Fitness and health focused on women

With more than 1 million participants across 180+ clients and 400 sites, HealthFitness sits at the center of how workplace fitness, wellness and injury prevention are evolving in real time. From this vantage point, we’re seeing seven key developments emerge that are reshaping how organizations approach employee wellbeing.

Across all of them, one truth stands out: employees are not a single population. They are made up of distinct personas — from Athletes and Everyday Exercisers to Health Seekers, Social Movers, Hesitant Beginners and Skilled Laborers — each with unique motivations and expectations.
Another key development emerging across our 400 sites is the increasing focus on women’s health.

A life-stage aware shift in wellbeing

Companies are placing increased focus on women navigating perimenopause and menopause. What was once considered a private topic is now becoming part of workplace wellness strategy — and employees are responding positively. 

Employees are learning more, asking more questions and expecting their employers to evolve alongside the science. They want programming that reflects their lived experience.

What this looks like in practice

Many of our sites are offering small group programs designed specifically for women approaching or experiencing menopause. These sessions prioritize progressive resistance training to support bone density, muscle preservation, metabolic health and injury prevention. HealthFitness staff incorporate compound lifts, functional strength movements and intentional recovery strategies informed by hormonal changes.

These often include guided stretching, joint stability work, breathwork and nervous system regulation — supporting sleep, stress management and overall recovery. Educational workshops play a critical role in these programs. Topics include:

• What’s changing hormonally — and why
• Why strength training becomes essential after 40
• Nutrition strategies for muscle preservation and metabolic health
• The connection between sleep, stress and hormone balance
• Digital coaching and confidential support

Not every employee wants to discuss menopause in a group setting. That’s why confidential, flexible support options are gaining traction. HealthFitness’ “A Time of Change — Navigating Menopause” digital coaching program provides self-paced, interactive modules alongside secure access to a health coach.

Participants learn what’s happening in their bodies, receive stage-specific movement and nutrition guidance and gain strategies to support emotional wellbeing and sleep. They can message their coach at any time and schedule phone sessions to set goals and discuss challenges and progress.

This format resonates particularly with Health Seekers, who want clear direction and Hesitant Beginners, who may prefer privacy as they build confidence. It also supports high-performing Athletes who want data-informed adjustments to training as hormone levels shift.

How organizations are supporting the trend

Companies leading in this space are doing more than adding a class to the schedule. They are:

• Training staff on hormone-informed programming
• Communicating openly about life-stage health
• Creating psychologically safe environments for discussion
• Integrating strength, recovery and education into cohesive offerings
• Providing both small-group and confidential coaching pathways

They also position these programs as performance-enhancing and longevity-focused — not remedial. The message is clear: strength, resilience and capability matter at every stage of life.

Why this matters

Inclusive, life-stage-aware programming strengthens engagement among a significant portion of the workforce. It signals that an organization understands real physiological transitions and is proactive in providing meaningful support.

For HR and benefits leaders, this is about more than fitness trends. Midlife women often hold senior roles, institutional knowledge and leadership influence. Supporting their health supports retention, productivity and culture.

The organizations gaining traction aren’t asking, “Should we address menopause?” They’re asking, “How do we ensure women feel seen, strong, capable and supported at every life stage?” That intentional design is what turns awareness into workforce impact.

Learn more

Woman’s health represents one of seven major developments shaping the future of workplace fitness and wellness across our 400 sites and 1M+ participants.

For the full view — and how these trends intersect across employee personas — download our report: The State of Corporate Fitness and Wellness.

Download the full report.