A New Theory On Working Out

My cardiologist and my dog’s vet were equally frustrated this week over our lack of sustained exercise and recent dietary decisions – mine leading to elevated calcium scores, Zaggy’s to what seems to be a combo of sleep apnea and GERD.  Who knew dogs could get those? So we both turned on Rocky’s Gonna Fly Now this week in search of renewing movement – Zaggy chased squirrels, I found my way to Orange Theory after a 4-year hiatus from the hit gym class that measures performance in so-called “splat points,” the theory being that putting each person’s points up on a public TV monitor is a way to push people to be their best.  I have a theory that it makes me nauseous. In my first week, for some reason, I had zero splat points in both my visits—the lowest in the class, 40 worse than my bride and 50 worse than my daughter leading me to believe that managing my own care is exhausting, humiliating and undoubtedly hurting my status in the family.  The hit gym classes aren’t just winning with families, millennials and 30 and 40 somethings, they are getting the attention of self-insured employers and a few large payers too. I asked a half dozen benefits administrators for leading employers with more than 15,000 employees – and all but one are looking at developing a contract and perhaps a pilot program to measure productivity and wellness for employees and several mentioned the popular Orange Theory as a possible partner. The theory is that the class meets you where you’re at, improves strength and conditioning and, according to one analysis, reduces prescription spending, absenteeism and A1c scores. Some said these pseudo gym classes likely have better long-term results compared to the GLP-1 weight loss drugs. We will have to see. I’m just hopeful splat points won’t be a measure companies or insurers use to set premiums and benefits, at least not until I figure out how to do more than 3 burpees without needing to “take five” in the corner.