There has never been a more critical time for employers to prioritise the health and wellbeing of their employees. With the pandemic still very much prevalent in society 2 years on, it’s important that business owners look at new ways to help their workers stay in tip-top shape, both physically and mentally.

One of the most effective ways to maintain a healthy workforce is by incorporating an office gym that employees can use during work hours. Now, you might be thinking that this will negatively impact productivity, but will actually have the opposite effect.

Here are 8 reasons why you should build an office gym for your employees to exercise at work.

Benefits of having an office gym

1. Reduces absenteeism

Regular exercise improves one’s health – and the better one’s health, the less susceptible one is to illnesses. In other words, the healthier an employee is, the fewer sick days they’ll take. And decreased absenteeism as a result of a healthy workforce means lower turnover rates and more days of productivity, leading to a better bottom line.

2. Reduces workplace stress

Most, if not all, businesses are high-pressure environments, and with that, comes a lot of stress. You then have the added fatigue on the neck, back, wrists and arms, as well as eyestrain, from spending the majority of the day in front of a screen – which can make for a very unhappy employee.

A stressed workforce is not good for business or attracting and retaining employees. Having a corporate gym on hand can help avoid this use as exercising is an effective way to relieve stress and fatigue. Not to mention the other benefits that will keep your workforce smiling, such as weight loss and lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

3. Improves job satisfaction 

The most satisfied workers are the most productive. By keeping your employees healthy and providing ways to reduce their stress, they may adopt a greater appreciation for their work.

Furthermore, by offering a perk not usually offered by corporate offices, this is also a source of satisfaction as it shows that you care about your employees’ wellbeing. And when an employee continues to find satisfaction in their job, turnover decreases and retention improves. Not to mention that an office gym is a great selling point when recruiting top talent.

4. Boosts employee productivity

The great thing about regular exercise is that it doesn’t only have physical benefits. Working out at the gym also releases norepinephrine hormones, which results in reduced stress levels, enhanced mood and better brain function. So, besides lowering blood pressure and keeping hearts healthy, an office gym also offers enhanced creativity, quicker learning, sharper memory and improved concentration. And when back behind their desks, workers will put this feeling to good use by being more happy, productive and energetic throughout the day.

Furthermore, research also suggests that employees who are allowed to use the office gym during working hours are more productive, managed their time better and felt more work satisfaction.

5. Improves employees' sleep cycles 

One of the most important aspects of being healthy is getting an adequate amount of deep sleep. Well-rested people are more likely to lead healthy, happy, productive lives, while a good night’s sleep is known to help fend off stress, sickness and disease.

Unfortunately, sleep is something that many people struggle with. And if your employees are suffering from bad sleeping habits, it will harm their health and ability to work efficiently. The good news is that there’s a vital relationship between exercise and sleep. Exercising regularly helps in stabilising sleeping patterns, which will result in better employee health.

6. Helps with team building

A good way to naturally get your employees socialising with one another is to have them mingle in the office gym before, during or after work. Exercising together will bring out a sense of camaraderie, which can help employees connect better, as well form bonds and friendships outside of a work setting. as

This team-building will then help foster healthy personal and professional relationships, where employees are more likely to collaborate in the office.

7. Improves your employer brand

Any benefit that employers hands out always has a positive impact on employees. And it’s rare to find a company that offers an office gym as one of its perks. So, it’s not difficult to see why having a corporate fitness centre will improve your employer brand.

Offering this unique perk can attract new talent, as well as retain them and existing employees. And while an in-office gym might not be the sole reason a candidate accepts a job offer, it can definitely enhance the deal and might even be the factor that sways them.

8. Helps with work-life balance

Working a full-time job makes it difficult for the average individual to strike a healthy between their professional and personal lives. With an office gym, however, your employees have the convenience of comfortably fitting in a workout before, during or after work without having to travel to a second location. This saves them both time and money and ultimately helps improve their work-life balance.

How can Contractors.Direct help?

As you can see, there are many benefits for business owners who decide to incorporate a fitness centre in their workplace. If you’re planning to build an office gym, then you’ll need the help of a professional interior designer and fit out contractor who possesses the necessary skills and experience to deliver high-quality work.

Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place.

Contractors.Direct offers a curated database of thoroughly vetted, quality contractors, interior designers and interior architects who can bring your vision to life, on time and on budget. Get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to connect you with the right people for the job.