9 Deals Helping Faculty, Staff Manage Their Weight and Get Fit

Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive weight loss program, some dietary guidance, a gym membership or a new fitness tracker, the College of Charleston has a deal for you! To keep its employees happy and healthy, the College offers faculty and staff a whole array of discounts for wellness opportunities.

Below are just a few of the deals and discounts available to faculty and staff who want a thinner body, but not a thinner wallet!

1. Campus Recreation Services (CRS) Weight-Management and Fitness Opportunities

CRS offers a free Weight Management Program to the CofC community. This comprehensive semester-long program provides the best tools for long-term success by focusing on physical activity and exercise; stress management, self-regulation techniques and mindfulness-based strategies; and educational and practical nutritional strategies. Participants have access to CRS’s fitness programs and opportunities and a weight-management educational series that provides specific strategies related to practical nutrition, stress management and weight loss/maintenance. For more information or to join the program, contact Bucky Buchanan at lbuchana@cofc.edu or 3.3898.

In addition having free access to CRS’s group fitness classes and one-on-one training, faculty and staff can also access the treadmills, free weights, recumbent bicycles, weight machines, elliptical machines and rowing machines in the F. Mitchell Johnson Physical Education Center’s exercise deck for free. They may also purchase George Street Fitness Center Employee Passes for $50/semester.

Campus Recreation Services offers faculty and staff free access to the 20-plus group fitness classes offered every week. (Photo by Heather Moran)

2. Dining Services Dietitian Support

College of Charleston employees with the $160 Faculty and Staff Meal Plan through Dining Services have free access to the College’s campus dietician, who can provide services like nutritional counseling, personalized weekly meal plans, healthy recipes and food allergen solutions. Payment plans for the Faculty and Staff Meal Plan are available. For more information and to purchase the Faculty and Staff Meal Plan, visit the Dining Services website.

3. Blue365

BlueCross Blue Shield of South Carolina (BCBS) members get exclusive deals and discounts on a wide range of health and wellness brands around the country, including weight loss and nutrition programs, fitness centers and fitness gear and events. Some current nutrition program deals include Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem and InsideTracker discounts.

Blue365 members also enjoy exclusive discounts on memberships at thousands of fitness centers and specialty studios nationwide through the Gym Network 360. Other current fitness deals include discounts on Garmin devices, fitbit devices, TRX products, Rugged Maniac race registrations, Fitness Your Way and Gym Pass memberships.

To access these and other discounts, log into BCBS and click Blue365 Discounts under the Resources tab.

4. Wondr (formerly Naturally Slim)

The State Health Plan covers 100 percent of the cost of this 10-week online program for members, including spouses and dependent children age 18 and older – a $450 value. Medicare-primary members are also eligible to apply. Participants also receive a full year of support and personalized content after the initial 10 weeks. Wondr uses weekly video lessons and interactive tools to teach the behavioral skills necessary to lose weight and keep it off. Classes begin four times a year, and the application for each class opens approximately one month before the class starts. For more information and to apply for an upcoming class, visit the PEBA website.

5. Rally

Rally is a web and mobile platform offered at no cost to State Health Plan primary members age 16 and older. The platform provides personalized recommendations to get you moving more, eating better and feeling happier. For more information and to register, log into your BCBS account and select Rally under the Wellness tab.

There are several weight-management programs available for discounted prices for faculty and staff that combine diet and lifestyle changes. (Photo by Reese Moore)

6. Perks at Work

The College’s employee assistance program, Deer Oaks EAP, offers a variety of discounts through the Perks At Work program, including $105 off of Home Chef; free access to 40+ free, weekly classes live on Thursdays or on demand 24/7 through Community Online Academy; and fitness deals for everything from Gold’s Gym to SWEAT memberships. To access the Perks At Work website, first log into Deer Oaks website, then click on Savings Center under the Centers tab. From there, follow the directions to register for the Perks At Work access.

7. Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Weight Management Center

State employees receive significant discounts on several weight-management programs offered by the MUSC Weight Management Center, including First Step, Focus 15, Focus 23 and Focus 27, Focus Carolina and HealthFast. The MUSC Weight Management Center’s programs emphasize long-term lifestyle changes that are important for success in the long run. CofC employees may also pay through payroll deduction, allowing them to pay over time rather than upfront. Visit the MUSC Weight Management Center’s website for more information about programming and to register.

8. MUSC Wellness Center

College of Charleston employees are eligible for a reduced rate for membership at the MUSC Wellness Center, which has a junior-Olympic swimming pool, two weight rooms, a large cardio room, a full-court gymnasium, a boxing studio, racquetball and squash courts, a group cycle studio, group exercise rooms, yoga and Pilates studios, an outdoor running track and tennis and basketball courts. Members also have access to the 80+ group fitness classes and bootcamps offered at the wellness center. CofC employees may also pay through payroll deduction, allowing them to pay over a year rather than upfront. To get the discounted membership rate, call 843.792.5757 or visit their website.