Organizational Wellness

Boost Employee Wellbeing & Productivity With Winning Corporate Exercise Programs

Last Updated Dec 9, 2024

Time to read: 15 minutes

Imagine a workplace where the office chatter isn’t about last night’s TV shows, but rather about everyone’s progress toward their fitness goals.

This isn't a pipe dream — it's just the tip of the iceberg of what’s possible with the right corporate exercise programs!

Of course, turning corporate gossip into fitness talk isn’t even the main goal of these programs. But they are about creating a culture of health that permeates every aspect of your workplace. From step challenges to lunch break yoga routines, corporate fitness challenge programs can transform the way your employees live and work.

But why should you care about your employees having access to these programs at the office? Well, get ready to learn about everything that a corporate fitness program can do for your team and organization.

Reduced sick days, increased productivity, boosted employee morale, and outstanding company culture are only just a few of the top benefits you can expect. Grab a bottle of water and some sweatbands, because you’re about to learn everything you need to know about about a corporate exercise program — including how to offer one to your staff.

What Is a Corporate Exercise Program?

A corporate exercise program is an initiative that empowers your team to stay active, healthy, and energized. These programs can offer everything from gym memberships and group workouts to fitness challenges and digital apps, designed to fit seamlessly into your employees' routines. The benefits go beyond just physical health — regular exercise reduces stress, boosts focus, and leads to a more engaged, productive workforce.

When you make fitness a priority, your company shows it cares about employee wellbeing. This can translate into fewer sick days, lower healthcare costs, and a team that’s happier and more motivated. It’s not just about working out — it’s about creating a culture of wellness that fuels your entire organization.

Benefits of Corporate Fitness Programs

It's easy to think exercise is outside of the scope of your industry. After all, why would a paper company in rural Pennsylvania suddenly start hosting company-wide yoga lessons?

Well, actually, there are plenty of reasons why it’s in the best interest of both employers and employees! Here are a few to get you rolling.

For Employers

It’s only natural to wonder why an employee’s workplace might want to provide these benefits. Can’t employees just sign up for a membership at their local gym? Well, there are plenty of great reasons why it’s a good idea for employers to make this investment.

Increased productivity and engagement: Working out supports your health — mental as well as physical. Physical exercise enhances emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing in workers, according to a 2024 study published in the Journal of Modern Medicine. That means your team will be firing on all cylinders, churning out brilliant ideas one after the other.
Reduced healthcare costs: Healthcare premiums can be scarier than checking your credit card bill after a weekend of retail therapy. Fortunately, employee wellness programs have been shown to decrease an average of $360 in healthcare costs per year per employee, according to research from the American College of Sports Medicine. That’s enough savings to buy a brand-new ergonomic office chair for every employee every year.
Improved employee morale and retention: Offering employee benefits like a corporate fitness program can keep your employees happy and fulfilled. Half of all workers are willing to walk away for better benefits, according to a 2024 Maven report, and you want to make sure they're walking your way. When employees feel that their company cares about their wellbeing, they’re more likely to stick around.
Enhanced company culture and employer branding: A strong workplace culture increases employee engagement and lowers employee stress and depression, according to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. By implementing a fitness program, you’re building stronger bodies and a stronger company culture.
Improved team dynamics: Corporate fitness programs can serve as a great equalizer, breaking down hierarchical barriers and fostering camaraderie among employees from different departments. When executives and entry-level employees are huffing and puffing side by side in a spin class, it creates a shared experience that can translate into better teamwork and communication in the office.
Reduced absenteeism: When employees are healthier, they're less likely to call in sick. Corporate fitness programs can help reduce the number of sick days taken, keeping your projects on track and your team productive. Plus, employees who feel energized and valued are more likely to show up ready to give their all, both physically and mentally.

