Whether it’s running, swimming, aerobics, yoga or karate,

professionals with hectic schedules are taking time out to exercise. Some work

out together while others do it alone, relieving stress as they sweat. Looking

to improve their employees’ health—and reduce medical claims—more companies

meanwhile are offering workplace wellness programs and discounts on health club

memberships. We asked on-the-go business owners and executives: How often do

you exercise?

Colleen Kvetko, president and chief executive officer, Fifth

Third Bank, Florida:

I get up at 5:30 a.m. and do weights and the bike or

treadmill in my workout room for an hour every weekday. If I have an early

meeting, I either bike or rollerblade or exercise at home that evening. On

Saturday and Sunday I walk and then bike the loop around the Vineyards. I carry

business cards, which I’ll pass out to people, and a pen and paper to write

down ideas.

In order for me to be 100 percent at work, I need to keep in

shape. If you’re not healthy, how effective are you going to be at work?

Ron Inge, vice president of business development, Florida

Rock Industries:

I work out with Bill Lawton of Geraci Travel, Realtor Denny

Grimes and Randy Thomas with Aramark at Gold’s Gym in Fort Myers. We meet at 5

a.m. and work out for an hour and a half, doing weights, aerobics or taking a

spinning class. Working out keeps me mentally sharp.

Mary Coombs, owner of Coombs Electric in Naples:

I go to the gym three times a week, where I do weights and

interval training with my personal trainer, Jon Bates. Three times a week I use

the gym and pool in Countryside. In my job, weight training gives me strength

to lift materials that I deliver to job sites.

Matt Hanson, co-owner, Salty Sam’s Marina, Fort Myers Beach:

I try to work out three times a week at Hammerhead Beach

Gym. I do weights because I get enough cardio at work—we’re on 10 acres and I

do a lot of walking throughout the day.

Gary Fluharty, developer of Banyan Trace, Cape Coral:

I run four miles one or two times a week and play basketball

at the YMCA three days. A group of us (including Lee Memorial Hospital’s Jim

Nathan, Northern Trust’s Joe Catti and the United Way of Lee County’s Cliff

Smith) run together every Saturday at 6:30 a.m. We meet at Summerlin Road and

Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers. How far we run depends on whether or not

we’re training for a marathon.

Dr. Johnn Griffith, Griffith Cosmetic and Family Dental

Care, Naples:

I exercise five days a week at Karate USA. After 12 minutes

on the treadmill, I bench-press and do squats, curls, pull-ups, push-ups,

sit-ups. My wife, Diana (also a dentist), and I run a couple of miles on the

weekend in the Vineyards.

Backaches are a complaint among dentists. Exercising gives

us stronger muscles in our backs.