How Corporate Wellness Partnerships Accelerate the Growth of Fitness Businesses

The fitness and wellness industry is no stranger to pressure. From rising operating costs to unpredictable member churn, staying competitive can feel like a constant uphill climb. Many providers are asking the same question: how do we grow in a way that’s not just fast—but sustainable?

More and more, the answer points to a new growth engine: corporate wellness.

Wellness businesses across the globe are finding that partnerships with corporate wellness platforms are powerful levers. These collaborations help fill classes, drive consistent engagement, and fuel long-term business expansion.

To better understand this shift, Wellhub surveyed 600 gym, studio, and wellness app leaders in 10 countries. 

Wellhub’s Corporate Wellness Report for Gyms, Studios, and Wellness Apps: How to grow stronger with corporate partnerships is the first deep dive into this side of the partnership, capturing insights directly from the 600 wellness business leaders across 10 countries. What they reveal is a game-changer: corporate wellness is quickly becoming a core pillar of business strategy.

Key Finding 1: Corporate Partnerships Boost Retention and Revenue

What We Found: Wellness providers told us that corporate-sourced members don’t just sign up. They stay.

• 89% report higher retention rates among corporate members
   
• 73% say profitability has increased through partnerships
   
• 84% find them effective for acquiring new members

The Takeaway: Corporate partnerships are driving real, measurable outcomes—the kind that show up on balance sheets.

Key Finding 2: Corporate Members Are More Loyal and More Valuable

What We Found: What makes these members different? They’re higher intent, higher return, and often unreachable through traditional channels.

• 90% of corporate members are entirely new customers
   
• 75% return after their first visit
   
• Top retention drivers include high-quality support, exclusive perks, and strong community

The Takeaway: These members are building habits. That loyalty turns into stable revenue and better lifetime value.

Key Finding 3: Providers Are Overcoming Barriers Faster Than Expected

What We Found: Partnerships used to feel complicated. But that’s changing.

• 70% of providers say onboarding was easy
   
• Just 6% reported major challenges
   
• Top concerns—customization, visibility, and resources—are being addressed with platform support

The Takeaway: With the right tools and guidance, providers are getting up and running faster than ever.

Key Finding 4: The Most Successful Providers Don’t Just Sign Up—They Show Up

What We Found: Corporate wellness isn’t a plug-and-play solution. It works best when providers engage.

• 39% of providers have maintained partnerships for 3+ years
   
• Winning strategies include standout profiles, co-marketing campaigns, internal champions, and exclusive classes or challenges

The Takeaway: Ongoing participation turns corporate-sourced members into long-term advocates.

Key Finding 5: Providers Who Prioritize Partnerships Are Poised to Win

The global wellness economy has surpassed $6.3 trillion, and the corporate wellness market alone is projected to hit $106 billion by 2029. That growth isn’t slowing down.

And neither are the providers who’ve embraced this shift.

They’re expanding locations. Upgrading equipment. Scaling internationally. Not because of guesswork—but because they’ve built a reliable foundation through corporate partnerships.

The Bottom Line: Providers who treat corporate wellness as a growth engine—not a side channel—are the ones pulling ahead.

Corporate Wellness is a Smart Business Decision

This new data confirms what many fitness and wellness leaders have long suspected: corporate wellness is a strategic growth engine. From attracting new members and improving retention to strengthening financial performance, this model is delivering tangible value across every type of provider.

And the best part? It scales. The wellness businesses seeing success today aren’t standing still—they’re reinvesting in new locations, expanding internationally, and enhancing member experiences. They're using corporate wellness not just to grow, but to grow better.

The future of fitness is collaborative. Ready to join the movement? Connect with Wellhub’s Partnership Team so we can help your business grow.