According to Time Magazine, a new study published in the June issue of the Journal of Labor Research has found that employees who exercise regularly (3+ hours per week) earn about 9% more than those who don’t exercise.
The results of the study were determined by scoring each study subject based on factors like age and education level. Some of the participants exercise, some don’t. By comparing subjects with similar scores, the study indicated that those who exercised earned higher wages of about 9%.
Previous studies have also shown similar results. A 2007 study, for example, found that women who were obese earned an average of 18% less than those who weren’t. Those who were overweight also had 25% less family income.
You may be inclined to think that taking time out of your busy day to exercise, and paying for a gym membership negates the supposed extra 9% you’d earn. But considering that (according to the Labor Department), the average hourly wage in the U.S. is $23.41, the 3 hours spent at the gym is valued at $70.23. The extra 9% pay the exercising employee receives is $84.28, which equals to about 20% more than the value of the time spent at the gym. These calculations suggest that the time at the gym more than pays for itself, and a good portion of the work force really does need it.
According to a study by CareerBuilder, 44% of workers have gained weight while being employed in their current job. Jobs that are notorious “weight-gainers” include: law, social work, teaching, and public relations.
Of course hitting the gym doesn’t guarantee a raise, but we all know that exercise has been proven to improve overall health, boost mental function, increase energy and improve mood. So, if it doesn’t at least get you positively noticed in the workplace, exercising will at the very least help you do your job with more ease.
So what have you got to lose except maybe a few pounds?
Hit the gym! You got everything to gain! Maybe even a few extra bucks!
To help motivate you, my next article will be: Desk-ercsing: Working Out at Work.
Resources: Time, SmartMoney, The Huffington Post
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