The Resurgence of In-Person Fitness: Part 2 – A Boon for Employee Health and Organizational Success
Written by: Elisa Denning, CFW Marketing and Fitness Expert
As we continue to explore the resurgence of in-person fitness, it's essential to understand its impact on corporate health and fitness. At Corporate Fitness Works, we believe that investing in employee health and fitness leads to significant organizational benefits. This article will discuss how in-person fitness positively influences corporate fitness centers and provide practical steps for employers to support their employees' well-being.
The Connection to Employee Health and Fitness
With more employees returning to the office, organizations have a unique opportunity to align this growing trend by promoting and supporting in-person fitness activities. Investing in employee health and fitness has proven benefits, including increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and improved mental health.
Benefits for Organizations
- Increased Productivity: Healthier employees tend to be more productive. A publication from the World Health Organization (WHO) sites that workplace health programs can reduce absenteeism by 27% and healthcare costs for companies by 26%. Additionally, a study in the UK found employees to be 72% more efficient in their time management on days they exercised.
- Improved Mental Health: Regular physical activity is linked to lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. According to the American Institute of Stress, 83% of U.S. employees indicate they suffer from daily work-related stress. Encouraging fitness as part of the workday can help combat stress, prevent burnout, and create a more positive and resilient workforce.
- Enhanced Company Culture: Offering fitness programs can improve employee morale and foster a sense of community within the organization. This can lead to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates. A 2022 study from MetLife found employees who are are holistically healthy are 74% more likely to have higher job satisfaction and 51% more likely to stay at their job for the next 12 months.
Practical Steps for Employers
To capitalize on the trend towards in-person fitness and realize these benefits, organizations can implement several strategies and revisit approaches that may have taken a back seat during remote or hybrid work.
On-Site Fitness Facilities & Equipment: Investing in on-site gyms or fitness centers provides convenient access for employees. With overall employee fitness interest at a peak, now is an ideal time to elevate existing facilities, upgrade equipment, and designate spaces for top trends like functional training and workout recovery.
Fitness Rewards & Incentives: Offering rewards and incentives for utilizing the onsite fitness center, participating in a lifestyle behavior program, or attending fitness classes is an effective way to encourage employees to engage with the onsite benefits and stay active long term.
Fitness Challenges & Community Engagement: Incorporating activity challenges, specialty fitness classes, recreation leagues, and health education into the workplace can promote a culture of health. These types of programs create variety in the offering and bring together employees of diverse backgrounds and interest to strengthen the overall sense of community. Employees from different departments engage with each other and create powerful peer support for sustaining healthy, productive behavior within the workplace and beyond.
Flexible Schedules & Accessibility: Allowing flexible work schedules can enable employees to fit physical activity into their day. It is critical for leadership to promote time of exercise as part of the workday and encourage usage in the onsite facilities and/or digital apps for a quick activity break and stress relief. Virtual platforms implemented during remote or hybrid work are still very valuable in this landscape. They create an extension of the onsite facilities and professional fitness staff that can be accessible at home, while traveling for work, or during vacation.
Partner with Fitness Management Professionals: A professional fitness management company will ensure the successful execution of the above strategies along with day-to-day operations and the continuous evaluation of program effectiveness. CFW’s professional fitness managers bring expertise in designing and running engaging fitness programs, challenges, and classes that cater to diverse employee needs. We stay on top of the industry trends and handle everything from staffing and equipment maintenance to organizing fitness initiatives, so you don’t have to. Moreover, their ability to analyze data and measure program outcomes ensures that the fitness center delivers maximum value and a significant return on investment.
The resurgence of in-person fitness presents a valuable opportunity for organizations to invest in employee well-being. By supporting in-person fitness activities, companies can boost productivity, enhance mental health, and foster a positive workplace culture. At Corporate Fitness Works, we are dedicated to helping organizations achieve these benefits through our tailored fitness solutions. Learn more about our Corporate Fitness Solutions or connect with our team to schedule a discovery call.