4 Reasons Why Your Employees Need Gym Memberships

Keeping fit and healthy is important for everyone; but for businesses, helping staff to stay on top of their fitness regime can have some added benefits beyond an office full of fitness fanatics.

Access to a free gym membership can be one of those employee perks that really delivers in terms of payback for those who offer these benefits, and if you don't believe us, here are four reasons why this is the case:

1. Regular exercise reduces stress

Physical exercise can be a powerful way for employees to reduce stress, as it enables them to burn off their frustrations and to channel their energies into positive benefits to their health.

Indeed, exercise is recommended by many healthcare professionals as a way to increase a person's ability to cope with stressful situations. As a result, businesses that offer free gym services to their staff could be investing in their own corporate resilience.

2. Fit and healthy people are more productive

Exercise can be a great way to boost your natural health and wellbeing. Indeed, research shows that people who exercise regularly may not only be less likely to become ill and need time off, but they're actually more productive in general.

According to ORC International's 2017 global perspectives survey of 8,800 employees, workers who take part in regular physical exercise show higher levels of engagement with their role, as well as demonstrating increased levels of energy and being more creative.

3. Employee benefits help boost morale

Offering a positive perk like a free gym membership can be a great way to say 'thank you' to staff for all their hard work. At the same time, it shows employees that the company is committed to supporting their lasting wellbeing.

Research from Deloitte revealed last year that reimbursing staff for any expenses around personal wellbeing is the joint-third most sought after benefit in terms of its overall impact on employee morale. It was beaten only by flexible work scheduling and the ability to work from home.

4. It's not just money that attracts the best talent

Offering a range of benefits to employees beyond a good salary can be a major attractor for the best and brightest in your industry. Gym membership can therefore be one of a raft of perks offered by a business to attract and retain the best talent.

Indeed, with 86% of those polled in a survey for Jobsite stating benefits packages play a key role in helping to decide whether to work for a business or not, arranging a perk like a free gym membership should be viewed as an investment in staff wellbeing and happiness.

As you can see, while there will be some cost involved in offering gym memberships to staff, the benefits can far outweigh this expenditure in terms of increased productivity, company resource and morale, meaning it really can be money well spent.