Employee Fitness: A Smart Investment, Not an Expense
Incorporating fitness into your benefits package is more than just an added perk; it’s an investment that saves you money in the form of healthier, more productive employees.
- 41% of employees report an improvement in their productivity when they are more active.
- Regular exercise can increase these productivity levels by up to 30%.
- Physical activity can help employees manage stress 46% more effectively.
- Exercising regularly reduces the risk of depression by 30%.
The return on investment of fitness benefits
With the average employee losing 6.1 days per year to formal absenteeism and 43.6 days to presenteeism, it’s easy to see how encouraging physical activity can have a significant impact on results of your business.
A 30% increase in productivity could translate into 13 extra days of productivity per year, saving your business around £1,256 per employee per year.
How fitness transforms work performance
Fitness isn’t just about getting stronger or fitter: it has a direct impact on work results. Here’s how regular physical activity benefits employees and the business:
- Improved cognitive function: Exercise improves brain health, improving memory, creativity and problem-solving skills.
- Increased Energy Levels: Regular workouts increase energy and improve sleep, helping employees stay focused and alert throughout the day.
- Better stress management: Fitness helps employees manage stress more effectively while increasing their self-confidence.
- Team Building: Group workouts promote stronger team bonds, strengthening workplace culture and communication.
- Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism: Employees in better shape are less likely to miss work or underperform due to illness or stress.
5 key reasons to promote fitness in the workplace
- Increased Productivity: As mentioned earlier, active employees can be 30% more productive, gaining 2.4 additional hours of work in an 8-hour day.
- Reduced stress: Employees who exercise manage their stress better by 46%, helping them cope with high-pressure situations.
- Improved mental health: Regular physical activity reduces the risk of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems by 30%.
- Better physical health: Exercise reduces the risk of serious health problems like heart disease, stroke and obesity.
- Stronger company culture: Offering fitness benefits shows employees that their well-being, both on and off the job, matters.
Understand why some employees avoid exercising
Despite the well-known benefits, some employees might still be willing to exercise or join a gym. Here are some common obstacles and how to overcome them:
- Time constraints: Offer flexible fitness benefits, like access to multiple gyms and fitness centers across the country.
- Gym shyness: Include beginner-friendly classes, personal training sessions, or other support to ease the entry of new users.
- Cost issues: Offer discounted memberships to make fitness accessible without the high price tag.
- Lack of motivation: Implement friendly fitness challenges or fun activities to keep things engaging.
- Knowledge gaps: Offer workshops or educational resources to help employees feel more confident getting started.
- Anxiety: Some employees may feel too old or out of shape. Make sure you offer fitness options that are inclusive and non-intimidating.
Tailor fitness benefits to your diverse workforce
Fitness isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and your fitness benefits shouldn’t be either. When rolling out your program, consider tailoring your communications to different segments of your staff.
For example, office staff could benefit from exercises to combat a sedentary lifestyle and reduce posture-related injuries. Meanwhile, manual workers could focus on muscle strengthening to avoid work-related injuries and reduce muscle soreness.
Executives who often have busy schedules might be more interested in short, high-impact workouts to start their day off right. Remote workers might appreciate access to virtual classes or company-wide fitness challenges to stay connected.
Engage employees with fitness benefits
Although the health benefits of exercise are widely recognized, they won’t matter unless employees are genuinely interested in your fitness offerings. Here are four key considerations when choosing a fitness benefit that will resonate with your team:
- Location: Convenience is key: make sure your options match how, when and where employees want to workout.
- Cost: Price can be a significant barrier. Offer affordable options that will appeal to even your most reluctant employees.
- Variety: People like choice. Offer a range of fitness activities tailored to different preferences and fitness levels.
- Flexibility: providing access to a network of gyms, classes and facilities suited to different schedules and locations.
With 48% of employees wanting fitness-related benefits and 63% considering employee benefits when looking for a job, offering a robust fitness program not only supports current employees, but also makes your company more attractive to new talents.
Has your employer recently revised its fitness benefits? Enjoy discounted access to our network of gyms as an employee benefit. refer your HR team.