Certified fitness trainer Janet McCarthy, who believes fitness in the workplace can improve personal effectiveness and benefit an organization’s bottom line, will bring her message to a free lunchtime lecture on Tuesday, Aug. 28.

McCarthy’s presentation will be the third of four presentations held in the 2018 Encourage Health Education Series.

It comes as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates nearly 60 percent of employees do not get adequate exercise, and a 2014 article in Corporate Wellness magazine said unhealthy lifestyle choices cause up to 90 percent of healthcare spending cost American businesses more than one trillion dollars a year in lost productivity.

This, McCarthy said, is why workplace wellness programs are more important than ever.

“These programs educate employees on how to feel better on the job, both mentally and physically, but they also foster better work performance and can actually decrease turnover rates,” McCarthy said. “They are a win for employee and employer.”

She said workplace fitness programs also can create an atmosphere of camaraderie, making workers feel more valued and instilling a greater sense of goodwill toward the employer.

McCarthy is a personal trainer and instructor at Memorial Health, Savannah Golf Club, Hunter Army Airfield and the Landings Club. She earned a bachelor of science degree in communications with a health science focus from Georgia Southern University and is certified by Interactive Fitness Trainers of America in personal training, aqua aerobics and spin.

During the Encourage Health event, a $1,000 grant will be presented to the Savannah Derby Devils for encouraging female athleticism and adult exercise through skating. The women’s flat-track roller derby league promotes the sport of roller derby and works to empower women of all shapes, sizes and walks of life to develop their full potential whether as a skating athlete, staff support or event volunteer. The group organizes practices, coordinates fundraising events and develops training clinics.

This marks the fifth year for the Enmarket Encourage Health Education Series conducted in partnership with Healthy Savannah, Sandfly Family Dental, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Clover Health, Hoist Water, Savannah Morning News and Savannah Magazine.

Each of the presentations in the 2018 Enmarket Encourage Health Education Series will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Demere Center for Living, located at 6000 Business Center Dr, Savannah, GA 31405.

To register for this or any of the upcoming lectures, visit www.healthysavannah.org.