Newer and more advanced technology such as fitness wearables, artificial intelligence software and robotics is reducing employee well-being, according to a new briefing paper from the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW).

The preliminary research may be a wake-up call to the countless businesses that have embraced artificial intelligence and automation technology to reduce labor costs and advance their bottom line; it could also have ramifications for the makers of fitness wearables like watches, rings and bands.

Using data from an online survey of over 6,000 workers in the United Kingdom, IFOW discovered that while digital information and communication technologies correlated with improved quality of life, extensive exposure to newer technologies can be detrimental to well-being.

One key survey finding is that frequent engagement with AI software, robotics and wearables (defined as fitness trackers, smartwatches, smart glasses, GPS devices and other data-gathering sensors) “exhibited a negative relationship with quality of life,” with even moderate exposure to robotics revealing an adverse effect on quality of life.

Start of the Conversation

IFOW’s findings highlight an important area that has yet to be fully explored in the current tech-forward age, but ultimately the paper encourages employers to understand the need to roll out technology that actively engages workers and to conduct “rigorous monitoring of risks and impacts.”

“The findings of this working paper – coupled with the current rapid pace of adoption of workplace automation technologies – emphasize that this work should be a priority if this technological transformation is to deliver a future where innovation and well-being advance together,” the authors wrote.

As the paper’s authors also point out, all hope is not lost in an overly connected world that will continue to lean toward tech. Instead, the findings “underscore the importance of a proactive, human-centered approach to technology deployment, emphasizing the value of worker consultation and participation rights, clarification of purposes and balanced consideration of technological benefits and risks.”

The authors also state that the need for additional research is evident, especially when understanding the different impacts of technology by sector and its overall impact on the intersection of well-being with productivity and worker retention. 

A Case for Corporate Wellness Platforms

In addition to prompting the start of a meaningful conversation, the survey’s findings are interesting, especially when juxtaposed against the rise of corporate wellness programs. 

Not everyone is sold on such employer-focused programs, as one Oxford researcher recently illustrated in a controversial take, but IFOW’s initial results on the topic are likely good news for platforms that are encouraging employers to invest in well-being programs for their staff. 

Corporate wellness giant Gympass has soared to a $2.4 billion valuation and continues to add to its robust line-up of wellness offerings, recently expanding its sleep category this month with snooze-supporting apps Rise Science and SleepScore. According to Gympass research, 98% of employees worldwide report sleep is crucial for their well-being, and 60% say work stress negatively impacts their sleep.

Global healthy eating platform Lifesum, tapped to support staff employed by tech titans Amazon and PayPal, recently revealed an eye-opening statistic: that nearly 71% of stressed-out Gen Z and Millennials would quit their jobs tomorrow in favor of one that better supports their overall well-being and that almost 70% would be more productive if their employer improved their well-being. 

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With a vast network of 50,000-plus gyms, studios, classes, personal trainers, and wellness coaches, Gympass isn’t neglecting the importance of sleep. The leading corporate wellness provider is emphasizing the sleep-health connection, expanding its sleep category with new sleep monitoring apps, Rise Science and SleepScore.

The move comes in conjunction with World Sleep Day on March 15, with Gympass subscribers on the Starter Plan and above able to access the new sleep-supporting apps. 

Sleep Emerges as Key Wellness Trend

In a society that rewards hustle culture, obtaining adequate sleep has become a rare luxury. The CDC points out that a third of U.S. adults get less than the recommended amount of sleep. The impact of poor sleep hygiene can have devastating effects beyond circles under the eyes, with lack of sleep linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity and even depression.

As Gympass research has found, 98% of employees worldwide say sleep is crucial for their well-being, and 60% say work stress negatively impacts their sleep. Gympass has been steadily focused on all aspects of wellness, partnering with Headspace, Sleep Cycle, Meditopia and Calm. 

Rise Science, a sleep and energy tracker created by a team of sleep experts, informs Gympass users of the ideal time to carry out their tasks based on their circadian rhythms — when to exercise, have their last cup of coffee or get ready for bed. Based on sleep science, the approach is meant to make users feel well-rested.

SleepScore leverages cognitive behavioral science and sleep and circadian hygiene to analyze user data, resulting in a personalized sleep improvement program based on lifestyle and needs. The program is supported by two independent studies and uses a smartphone’s microphone and speaker capabilities to track and measure breathing rate and body movement.

