Slowly, Lynette Napierala stepped on to the treadmill rails, plugging in her headset to begin her 30-minute workout. Within minutes—by the second phone call she takes—this customer service representative will have hit her stride.

“Hello, this is Lynette. How can I help you?” Napierala glanced at the computer screen before her, checked some data, all the while never missing a step.

“No referrals are needed,” she told the caller. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”

When Walk Stations were introduced last year to the 1,000 employees at Independent Health, they provided a much-needed break for desk-bound workers, whose jobs required them to take calls from members. The stations—consisting of treadmill and telephonic computer—allow employees to burn calories while addressing customer concerns of health insurance coverage.

“The customers don’t know I’m on a treadmill, but here I am being healthy,” said Napierala. “Yesterday I burned 80 calories. I want to be on it everyday. It doesn’t matter when, as long as I get a half-hour on. It gives me that extra bit of energy to rejuvenate myself instead of sitting and feeling lethargic.”

Many companies throughout the area—

Rich Products, Geico, Health- Now New York, parent of Blue- Cross BlueShield of Western New York—provide on-site fitness centers for employees to use before and after work, or during their lunch hour. Employer- sponsored weight-loss and walking clubs, too, have given workers more incentive to achieve good health.

But the walking stations, as well as a stable of bicycles for use outdoors, allow Independent Health workers a chance to combine working out and work.

“It’s part of an overall employee wellness program we have for our 1,000 employees,” said Gord Cumming, vice president of human resources at Independent Health. “We have Weight-Loss University, and Healthy Me Walking Challenge, a walking program complete with pedometers where the winning team receives prizes. It’s a positive impact on employees as well as our bottom-line cost. A healthy workplace is a more productive workplace.”

Based on research by Met- Life, the Centers for Disease Control, and the American College of Cardiology, three main conditions related to obesity are diabetes, arthritis and heart disease — and they cost employers more than $220 billion annually in medical care and lost productivity. In fact, for every $1 spent on workplace wellness programs, employers will reap a savings of between $2.30 and $10.10, according to Workplace Health Promotion Program Web site.

“It’s beneficial,” said Napierala, who after 10 minutes on the treadmill has achieved her goal of 2 mph. “After I exercise I usually have fruit or some yogurt. I’m also in the Weight Watcher program and the walking club,” she said, showing her pedometer. “I started with 2,000 steps a day and I’m up to almost 10,000.”

Health insurance costs related to obesity cost U. S. companies $8 billion, according to the American Journal of Health Promotion. Paid sick leave cost $2.4 billion and disability insurance cost $1 billion.

Outside the Williamsville headquarters of Independent Health, a pair of bicycles were stationed at the entrance of each of the four buildings, and invited employees to hop on for a ride. Baskets were also provided to carry paperwork from building to building.

“Biking is the second-best thing you can do for your body,” said Lindsey Jennetti, 22, of East Aurora, a customer-service representative. “The best thing is swimming, but I can’t swim to work.”

The fleet of 12 seven-speed mountain bikes were available on a first-come first-served basis. The men’s and women’s style cycles are locked — with keys and helmets provided inside at the reception desk.

“We’ve had the bikes here for a year,” Cumming said. “My biggest challenge was making people wear helmets.”

Each of Geico’s 12 major offices around the country offer health and wellness programs for their associates, including walking clubs, yoga classes and Weight Watcher groups. At Geico’s regional center in Getzville, many employees have grown accustomed to working out at the company gym before work. One employee credits his workout routine, launched three years ago, with helping him lose 100 pounds.

“Coming here first thing in the morning to work out is huge,” said Eric Seibold, 31, a corporate trainer and five-year Geico employee. “Three years ago I started working out, which I probably would not have done if this gym were not here. I have much more energy throughout the day. It helps me stay focused.”

Seibold starts his day at 5:30 a. m. with 20 minutes on the elliptical machine, a cardio workout he balances with a strict weight-training program he conducts at his home in West Falls. His goal?

“To bench press 400 pounds, which I should be able to do by the end of this month,” he said. “I’m really competitive, and I guess that’s what drew me to working out because it’s you against you.”

Working in Geico’s Internet sales department puts Nicole Martin, 41, in front of her computer all day. That’s why she spends 45 minutes daily working out during lunch.

“When I go back to my desk, I’m not all sleepy,” she said. “It definitely helps keep the weight off. It keeps you stronger. It’s definitely an asset to have it here.”

At Rich Products, the on-site fitness center is staffed by a personal trainer who also provides nutritional guidance, according to Dwight Gram, vice president for communications. In addition, annual wellness fairs held at Rich’s corporate and plant locations provide free health screenings for employees.

The BlueCross BlueShield’s Healthy Solutions program features a fitness center, designated walking paths around the building — including a 1.8-mile round-trip waterfront route — exercise classes like Zumba, Total Body Sculpt and Spinning, and healthy food offerings in its cafeteria and vending machines.

“We no longer serve white or sourdough bread,” said Karen- Merkel Liberatore, director of public relations. “We have reduced the baked goods we offer, and increased slightly the cost of fried foods and burgers. Initially there were people who were not pleased, but change is difficult. I love it.”