I hear from many health coaches and wellness program managers about their frustrations of getting men involved in their corporate wellness programs.
It's no surprise since statistically speaking; men are less likely to take care of their health care needs than their female counterparts.
However, just because men don't like to "dwell" on their health issues doesn't mean that they don't want to address them.
So, here's the ugly truth..
..
men are not involved in your wellness programs because either their needs have not been addressed or the program promotional pieces have failed to speak their health language.
But don't worry! I have a five-step engagement blueprint of which I'm sharing my top 3 with you today so that you can get started right now in engaging males of all ages in your wellness programs.
Become a male wellness whisper!

1. Men want to be understood without having to ask or provide directives in how to accomplish this task.
   It's not that they want you to be a mind-reader however, most men don't feel comfortable talking about their feelings as freely as women do.
   They've been taught since childhood to "suck-it-up" or to "quit whining like a little girl.
   " Therefore, they are less likely to feel comfortable to admit that they may have a health problem for fear of appearing to be weak.
   Eliminate these fears and you're more likely to gain their attention.
   Programs that focus on what they'll gain rather than on what's wrong with them are guaranteed to be male approved.
   
2. Just like in relationships, men want programs that allow him to feel good about himself.
   Men want to feel the energy and strength that they had in the glory days of being the high school jock, captain of the football team or track star.
   But be assured that men aren't necessarily eager to regain the title as much as the energy, strength and fitness of being in "playing" shape.
   Assess the approachability and male "friendliness" of your wellness programs.
   Are there segments of the program that can address male issues or are they so general that men just can't relate? You only need to browse through the pages of Men's Health Magazine and Muscle and Fitness to discover the hot topics of interest to men.
   
3. How you set the initial wellness "tone" has great power over how well your male population becomes engaged.
   While conducting a focus group for a client, one male participant complained that the wellness program "sounded too much like his mother AND nagging wife.
   " Therefore, consider what words you are using in your communication pieces.
   Do they have emotional congruency? Meaning, do the words evoke the desired emotional action? Health promotional pieces are non-verbal approaches of communication therefore the pictures, the words and the call to action must all be congruent or else you risk confusing your male audience.
   And, we know that a confused mind doesn't buy!

If you want to truly engage the male population in wellness programs, you must first address the concerns, problems and then the ultimate solutions that encourage them to take action.
Consider crafting a specific and separate strategy to engage your male population.
It's well worth the extra effort.