Is a corporate fitness center right for your workforce?

You’ve noticed it. Employee engagement feels stuck in neutral. Turnover is creeping up. Your wellness program participation numbers? Let’s just say… they’re not what you hoped.

These pain points often spark the same question for HR and Benefits leaders: Would an on-site corporate fitness center make a difference?

It’s not an easy yes or no, especially if you’re still at the “just exploring” stage. The decision requires balancing employee needs, space and budget realities, and the results you want to achieve. But knowing the right questions to ask now will save time, build a better case, and make sure your eventual answer is the right one for your organization.

Here are five questions to guide your thinking.

1. What does our workforce really need and want?

Wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some organizations, employees crave a place to relieve stress between meetings. In others, injury prevention and physical readiness are top priorities.

• Use surveys, focus groups, or pulse polls to find out what your employees value.
• Look at current benefit usage to see which programs get traction.
• Factor in your workforce demographics, job demands, and work arrangements (on-site, hybrid, remote). Do they need stress relief, injury prevention, or more movement in their day?

Pain point addressed: Avoids investing in something that looks impressive but goes unused.

2. How could this support our bigger business goals?

An on-site fitness center isn’t just about providing a perk—it’s about driving results. Consider whether a center could:

• Improve retention by signaling investment in employees’ wellbeing.
• Reduce absenteeism and boost job satisfaction
• Build culture by giving employees a shared, positive space for community and connection

Pain point addressed: Struggling to link the investment to your company’s organizational objectives. This will help make the business case later on.

3. Do we have the space and resources to do it well?

Corporate fitness centers can range from 3,500 square feet to 10,000+ square feet. Your available square footage, budget, and location will shape what’s possible.

• Is there unused space that could be repurposed?
• Do you have budget for equipment, staffing, and upkeep?
• How might your layout impact accessibility for all employees?

Pain point addressed: Avoids launching a program that feels incomplete or inconvenient to use. Evaluate what’s realistically possible within your building’s footprint.

4. How will we address safety and compliance?

Even if this is just an idea right now, early thinking about risk management matters.

• Who will maintain and inspect the equipment?
• Will staff be trained to guide users and prevent injuries?

Pain point addressed: Minimizes risk of safety issues derailing the program. A partner experienced in corporate fitness can help you navigate these concerns.

5. How will we know if it’s working?

If you decide to move forward, you’ll need clear measures of success. Possible metrics include:

• Participation and usage rates.
• Employee engagement and satisfaction surveys.

Pain point addressed: Ensures you can prove the value and sustain leadership buy-in.

Is your company ready? 

The question isn’t just “Should we have an on-site corporate fitness center?” The question is, “Would it solve the problems we’re actually trying to fix?” If your organization is facing flat engagement and wellness programs that fail to inspire your employees, an on-site fitness center could be part of the answer. But only if it’s designed with your unique workforce in mind, supported by resources, and tied directly to your business goals.

Asking these five questions now will help you make a confident, informed decision. If you decide to move forward, you’ll already have a strong foundation for building a program that drives both employee wellbeing and organizational success.

Connect with us and learn more about the benefits of offering a corporate fitness center to your employees.