If you want to get fit the right way, don’t just blindly hit the gym and expect to see results with a random exercise regime. You need to assess and listen to your body first.

Gulf News staffers got to take this step with the help of trainers from Dubai-based BeStrong, a fitness outfit that offers science-backed coaching and training sessions, on Monday during the Fitness Awareness Campaign at the company’s head office.

The staff were provided with body composition assessment and functional screening movement of the joints, the results of which were shared immediately with them so they can plan which action to take.

Aleksandar Grujicic, head Ttrainer and co-founder of BeStrong, said a scientific fitness approach that assesses one’s physical condition scientifically is crucial before anyone should start exercising for better understanding of the body and injury prevention.

“Science will tell us what is good and what is bad for us. No one should start exercising with someone if you didn’t do the assessment first. If you didn’t have a proper assessment, how will the trainer know what he needs to do with you? It works the same way with how a doctor treats a patient — they do a physical check-up first,” 

The two-day initiative is part of Gulf News’ corporate social responsibility and objective to encourage employees to stay fit.

“Gulf News is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of our staff. We have a series of health-focused activities and campaigns laid out throughout the year for our employees and this is just one of them,” K.C. Nissar, Personnel and Administration Manager at Gulf News, said.

“A healthy workforce is always better for the company as well as for the employee. You can avoid many mental and physical problems if you are healthy and alert. More importantly, it’s for the individual so they can properly target the areas where they need to improve.”

A healthy workforce also boosts productivity, Lavkesh Grover, HR Officer, said.

“The fitter you are, the less anxiety or less stress you have, thereby, it promotes better productivity in the workplace. You will not be falling sick frequently and that would eventually help in managing people better or yourself better,” Grover said, adding it also creates a ripple effect in the community.

Apart increasing productivity, a healthy workforce creates a happy workplace.

“When people have a healthy mind, they are happy. When they are happy, their workplace becomes happier and people will want to work there,” Nilanjana Javed, HR Officer, said.

Poor health is often the result of people’s sedentary lifestyle, something Anupam Shivnani, accounting manager who participated in the assessment, agrees with.

“Because we sit all the time, the hip area is where we get all the pressure of the body. Our legs don’t move a lot so our leg muscles become weak,” she said. “I consider myself healthy and a bit strong but this assessment proved that I am not as strong as I thought and that I need to work on it. This is a good eye-opener.”