Volkswagen Orders US Workforce To Get Fit and Requires MANDATORY Fitness Program

Volkswagen is requiring production workers hired for its new U.S. assembly plant to go through a fitness program on top of the usual job training, aiming to forge an "industrial athlete" who can lift, grip, bend and push without flagging.

VW formally opened its training academy at the $1 billion plant site Friday. But dozens of workers hired ahead of a projected production start early next year have already been building their bodies there before they start building cars.

Volkswagen Chattanooga spokesman Scott Wilson said the workouts are aimed at better product quality when the German automaker starts building a midsized sedan at the plant, which is expected to create about 2,000 jobs. He said time in the classroom, hands-on training and fitness training are all "focused on getting each and every one of us, no matter what our job is at the plant, prepared to show up and perform at the highest level of professional excellence."

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Agent009 - 6/7/2010 10:39:10 AM

+5 Boost

LOL, it would seem so. The good thing is even desk workers are affected and they are paying them to get fit.

This probably will lower health care cost for them and injury claims.

uaw_lax - 6/7/2010 12:06:36 PM

+7 Boost

Hey lets make this mandatory for all jobs in the US!

Agent009 - 6/7/2010 1:15:16 PM

+4 Boost

If employers would look at it in the same light, with increased productivity and a more healthy workforce, then I agree. It probably is a cost effective solution for everyone.

uaw_lax - 6/8/2010 4:35:26 AM

-1 Boost

Well lets start at autospies and monitor it's progress!

PlanB - 6/7/2010 12:13:20 PM

+4 Boost

Guess they want them to be able to fit into the cars they actually build.

lexusrox123 - 6/7/2010 4:50:48 PM

+4 Boost

Kinda sad that an employer has to force people to exercise instead of the employees being active outside of work already. But whatever works, I guess. Personally, I find it quite humourous.

85bmw745i - 6/7/2010 8:03:47 PM

+3 Boost

I support their idea. People will be healthier, and in better shape, resulting in less people calling in sick, lowering health care cost and increasing productivity. I work at Schlumberger and they reimburse a portion of our costs for gym membership. Even without the gym we get one hell of a workout rigging up iron swinging a sledge hammer and running equipment in 100 degree weather

truckman - 6/8/2010 6:07:55 AM

+3 Boost

This is a great idea, Japanese companies do this too, And I did push ups right after reading this article.

TheDepressingTruth - 6/12/2010 2:58:00 PM

+1 Boost

Achtung! Es werden auch Übungen, und Sie werden es genießen!
Sieg Heil!
Sieg Heil!!
Sieg Heil!!!