've maybe heard it at work before: "Shape up," but probably not quite like this.
Becker County employees are seeing the benefits of a state grant in the form of exercise equipment, designed to be used as they work in the office.
The SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Plan) grant provided the county with $3,400 to be used to help improve health and wellness in county employees.
With this money, they were able to purchase five under-the-desk pedal bikes, three blood pressure machines for the break rooms, weight scales and 13 sit-upon cushions that simulate sitting on an exercise ball.
"You just put it on the seat of your chair, and it sort of works your abs, back and entire core area as you sit there and work," said Becker County Human Resources Assistant Amy Settergren.
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In addition to the equipment, the county also received some instructional videos for stress reduction, including the popular "desk yoga" video.
"I haven't actually seen anybody striking any yoga poses," laughs Settergren, "but I did notice that an area is set up for it in the break room, so I know some somebody is doing it."
Some of the equipment is proving to be a bit awkward as some employees report some under-the-desk knee-knocking and almost falling off of chairs.
Regardless of varying opinions on whether the equipment is user-friendly or not, Settergren says it's just good to do something positive for workers there.
"We have a lot of people here who have to sit a lot during the day, so it's nice to have a way for them to get their blood flowing a little bit and get some exercise."
Assistant County Attorney Kevin Miller has used the bike a few times now, going about a half an hour at a time.
"It's not like I sit there and break a sweat in my dress shirt or anything, but I could tell after I used it that I did something ... my legs felt it," Miller said.
The equipment is mostly small and portable, so it is all being passed around from department to department.
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"Our hope is that not only will it help workers while at the office," said Settergren, "but that maybe people will take some of these healthy habits and ideas home with them."
