How to set up a corporate gym in 10 easy steps

3d can work with you through every phase of this process, providing you with our expertise and experience over 30 years of corporate gym management.

Assess the needs and interests of the employees for a gym:
Conduct a quick and easy survey to identify healthy living habits amongst your team. This can then be supported by a physical test on a sample group to measure some basic fitness indicators. Employee involvement is important in the planning process, and a committee should be created that will aim to ensure the needs and interests of all the employees are considered and that the programme is responsive to the needs of potential participants. Buy in from senior managers will be essential. Get their support and identify a champion early.

Develop a mission statement and objectives:
Create a mission statement and a clear set of objectives that are specific and measurable. What do you want your corporate fitness programme to achieve?

Create a timetable and budget:
Timetables should be set for club development, and an opening budget allocated for the setup of the gym (build and equipment) and the wellness programme should be fully costed on a per employee basis.

Space plan and facility design:
The space allocated needs to be reviewed, and a design plan created that can both deliver the operational objectives and work operationally.

Equipment specifications:
Fitness equipment and other fixtures and fittings need to be specified and costed.

Consider management options:
We recommend that you recruit a management company to deliver a comprehensive management solution and who can become a true health care partner.

Set up incentive schemes:
Incentive schemes can build motivation by offering individuals rewards for getting started and adhering to a healthy living programme. These could include merchandise awards or even additional time off. Can discounted health insurance premiums be negotiated for regular gym attendance?

Promote the facility:
The programme should be given a brand and theme that supports the company’s values and helps give the initiative an identity. Posters, leaflets, and direct mail will form the core of the communication plan along with outreach activity in common areas.
An intranet site should be developed to include information about the company’s health care strategy. The best marketing will of course be word of mouth referral from fellow employees!

Implement the programme:
The club should be much more than just a gym and whilst being the focus for the company’s wellness strategy it can also be a place where employees can socialise and develop team spirit with other sporting events and activity.

Evaluate:
The programme should be assessed periodically to assess its efficiency and effectiveness in delivering the goals that were established. Both the process and outcomes should be measured, and costs considered giving a return on investment.