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CEOs and other executives across the globe have become well-aware of how employee health, and fitness impact the work and overall well being. A happy and fit work team is a productive workforce. Hence organizations are coming up with wellness programs that benefit business objectives on multiple levels.
Hence, corporate gyms are the foundation of a corporate wellness program as they represent the physical-fitness side of a wellness drive. They are very convenient, and accessible means for employees to keep their fitness in check, and also build relationships with teammates apart from work-hours. Thus, many corporate companies and organizations have been considering and acting upon setting up a gym in their office spaces for their employees.
Let us dive deep into its advantages and corporate gym setup details in this article.
Advantages of Having a Corporate Gym
Employee Motivation
As per research, it is said that the productivity of the employees of workplaces that offered fitness benefits such as gyms increased by 89%. Productivity has also been linked to a happier and healthier work environment.
Improved Productivity Due to Lesser Leaves
Healthier workers miss fewer days of work due to sick leaves. Lesser leaves by employees can result in more productivity at work meeting the required targets.
Gaining New Recruits and Retaining Current Employees
Through fitness benefits, you can ensure your employees’ mental and physical well-being, hence they are less likely to quit the job (unless other factors are involved) and work productively as they would realize that the organization is also considering the employees health. A company gym can add to your organization’s appeal and agency culture, which new employees would count this as an added benefit when choosing between job offers.
Company/Brand Value
Spending on your workforce’s health, fitness and wellbeing is seen as a good initiative as an organization. It creates a positive impression among other companies and employees and also can add value to your firm’s image.
Corporate Gym Space Planning with Equipment
After knowing the various advantages of setting up a corporate gym, are you planning on installing a corporate gym in your office space? If yes, then let’s begin by knowing the office gym equipment and then walk you through the different aspects to consider before you start the process.
Knowing the Types of Office Gym Equipment:
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular training as we all know includes machines like treadmill, cycling etc. and regular cardiovascular training can have many short and long term benefits to the mind and body, such as increased energy and productivity.
Strength Training
Strength training equipment is a great way to develop and enhance muscle strength capability. For strength training equipment there are various machines for training different parts of the body effectively, such as shoulder/chest press machine, leg curl/extension machine etc. These machine machines can be designed to match your office colours and design.
Functional Rigs
Fitness rigs and power racks are great for a corporate gym as they can enable multiple people to train using a single unit. These workstations allow for multiple exercise options in a single place, with the added benefit that they can also be used for storage of weight plates.
Compact Fitness Equipment
Compact fitness equipment as the name suggests do not occupy a lot of floor space yet offer multiple exercise options. This type of equipment is great for offices with a smaller gym space.
Know Your Employees to Select the Right Equipment for Your Corporate Gym
Setting up a corporate gym is not just about arranging a few pieces of equipment, it’s much more than that, hence it’s better to know things well before you get started.
You should find out your staff’s needs to make sure that they feel this gym facility is beneficial and thus they will avail the facility.
Maybe take a survey of your employees to know what they want– some may be interested in meditation, while others may be more inclined towards strength training, or functional training.
Make sure you’re looking for a brand that provides machines with good biomechanics so that they can target the right muscles and train them effectively.
By including a range of equipment that can be used by the majority of employees as per their needs, you can design an inclusive space that won’t be left unused.
Gym Equipment Brands
Once you know your staff, their requirements and which machines you need to buy, it’s time for you to know the right brands for a particular segment of machines.
- For strength training you can opt for brands such as Into Wellness, Rogers Athletic and Life Fitness.
- For cardio equipment, the best known brands are True Fitness, Precor and Spirit.
- Similarly for fitness accessories which can be very useful for corporate gyms, you can select American Barbell, Eleiko, Rogue Fitness.
Gym Layout as per Equipment
The space you’ll need for a good airy corporate gym is a minimum of 100 sqm. However, it also depends on the size of your office and the number of employees.
Functional fitness exercise and HIIT involve different types of movement, HIIT is more aerobic, focusing on getting your heart rate up, while functional fitness involves proper form, core strength, and reps. Depending on the type of training and equipment, the fitness facility needs to be divided into specified workout zones.
Similarly weight training or free weights need to be in a separate area as they require a different kind of flooring to hold on to the weights without damaging the floor.
