American Heart Association

Start! Fit-Friendly Companies

The American Heart Association is recognizes employers who go above and beyond when it comes to their employees’ health. The goal is to reward companies for their progressive leadership and highlight their concern for their staff. By doing so, more companies will follow your lead and employ physical activity practices such as:

• Providing walking routes
• Promoting walking programs, online newsletters and tracking tools to motivate employees.
• Allowing staff to wear athletic shoes in the workplace on designated "sneaker days."

You can view the listing of Start! Fit-Friendly Companies including the University of North Dakota in the October 27, 2008 edition of Forbes Magazine.

The University of North Dakota received the Worksite Fitness Innovation Award in 2008.

Worksite Fitness Innovation Award
Awarded twice a year, the Worksite Fitness Innovation Award is given to a worksite/company that achieves all criteria for "Gold-level"* recognition. This special award is given to companies that lead the development and implementation of innovative and effective programs that promote physical activity specifically in the workplace.

“Gold-level” recognition is for companies that fulfill criteria such as offering employees physical activity support, increasing healthy eating options at work, promoting a wellness culture, as well as implementing at least six of the physical activities, two of the nutrition activities and one of the culture activities listed in the Start! application form.