For Employees

A corporate fitness program is truly a win-win since employees benefit from it too! Here’s how they can help your workforce employees live happier and healthier lives:

Improved physical health: This one’s a no-brainer. Regular exercise can help employees achieve their fitness goals, whether that’s running a marathon or improving flexibility.
Enhanced mental wellbeing: As shown in Wellhub's State of Work-Life Wellness 2025 report, 47% of employees say work stress is degrading their mental wellbeing. Luckily, you don’t need a chill pill to reduce that stress. Exercising as infrequently as just one day per week can positively impact your employees’ mental health and stress levels, according to a 2023 study. Be it yoga, a brisk walk, or weight lifting, any workout can have a positive impact on your emotional health.
Increased work-life wellness and job satisfaction: Exercise can improve your memory, help you think more clearly, and do all kinds of things more efficiently, according to a Harvard Medical School study. That means you’ll be able to get your work done sooner and come up with brilliant ideas before the workday is over. No more staying overtime to finish that report you’ve been procrastinating on for days!
Better social connections: Corporate fitness programs can be great team-building opportunities. Nothing brings coworkers together quite like collectively gasping for air after an intense HIIT session or cheering each other on during a company-wide step challenge.
Cost savings: With subsidized gym memberships, employees can save a ton of their personal money on their fitness expenses. Getting a small raise and access to better health? Score!
Improved energy and productivity: Regular exercise can boost energy levels and combat that dreaded afternoon slump. Say goodbye to your third cup of coffee and hello to a natural, endorphin-fueled productivity boost.

Types of Corporate Fitness Programs

There are tons of corporate fitness programs available today — enough to guarantee that there will be something interesting for every single one of your employees. Whether you’ve got a team of athletic overachievers or office dwellers who are just starting to dip their toes into athleticism, there are fitness programs suitable for every level.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular workplace exercise programs.

Subsidized Gym Memberships

Partnering with local gyms for discounted memberships is a great way to get your team pumped about pumping iron. Here’s how you can make it happen:

Scout local gyms: Look for facilities that offer many different types of equipments and classes to cater to different preferences. Some people need all kinds of machines and weights, while others are content with a spinning class and some light weightlifting.
Negotiate group rates: Use your company’s size as leverage to get sweet, sweet deals. While health is the most important thing here, you’re still keeping tabs on your company’s bottom line. The better rate you secure, the better your ROI.
Offer multiple options: Partner with a range of gyms to give employees choices. From boutique yoga studios to big-box fitness centers, variety can really spice up your exercise.
Implement a reimbursement program: Consider covering a percentage of membership fees based on usage. Hit the gym an average of five times a week for a whole month? Great, then they get 100% back! Less than once a week, and they might only get 25% back.

Partnering with Wellhub can help streamline this process, as we've already partnered with over 15,000 wellness operators across the country. Wherever you are, we probably already have multiple attractive gym options that you — and your employees — will love!

Wellness Challenges and Competitions

Nothing gets people all fired up like a little friendly competition. Wellness challenges are the corporate equivalent of your high school field day, but for adults. Here are some ideas to get your team's competitive juices flowing:

Step count competition: Organize a company-wide step challenge using fitness trackers. Watch as Maria from accounting suddenly starts taking the long way to the water cooler.
Fitness class bingo: Create a bingo card filled with different workout classes. First team to blackout wins – and probably has the most diverse set of muscle aches.
Weight loss challengewith a twist: Instead of focusing solely on weight loss, create a points system that rewards various healthy behaviors. The goal is to create lifelong healthy habits, not to lose a few pounds that may come back in a few weeks.
Department vs. department battle: Nothing brings a team together quite like trying to crush another department in a plank-off. Think of fun fitness competitions where you can pit accounting against marketing, sales against IT. For example, you could organize a plank-off where departments compete to see who can hold a plank the longest.

