Top Office Gyms: Elevate Your Workday with On-Site Fitness Facilities
gym design for Carnegie Mellon University Doha
Benefits of Office Gyms
Office gyms offer more than just a space for physical exercise and workplace wellness —they improve overall employee wellbeing, productivity and thereby job satisfaction.
By incorporating on-site fitness facilities, businesses can create a more engaged, healthier workforce while attracting and retaining top talent.
Below are the key advantages of integrating office gyms into your workspace, from our perspective as gym designers and workplace wellness consultants.
Improved Worker Health and Wellbeing: Regular exercise has proven benefits for both physical health and mental wellbeing. By incorporating fitness into the workday, even if only for 30-minutes, employees experience increased energy levels, improved focus, and reduced stress, all of which contribute to higher productivity and job satisfaction.
Convenience and Accessibility: On-site gyms offer a convenient way for employees to stay fit without taking extended amounts of time away from work or needing to find a separate fitness facility in the same area. Having a gym within the building thereby allows employees to work out before or after work or even during lunch breaks, fitting exercise seamlessly into their schedules.
Fostering Community and Teamwork: A well-designed office gym can bring employees together, encouraging a sense of community and collaboration. Group fitness classes, shared workout spaces, and team-building activities can enhance social connections, improving the overall office culture, just as run clubs and after-work drinks do.
Prioritising Health and Wellbeing: An office gym encourages employees to prioritise their physical health and wellbeing, not just devote themselves to long hours at work, or find excuses to avoid exercise due to time constraints. Making it to the gym 2-3 times per week can fundamentally change one's self-image and confidence levels while also improving healthspan.
Support for Work-Life Balance: A focus on health within the office environment helps employees maintain a healthy work-life balance. By providing access to on-site fitness facilities, companies demonstrate a commitment to employee wellbeing, which in turn leads to higher levels of employee retention and job satisfaction.
Creating an Effective Office Gym
Planning and Gym Design
When creating an effective office gym, it's important to carefully plan the space, its training zones and equipment layout. So first priority is to ensure the space is large enough to accommodate the required gym equipment and activities while allowing for easy movement. If not, there may be a need to re-think the concept to adapt to these limitations.
Wherever possible we want to prioritise natural light and ensure adequate ventilation to enhance both comfort and indoor air quality, which contributes to a positive and energising environment.
Integrated equipment storage areas help to maintain a tidy space with minimal health and safety issues, such as trip hazards. Consider how important this becomes in a fitness room that is unstaffed, without anyone passing by to place weights on racks at the end of the day, for example.
Essential Gym Equipment
When designing an office gym, it's vital to incorporate a variety of equipment that supports a range of exercises. A balanced selection of strength training, cardiovascular, and functional tools ensures that all fitness levels are catered for.
Include free weights, kettlebells, resistance bands, along with cardio equipment like treadmills, rowers, and bikes. Functional training gear, such as medicine balls and sleds, is essential for a full-body workout.
If budget constraints exist, consider leasing or financing gym equipment, or skipping the treadmills and strength machines for spin bikes, rowers and free weights, a far more cost effective approach.
Gym Facilities and Healthy Amenities
A well-equipped office gym goes beyond basic fitness equipment to include a range of facilities that support both physical and mental well-being. Rooftop yoga classes or outdoor workout spaces offer a refreshing change of environment, providing employees with an opportunity to de-stress while exercising.
Healthy snacks and meal options within the gym area ensure that employees can refuel properly post-workout, promoting better energy levels and overall health. To support mental well-being, treatment rooms or wellness services such as massage therapy or relaxation spaces can be included.
Moreover, a dedicated fitness studio with scheduled classes and workshops can help maintain employee engagement, motivation, and a sense of community. These amenities contribute to a holistic fitness experience that goes beyond just exercise, supporting employees’ well-being in a comprehensive way.
Maintenance and Operations
Maintaining a clean, safe, and efficient gym environment is essential for ensuring the well-being of employees and the longevity of equipment. Regular inspections of gym equipment should be conducted to identify and address any issues early, ensuring everything operates smoothly.
Employees should be trained on how to properly use and maintain equipment, encouraging them to report any problems promptly. Engaging professional servicing providers for regular equipment checks is also crucial to ensure all equipment remains in optimal condition.
To maintain hygiene, implement a cleaning schedule that includes daily or weekly cleaning tasks, alongside easily accessible cleaning stations for employees to use between workouts.
Keeping detailed maintenance records will help track any issues and ensure timely servicing. A well-maintained gym reflects the company’s commitment to employee health and safety, enhancing overall gym usage and satisfaction.
Measuring Success
To measure the success of your office gym, start by using employee surveys to gather feedback on how the gym has impacted their wellbeing and productivity. Tracking engagement levels, such as participation in gym activities and classes, will help assess overall involvement and interest.
Regular safety inspections are crucial to maintaining a safe workout environment, addressing potential hazards, and ensuring the gym remains a secure space for all users.
Additionally, implementing a cost-benefit analysis will allow you to evaluate the financial impact of the gym, helping to determine its return on investment. By combining these methods, you can ensure your office gym is delivering real value to employees while contributing to a healthier, more productive workplace.
Future-Proofing Your Office Gym
To future-proof your office gym, start by setting aside a dedicated budget for ongoing maintenance and necessary upgrades to keep the gym space functional and appealing.
Offering educational sessions and health challenges can help sustain employee interest, providing a sense of ongoing engagement and support. It’s also essential to allocate budget for long-term planning, ensuring the gym evolves with the company’s growth and employee needs.
Stay informed on the latest trends and innovations in gym equipment and design to ensure your facility remains cutting-edge and competitive. With these strategies in place, your office gym will continue to support employee wellbeing for years to come.
Finding the Perfect Office Space with a Gym
When selecting flexible office spaces with a gym, prioritise locations that are within walking distance to public transportation and other amenities. This ensures convenience for employees, encouraging regular use of the gym and fostering a healthy work-life balance.
Consider your employees’ needs and preferences, offering a space that accommodates various fitness levels and activities. A gym that provides diverse fitness options, from strength training to yoga, will cater to a wide range of interests and needs.
Additionally, incorporating team-building gym sessions or lunchtime workouts during lunch breaks can strengthen workplace relationships, enhance morale, and promote a sense of community among employees.
Conclusion
A well-designed office gym can significantly enhance employee wellbeing, productivity, and job satisfaction. By prioritising fitness and wellbeing within the workplace, businesses can foster a healthier and more motivated workforce. This, in turn, helps attract and retain top talent, ultimately improving overall performance.
When creating or selecting an office gym, consider the best practices outlined in this guide to ensure that the space meets both the physical and mental needs of employees, promotes a positive work culture, and supports long-term business success.