Bill Gaertner, MD
Owner/sole propriator
Health Promotions Unlimited, LLC
St. Francis
What does your daily or weekly fitness regimen consist of?
Run for 15-20 min. most days. Lift weights and do calesthenics for 5-15 min.3-5 days/week. During the summer, I bike for 20-30 min most days and run a little less, and add swimming 3-5 days/week in Lake Michigan. I add in-line skating for 15-20 min.a couple of times/week in the summer, and cross country skiing a few times during the winters. I also play tennis 1-2 times/week most of the year.
What fitness clubs do you belong to, if any?
I have access to the fitness facility in my condo complex. It has a variety of machines and free weights.
Other than the obvious health benefits, how has being fit improved your life?
I enjoy the feelings of stress reduction, mood enhancement, focus, enhanced energy and less time spent sleeping when I work out. I also appreciate the social aspects of working out, as most of my friends are fitness related and fitness/sports are among of my favorite topics of conversation.
How does personal fitness affect your work life?
Longer,and more efficient work days with less tiredness at the end of the day (more energy for personal activities after work). Less work-related stress, and better moods throughout the day. I can be on top of my game all day and night.
Do you have a corporate health or wellness initiative?
No
What health/wellness organizations do you contract with, if any?
I am a board of trustees member of the National Wellness Institute.
I am employed by Interactive Health Solutions out of Arlington Heights, Illinois.
How does fitness or wellness affect your overall organization?
I have all the energy that I need to do whatever needs to be done for my organization.
What advice do you have for other executives interested in starting either a personal fitness plan or corporate wellness initiative?
For a personal fitness plan, I’d say that you couldn’t find a more productive way to invest 30-60min./day. The personal and professional benefits far outweigh the cost of time and energy as fitness is the only way I know to improve energy levels, and no busy person I know has too much time.
For their employees, it not only saves money in terms of fewer health insurance claims, less absenteeism, and more productivity, but it shows that you care about the well-being of your employees.