Health Education Apps

You already know that there’s an app for everything, so why would corporate fitness be any different? Fitness apps are like having a personal trainer in your pocket, minus the awkward small talk between sets. Here are a few apps for corporate fitness programs that can help you apply yourself:

Strava: This is one of the most popular apps for cyclists and runners. Strava lets you create company clubs so you can watch as your team's competitive spirit leads to lunchtime jogs and bike commutes.
MyFitnessPal: This app helps employees track their nutrition and exercise in one place. Just be prepared for heated debates about whether that donut in the break room is really worth 250 calories.
Headspace: Don’t forget that mental fitness is just as important as physical. Encourage mindfulness and stress reduction with guided meditations. Warning: may result in eerily calm meetings.
Wellhub: Our wellness app can be the companion you need — it brings together the best of fitness tracking, nutrition guidance, meditation, and more. With access to thousands of workout classes, mental health resources, and wellness tools, you'll never run out of something fun, healthy, and educational to do.

How to Implement a Successful Corporate Fitness Program (Step-by-Step)

Ready to transform your office into a place of health and wellness? Let’s walk through the steps to launch a corporate fitness program that’ll get your employees in top shape — both physical and mental.

How to Implement a Corporate Exercise Program Step by Step

Step 1: Set Your Goals

The first thing you want to do is get SMART about it. And no, this isn’t about your IQ levels — it’s about setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. This acronym can help you remember everything you need to meet your goals, as simply saying “getting fitter” doesn’t qualify as a SMART goal. This is incredibly important, as fewer than one-quarter of goals include information on how goal achievement would be measured, according to a study in the International Journal for Quality in Health Care.

For example, if you want to increase employee participation in fitness programs, here’s what a SMART goal could look like:

Specific: Increase employee participation in the company’s fitness program.
Measurable: Raise participation rates from 30% to 50%.
Achievable: You’re shooting for a significant increase, but you’re also not going wild. A jump from 30% to 100% in six months likely wouldn’t be realistic, but a 20% increase might be reasonably ambitious.
Relevant: Increased participation has plenty of benefits for the workplace.
Timed: Track participation monthly, with a target to achieve the 50% goal in six months.

Step 2: Budget Planning

Time to crunch some numbers. Think about costs like equipment, software, instructors, and incentives. Don’t forget to also factor in potential savings from reduced healthcare costs and increased engagement. This isn’t an expense — it’s an investment in your people’s lives and your company’s bottom line.

Step 3: Secure Leadership Buy-In and Budget

Now, it’s time to win the support of the big decision makers. Get ready to give a pitch that will have your executives at the front of your corporate fitness program’s first yoga class. Highlight the ROI, showcase success stories from other companies, and emphasize how this program aligns with your organization’s values and goals.

Step 4: Select a Flexible and Holistic Fitness Program Provider

Here’s where the magic happens. You want to look for a provider that can offer a wide variety of fitness programs catering to everybody. Some people like high-intensity workouts, while others prefer more low-intensity activities like yoga or brisk walks.

The more options you offer, the more likely it is that your corporate fitness program will be a success. Your provider should offer:

Online and in-person fitness classes
Personal training options
Mental wellness resources
Nutrition guidance
Sleep improvement tools

Step 5: Launch the Program

The big day is finally here: Launch day! Plan a launch event that will bring all the employees to the yard, or wherever you choose to host your launch event. The point is to introduce everyone to these new initiatives so they know what’s available and how to take advantage of it. The easiest way for these programs to fail is to not tell employees about them.

Step 6: Continued Communication and Promotion

The last thing you want is for workers to not show up to events simply because they didn’t know about them. Keep everyone in the loop with:

Regular email updates
Fitness tips in company newsletters
Success story spotlights
Posters around the office

Step 7: Add Incentive Programs

Who doesn’t love a good prize for doing something good? Everyone logically gets that working out and eating healthy is good for you. Still, it’s sometimes hard to muster up the strength to get that workout in after a long day at the office. Here are some ways you can help:

Give out points for attending events or completing activities that employees can redeem for cool office perks or merch.
Offer extra PTO for hitting certain health goals.
Start some friendly interdepartmental competitions.
Recognize high-achievers in public.

