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
The College of Charleston’s Campus Recreation Services (CRS) offers a comprehensive fitness and wellness program for the CofC community, including wellness and fitness workshops, individual fitness assessments and a comprehensive semester-long weight management program that 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.
Faculty and staff also have free access to any of the group fitness classes that CRS offers, including the faculty/staff-only HIIT-style class, Cougar Fit, and everything from yoga and Zumba to kickboxing and indoor cycling.
RELATED: Find out more about Cougar Fit, the group fitness class just for CofC faculty and staff.
And those who prefer to work out on their own have plenty of options, too: Employees not only have free access to the treadmills, free weights, recumbent bicycles, weight machines, elliptical machines and rowing machines in the F. Mitchell Johnson Physical Education Center’s workout area (take a quick tour of the space in the 360-video below), but they may also purchase George Street Fitness Center Employee Passes for $50/semester.
For more information on any of the programming offered by CRS, contact Bucky Buchanan, assistant director of fitness, at lbuchana@cofc.edu or 3.3898.
2. 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 nutrition program deals currently being featured include Jenny Craig, incentaHealth and InsideTracker discounts.
Blue365 members also enjoy exclusive discounts on memberships at thousands of fitness centers and specialty studios (e.g., Gold’s Gym, Anytime Fitness, Curves, etc.) nationwide through the Gym Network 360, Fitness Your Way and Gym Pass memberships. Other current fitness deals include discounts on fitbit devices and TRX products,
To access these and other discounts, log into BCBS and click Blue365 Discounts under the Resources tab.
3. Rally
Rally is a web and mobile platform offered at no cost to State Health Plan primary members age 16 and older. Rally will show you how to make simple changes to your daily routine, set goals for yourself and stay on target, providing 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.
4. Wondr Health (formerly Naturally Slim)
The State Health Plan covers 100% 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. Naturally Slim 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. Health Coaching
State Health Plan members have free access to a health coach who can help with behavioral health issues, chronic conditions, healthy lifestyles and maternity support. Coaches can offer support regarding a variety of health conditions and wellness goals, including:
- Stress management
- Asthma
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for adults
- Back health
- Bipolar disorder
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Metabolic health
- Migraines
- Tobacco cessation
- Weight management
The team of nationally accredited health coaches accessible through this program includes registered nurses, dietitians, health educators, licensed behavioral health specialists and other health and wellbeing professionals who can help you not just manage your symptoms, but also delay or even prevent many of the complications of these diseases.
Health coaching is available online or via phone at no cost. For more information and to register, log into your BCBS account and select Health Coaching under the Wellness tab or call BlueCross at 855.838.5897.
6. 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.
7. Perks at Work
The College’s employee assistance program, Deer Oaks EAP, offers a variety of discounts through the Perks at Work program, including:
- Healthy eating perks like $115 off of Home Chef and 50% off of HelloFresh
- Fitness deals on everything from Garmin devices to SWEAT memberships
- Free access to live and on-demand fitness, wellness and nutrition classes through Community Online Academy
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.
RELATED: Check out other ways faculty and staff can save.
8. TicketsAtWork
TicketsAtWork offers College of Charleston employees plenty of health and wellness discounts, including Fabletics shopping deals and subscriptions for Green Chef, Blue Apron, the Calm App and the Transform App.
To enroll, visit the TicketsAtWork registration page and use your @cofc.edu email address and the company code COUGARPERKSFUN.
9. 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 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.
10. 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.
