Indianapolis restaurant offering unique health benefits - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Finding enough time to exercise in the day can be rough, but a local company is using technology to motivate employees to move. 

Running around is all in a day's work for Thr3e Wise Men kitchen manager Russ Chargualaf. From the kitchen, to the customers, he is constantly on the move, and the Nike Fuelband is tracking it all.

"It monitors my steps. My calories and my Nike fuel which comes from my weight and height."

It's a piece of the puzzle to Russ's well-being, supported by his boss, Scott Wise.

"I don't care what you want to do, just do something to stay fit," said Wise.

The restaurant owner knows in order to eat good food, you have to burn calories. "I run a restaurant of American comfort food, which equals french fries, hamburgers, pizza and beer."

Fitness is a big part of his life, and he wants to pass along the physical and mental benefits to his employees. The solution? Offer Nike Fuelbands to his management team, and help pad their health spending accounts.

"If you put the band on every day and you meet the goal, then what we're going to do is not only reimburse you the cost of the band, but give you an extra $150 into your HSA account," said Wise.

Worker Wendy Hantelman accepted the challenge.

"Exercise was just never a priority for me. This forces us to make it a priority," said Hantelman.

Since the launch, the single mother of two has made fitness a priority, partially because employees can compete against each other, and hold one another accountable, by linking their data.

"I know someone else is going to notice if I don't get on it and see because my points wont be where they should have been."

Paul Ashley helps companies like Scott's with employee benefits.

"The motivation here is for people to be healthy, productive and really live a more fulfilled life, so that's the opportunity that Scott has given his employees by sponsoring this kind of program," said Ashley.

At Thr3e Wise Men, Russ covers a lot of ground, but knows he needs more intense exercise after work.

"If I know I'm having a long day, I'll increase my goal for that day so when I leave work there is still room for me to push and still room for me to have activity with my kids swimming, or fishing, which I do a lot.

In less than a month, Russ has noticed big changes.

"I wake up with more energy. I go to sleep feeling a lot better. I don't have as much anxiety as I used to. It's part of my lifestyle. I plug it in when I'm sleeping. When I wake up, it's the first thing I put on so it's a reminder saying 'hey, this is the start of my day.' Am I going to achieve my goal?'"

Scott hopes to expand the program and set up teams of employees. In fact, Russ and Wendy say they can't wait to go up against others.

Something else, Russ and Wendy's kids are holding them accountable; checking on them to see if they meet their daily goals, and if they haven't, they suggest a family walk.