Step 8: Program Evaluation

It’s important to be honest with yourself when evaluating your program. Although you may have spent a long time creating a corporate fitness program, you won’t get much benefit out of it if it’s not working. There’s nothing wrong with course-correcting and adjusting your strategy based on reception.

Track metrics like:

Participation rates
Health outcomes
Employee satisfaction rates
Absenteeism rates

Step 9: Celebrate Achievements and Continuously Improve

Last but not least, don’t forget to celebrate the victories. Did John from accounting run his first 10K? Celebrate him at lunch! Did the marketing team collectively lose 50 pounds? Give them a shout-out on the company’s intranet! Celebrating the wins publicly can motivate other employees to put their pedals to the metal.

Overcoming Challenges to Increase Employee Engagement

Let’s face it, getting anyone — let alone your entire workforce — to embrace a fitness program is extremely difficult. But don’t worry! With the right strategies, you can turn even the most dedicated couch potatoes into wellness warriors.

Addressing Common Barriers

Everyone’s got an excuse for why they missed the gym this morning. Don’t let them slide. Here’s how to handle the most common barriers to fitness:

Lack of time: Offer shorter, high-intensity workouts or break sessions throughout the day. Even 10-minute "deskercise" routines can make a difference. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are six-pack abs.
Low motivation: Use gamification and rewards to make fitness fun. Points, badges, and leaderboards can turn working out into a game that even your least competitive employees can't resist.
Accessibility issues: Provide a mix of on-site and virtual options. From lunchtime yoga in the conference room to streaming fitness classes, make it easy for everyone to join in. No matter where they are.
Lack of information: Create beginner-friendly programs and offer personal consultations. Getting started is often the hardest part. Giving your employees some extra support as they’re just getting started can be the way forward.

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Promoting Inclusivity

Your fitness program should be inclusive of your team’s demographics. For example, your older employees may not have the stamina to keep up with your younger employees. Here’s what you can do to help everyone feel welcome:

Offer modifications: Every exercise should have options for different fitness levels and abilities. The goal is progress, not perfection.
Diverse class offerings: From chair yoga to high-intensity interval training, provide a range of activities to suit different preferences and abilities.
Cultural sensitivity: Be mindful of cultural differences in attitudes towards fitness and body image. What's motivating for one person might be off-putting for another.
Language matters: Use inclusive language in all your communications. Instead of "beach body ready," try "feeling energized and confident."

Building a Culture of Wellness

Cultivating a company culture of wellness takes time, patience, and perseverance. Just like you can’t grow a plant overnight (or six packs), you have to give it time so it changes your team’s relationship with health and wellness. Try the following strategies to cultivate a thriving wellness culture:

Lead by example: Get your leadership team on board. When employees see the CEO participating in the step challenge, it sends a powerful message.
Integrate wellness into daily operations: Start meetings with a quick stretch, offer healthy options in the cafeteria, and consider walking meetings for small groups.
Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and reward progress, no matter how small. Did someone take the stairs instead of the elevator? That's worthy of a shout-out!
Create wellness champions: Designate enthusiastic employees as wellness ambassadors to help promote and support the program.

Elevate Your Workforce With Wellhub's Corporate Fitness Solutions

Launching a successful corporate fitness program might seem as daunting as doing 100 burpees back-to-back. But don't break a sweat just yet! You now know many types of corporate exercise programs, strategies to boost engagement, and the numerous benefits for both employers and employees.

A well-designed corporate fitness program isn't just about building muscles — it's about building a healthier, happier, and more productive workforce. From reducing healthcare costs to increasing employee satisfaction and productivity, the benefits of a comprehensive wellbeing program extend far beyond the gym walls.

Ready to transform your workplace into a hub of health and vitality? Speak with a Wellhub Wellbeing Specialist today and discover how our tailored fitness solutions can help your company flex its wellness muscles!

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[*] Based on proprietary research comparing healthcare costs of active Wellhub users to non-users.