HIITing the spot - The benefits of exercising at work
Our senior account manager, Jo Murray, has been putting us through our paces with our weekly fitness class. It helps us to keep our mind, body and soul active and most importantly, raise vital funds for charities close to our hearts. We caught up with Jo to find out more about HIIT classes, how it begun and the community she's helped build at Generator Studios.
Why did you decide to set up HIIT club in the first place?
“When we returned to the office after COVID, we realised that while we were all together, we weren’t making enough time to socialise. We wanted to do something more engaging than just grabbing coffee. Since I’m also a fitness instructor, I thought, why not set up a group exercise session?
“We discussed it for a while, and around that time, my nephew was diagnosed with leukaemia on New Year’s Eve 2021. I had previously organised fitness events and charity walks to raise money for Children’s Cancer North, so decided to ask for donations to the charity from all the class attendees”
Can you remember the first few sessions you ran?
Jo: “We started small, just a few of us from Gardiner Richardson, contributing a couple of pounds each and working out for half an hour during lunchtime to get fit and energised. It gradually grew into a regular HIIT session involving all the businesses in Generator Studios.
“It’s been wonderful for team bonding, breaking down silos, and creating a sense of community across the company. One of our directors, Lucy, has been really involved which has promoted it across the agency.”
"The sessions significantly contribute to wellbeing. Taking 30 minutes away from the desk and not working through lunch is crucial. Research consistently suggests stepping away from work, but it’s often ignored due to busy schedules. These sessions provide a necessary break, boosting endorphins and physical and mental health. They help clear the mind and renew focus for the afternoon, making it a win-win situation.”
What role has Gardiner Richardson and Generator Studios played in the HIIT sessions?
Jo: “Generator Studios generously provided us with the space, and now it’s not just Gardiner Richardson employees participating, but also others from the studio.
“It has become a lovely Tuesday afternoon session where we all work out, have fun, and get a boost of energy for the afternoon. For me, it’s been particularly meaningful as it supports the charity and has a significant impact on our team’s wellbeing.”
How important is the social aspect and bringing people together from around the office and building in general?
“Many people who come along I hadn’t met before, even though we’ve worked in the same building for years! Everyone’s usually focused on getting to their own office space. This initiative allows us to meet different people from various companies within the studio.
“Now, we even have a running club involving more people. Initially, it was women-only, but now men are joining too. It’s a positive social experience done in a healthy way, unlike socialising that involves bars or cafes.
“It’s a wonderful way to bring people together without spending a lot of money.”
To find out more on how support Children’s Cancer North, follow the link here: https://childrenscancernorth.org.uk/
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