Why you should offer your employees an onsite gym

any business owners are now offering their employees an onsite gym while there are other business owners who deem it an expense that is unnecessary and frivolous. However, there are many different reasons that business owners are providing this benefit to their employees. Where an onsite gym was once only thought to be something that large multi national corporations could afford today, even smaller businesses are offering this to their employees. The reasons for doing so are varied but the results are positive and may just surprise you. Here is why you should offer your employees an onsite gym-

- It doesn't cost as much as you think-The bottom line for any business owner is how much anything will cost. Many business owners quickly dismiss the idea of putting in an onsite gym because of the cost involved. However, studies show that the equipment needed for a gym is more affordable today then it ever has been. In addition, many business owners are finding that they don't have to do much space reconfiguration to put a gym onto their site since most businesses have physical space that is not being used or is being underused.
- Your employees will use it-Many business owners feel that if they put in an onsite gym their employees won't use it thereby negating the expense involved. However, studies show that when a employee health and wellness program is correctly introduced to a workforce most employees respond positively and get involved. In addition, many business owners have gone the extra step of requiring scanned ID cards that let them know who is using the gym. After reviewing usage they then reward employees who are going to the onsite gym on a regular basis.
- Your insurance premiums will go down-One of the best cost saving methods on insurance premiums is to put in an onsite gym. Insurance companies are rewarding businesses that are putting in gyms by lowering their premiums. You can often find savings in all of your insurance premiums from health to liability. Often times these savings in insurance premiums are enough to justify the cost of putting in a gym.
- Your employees will work for you longer-One of the largest costs for any business is the recruiting, hiring, and training of their employees. This cost should be avoided as much as possible. When you are having a constant turnover of employees that is placing a large cost on your business. Studies show that many employees will continue to work at their jobs when they have access to an onsite job. This means that those people who you want to keep working for you will simply because your providing a benefit they may be seeking somewhere else. Employee retention is a valid reason to put in a onsite gym.
- Your employees will use less sick days and less health insurance-There is no denying the fact that fit employees are healthier employees. Business owners are constantly looking for ways to reduce the cost of sick days and health insurance. Having an onsite gym can help you do just that. Studies have conclusively shown that companies that provide an onsite gym have healthier employees who cost the company less in sick time and use less health insurance. This can be a significant cost savings for some businesses.
- You can use it as a recruiting tool-In some job markets it can be the little things that often allow you to attract the top job candidates. It has been shown that access to an onsite gym can often be enough for a job applicant to take a job offer. You can use your onsite gym to let both your existing employees and your future ones know that you care about their health and wellbeing.