The COVID-19 pandemic compelled businesses throughout the world to make their employees’ health and wellness one of their topmost priorities.
In today’s world, healthy workforces are essential for businesses and even the economy as whole – and corporate gyms and fitness centers help with that. A Treadmill Reviews study revealed that 77% employees would like to work out more if their workplaces provided them with a gym.
In this blog, Rizwan Ahmed CPA discusses some of the key benefits of having a workplace gym.
Benefits of a Workplace Gym:
Benefit 1 – Lower Absenteeism:
Creating a workplace gym means that your employees will stay fitter and more active during their working hours. This, in turn, will improve their overall health – and, the healthier they are, the less likely they are to fall sick and miss work.
Benefit 2 – Reduced Healthcare Costs:
Building up from the previous point, those who indulge in regular workouts are mentally and physically healthier than infrequent exercisers. It has been proven time and time again that just 15-20 minutes of moderate daily exercise can significantly lower the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. Hence, Rizwan Ahmed CPA says that, when you invest in onsite gyms and other fitness initiatives, you are reinforcing the importance of healthy living within your employees.
Benefit 3 – Increased Socialization:
A gym provides opportunities for colleagues to make bond, interact, and develop relationships outside of the immediate workplace. Also, ‘gym buddies’ are extremely important, as they make you feel supported, motivated, and accountable during your daily exercise regimes.
Benefit 4 – Greater Productivity:
According to a Harvard study, exercising is not only about the physical benefits. Although working out does help you fend off a host of physical health issues, it also helps your mental abilities in the following ways:
- Enhancing creativity
- Making you a quicker learner
- Improving concentration
- Sharpening your memory
Moreover, Rizwan Ahmed CPA says that employees who visit the gym during their working day enjoy greater productivity, time-management skills, and abilities to deal with stress.
Benefit 5 – Lower Stress Levels:
Speaking of stress reduction, we are all aware of how stress – especially unchecked, chronic stress – can wreak havoc on our minds and bodies. According to Rizwan Ahmed CPA, while some degree of stress is normal (and even healthy), persistent stress can force people into unhealthy habits like rumination, stress eating, and isolation.
Exercise lowers the levels of cortisol (the hormone that our body pumps when we are under stress) while simultaneously releasing endorphins and other mood-boosting neurotransmitters that help us calm down and feel happier and relaxed.
Final Word:
Installing a workplace gym and encouraging your employees to sweat it out is a win-win situation. What’s more, you need not invest in a sophisticated, state-of-the-art gym; just a small space with basic exercising machines and equipment is more than enough to get people going.