When it comes to workplace wellness, actions speak louder than words. That’s why Bob Allison, co-founder and CEO of PEAR Health Labs, the AI-driven platform behind the Aaptiv fitness app, recently signed the Physical Activity Alliance (PAA) CEO Pledge for Physical Activity. This nationwide initiative calls on business leaders to adopt movement-friendly strategies that improve employee health, engagement, and productivity. The pledge supports the CDC’s Active People, Healthy Nation goal of helping 27 million Americans become more physically active by 2027.
For Bob, this commitment isn’t just a box to check. It’s a natural extension of PEAR’s mission to help create healthier, happier, and more engaged teams. “Movement has always been core to what we do,” he says. “By signing the pledge, we’re not only supporting our employees, but also encouraging other organizations to step up and prioritize physical health. Regardless of a company’s size, wellness shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be part of the culture.”
Leading the Way in Workplace Wellness
Aaptiv’s personalized employee wellness benefit already helps hundreds of thousands of employees become more active. Signing the pledge further establishes PEAR and Aaptiv as leaders in corporate wellness.
The commitment also aligns naturally with PEAR’s broader mission of helping people improve their lives through movement. “By stepping up, we hope to encourage other company leaders to put employee health and fitness front and center,” Bob says. “If our commitment helps inspire even a few more CEOs to sign the pledge, it could create a ripple effect that transforms workplace wellness nationwide.”
Why Leaders Should Step Up
Physical activity in the workplace isn’t just about fitness. It’s about improving resilience, focus, and mental well-being. When companies prioritize wellness, they can change employees’ lives. Research shows that exercise helps prevent chronic conditions, improves mental health, and increases engagement and motivation.
And the impact extends beyond any single company. When one organization takes meaningful steps to support employee fitness, it can inspire others to do the same, building momentum toward a culture where movement becomes the norm.
How PEAR Walks the Talk
To meet the pledge’s standards, companies must adopt at least three movement-friendly strategies across environment, policy, and systems. Here are a few ways PEAR has woven physical activity into daily life, both in the office and beyond:
- Weekly Run/Walk Club: Team members block time on their calendars for exercise. The office hosts twice-weekly group runs and walks, connecting in-office and remote employees through Slack, and encouraging photo sharing along the way.
- Flexible Scheduling: Employees are encouraged to structure their workday to include movement, whether it’s a yoga class, a mid-day stretch break, or even a quick surf session before their next Zoom call.
- Casual, Movement-Friendly Dress Code: Sneakers and activewear are welcome every day, making walking meetings and spontaneous workouts easy and accessible.
- Sit Less, Move More: Standing desks, yoga mats, stability balls, and resistance bands are available throughout the office to encourage quick movement breaks.
- Access to Aaptiv: Every employee receives free access to Aaptiv, offering personalized workout plans, a gym network and guided classes anytime, anywhere.
“One-off wellness events don’t create culture; it’s built into everyday habits,” says Bob. “We’ve designed an environment where moving is simply part of how we work.”
Leading by Example
The Pledge also calls on CEOs to model healthy behaviors themselves. “Sneakers are basically part of my office uniform. I’ll join the team on their weekly walks, and I’m constantly moving around the office,” Bob says. “When my team sees me taking a quick walking break, it signals that they can do the same. If leaders show that wellness is a priority, it gives everyone else permission to make it one too.”
Aaptiv Supports Leaders to Meet Employee Physical Activity Pledge Standards
PEAR’s Aaptiv fitness solution gives CEOs a simple and effective way to boost employee activity and wellness, making it easier to sign the pledge with confidence. With personalized workouts, group challenges, and clear data dashboards, leaders have the tools to inspire movement across their organizations.
“A healthy workplace starts at the top,” Bob says. “As CEOs, we set the tone. Signing this pledge isn’t just a promise. It’s a chance to lead by example and show that movement belongs in every workplace.’”