With newer ideas coming out each day on the internet and social media platforms, there’s a lot of room for creativity in designing a corporate gym.
Points to Remember while Planning and Installing
Separate Areas for Weight Training and Cardio
As mentioned above, flooring needs to be different, especially for weight training zones. There are many gym flooring options that are made specially for weight training areas, which absorb the impact of weights, thus avoiding the floor from getting damaged and even keep the equipment maintained.
Locker Room/Changing Room
In a corporate gym, your employees would be dressed up in formal attire, having a locker room or changing room is extremely essential as they can quickly change into their workout clothes and be ready to exercise.
Good Sound System and/or TV set-up
Corporate organizations are spaces where everyone is working on their own targets; a gym here is considered to be a recreational area hence having a good sound system with music playing or a big enough TV screen for employees entertainment while working out can be ideal.
Mirrored Walls Wherever Possible
Mirrors in a gym are always preferred especially in the strength training zone where people can watch themselves while working out to maintain the right form. Also mirrors add on to the aesthetics of the gym, hence it’s a good idea to add mirrors in your office fitness facility which can also make your space look bigger.
Corporate Fitness and Wellness Services
Setting up a gym is not enough, you need also make your employees aware of the services that you would be providing along with it so that your staff knows the advantages of having a fitness facility in their office.
Gym Induction
Make sure to conduct an induction session or an introduction program to introduce you employees to the various kinds of equipment available at the gym, how they can be used and their benefits. Also if you have trainers on-board at the facility then it can be an added benefit for the employees who are not well-versed with exercising and need guidance.
Training Programs
Various training programs can be planned for your staff depending on the different fitness goals, timings, trainers etc. This can attract the employees and motivate them to stay fit by working out.
Health and Nutrition Guidance
We are all aware that diet, and nutrition go hand-in-hand with fitness. Hence having a dietitian or nutritionist in the fitness facility can be extremely helpful for the staff to gain proper guidance on their diet to meet their fitness goals.
Group Sessions
Zumba, aerobics, power yoga etc. can be added in the fitness activities that can be scheduled as per your office working hours. This can be an interesting way for employees to keep each other motivated and bond them together beyond office work-hours.
Conclusion
Corporate gyms need to cater to the needs of their users- the employees. Ease of access, user-friendly equipment are essential aspects. While setting up such a facility, make sure that your staff has easy access, can move swiftly through their training regimen, and finish their workout feeling refreshed and positive.
We hope this guide has been helpful in providing insight to different aspects of setting up a corporate gym. Go-ahead and start planning the most suitable gym for your employees!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a corporate gym?
Corporate gym is a fitness facility or a dedicated workout space for the employees of a corporate firm. This space is a part of the office building that is exclusive only for the company employees. People can workout using the different machines available in the gym along with their colleagues to take a quick break from their routine day at office.
What are the advantages of a corporate gym for the employees?
There are many advantages of having a gym in the office space for employees, such as:
- Research says that working out during office hours keeps them motivated and refreshed.
- Healthier workers means lesser sick leaves, which can result in more productivity at work.
- Employees can ensure their mental and physical well-being.
- Corporate gyms impart the feeling of being cared for by the employer, thus helping them to retain their jobs and avoid quitting.
What machines does a corporate gym have?
Usually, corporate companies take a survey to understand their employees’ requirements in terms of workout so that they can incorporate machines that are in high demand by them. Nonetheless, combo machines, multi-gyms are also seen in corporate gyms as they house multiple workout stations in a single unit, enabling multiple people to workout together using a single unit.
Why should we offer a corporate gym in the office space?
Employee health, and fitness impact the work and overall well being, including the productivity of work, and CEOs across the globe have been considering this fact. Hence incorporating wellness programs that can benefit business objectives on multiple levels should be taken into consideration.
Corporate gyms are beneficial for employees as well as for employers. It also helps in building the company’s brand value, as this shows that the employer cares for the employees health and well-being.
Is it necessary to have a trainer in a corporate gym?
This depends on the company and the request raised by the employees. If the employees need a trainer then they might request the HR collectively to appoint a trainer for guided workout sessions. On the other hand, in some cases, the company itself may provide a trainer along with the fitness facility, which can be an add-on benefit.