Next month, Gympass users can use SleepScore to track their sleep improvement over time with a graphical representation.

“Sleep is essential for holistic wellbeing,” said Gympass co-founder and CEO Cesar Carvalho. “By providing employees with the tools they need to improve their sleep, Gympass is helping companies invest in their most valuable asset: their people.”

Corporate Wellness Booms

As employee wellness continues to become a hot topic and an increasingly non-negotiable offering from modern employers looking to attract and retain top talent, Gympass is soaring. The corporate wellness platform hit a $2.4 billion valuation after an $85 million funding round and signed on with Apple Fitness+.

Gympass topped 2.6 million subscribers in January, with over 400 million cumulative employee check-ins across its partner network. The corporate wellness platform has attracted top companies such as Amazon and Aflac for its ability to encourage employees to become active and engaged, resulting in reduced healthcare costs and absenteeism rates. 

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Employers who are investing in corporate wellness programs could use their resources in a more productive and meaningful way, according to new research based on a University of Oxford study.

The study, authored by William J. Fleming, a researcher on work and well-being, illustrates that while mental well-being initiatives are widely recommended for British workers, disagreement is brewing over concerns that “individual-level interventions” don’t engage with working conditions.

Although supportive wellness programs have become a buzzy, feel-good ad campaign for employers to showcase across social media, individual-led wellness programs can’t fundamentally address or, better yet, fix an unhealthy and stressful working environment, the study suggests.

Using a survey of 46,000-plus workers in over 230 organizations, Fleming reviewed the outcomes of participants with access to resilience training, mindfulness and well-being apps and those without, finding that participants appeared “no better off” than non-participants. 

“Overall, results suggest interventions are not providing additional or appropriate resources in response to job demands,” found Fleming.

What the Study Could Mean

Despite the grim findings, employee volunteering opportunities pose a glimmer of hope — although Fleming acknowledges the estimated effects are minimal.

He also notes that future research should pinpoint if individual-led interventions are effective alongside organizational change or whether improving working conditions would be a better alternative. 

“A combination of approaches could benefit workers by, if implemented well, enhancing job resources whilst also mitigating job demands,” he wrote.

Ultimately, Fleming says it seems “premature” to recommend widespread individual-led interventions to all workers and that organizational-led interventions (changes to scheduling, management practices, staff resources, performance review) appear “more beneficial” for improving well-being. 

In a post on LinkedIn, Fleming summed up the breadth of his research quite succinctly: “We’ve got to focus on improving work, not addressing well-being individually and in isolation.”

It should be noted that Fleming didn’t discredit the effectiveness of health and well-being apps and programs — but they can’t course-correct the challenges that many employees face within their organization, he said. A nutrition and sleep-tracking app may have benefits but can’t solve the stress of working long hours or counteract issues stemming from poor management, for example.

Corporate Wellness Is Still Hot

Setting aside the recent research from Oxford, one can argue that the overarching issue is that workplace stress and dissatisfaction are at an all-time high, especially as many employers are warning of layoffs and, in recent months, have demanded staff to return to in-person work. 

Lifesum, a global healthy eating platform serving GE, Google and Amazon employees, recently revealed that Gen Z and millennial staffers are experiencing high levels of work-related stress that interfere with their personal lives. Such experiences can have a significant financial impact on the part of employers should staffers look for the nearest exit in favor of a new job.

Corporate wellness giant Gympass has also been sounding the alarm on the debate between in-person, hybrid or fully remote work, finding that the topic is causing a growing workplace conflict that affects employee performance. In a report that examined workplace well-being and return-to-office mandates, Gympass found that location flexibility is crucial to keeping staff engaged and aligns with wellness. 

“Location flexibility — where possible — may be the best approach to supporting worker wellness,” Gympass found. “Workers in their preferred environment, for example, are more likely to say their work enables them to care for their well-being when needed.

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Walmart has leveled up the corporate wellness game with its 360,000-square-foot Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness center at its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas.

The push for wellness is a major component of Walmart’s sprawling new 350-acre corporate campus, which also includes a food hall, office spaces, a hotel and a childcare center. Areas of the campus will open in phases through 2025, although the Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness center opens Friday, January 12.

Investing in Walmart and Sam’s Club employees with wellness and supportive amenities is meant to engage staff and attract “the next generation of talent” needed to compete, as indicated by the retailer on its corporate website. 

Walmart’s decision aligns with the expectations of Gen Z and Millennials, who increasingly seek employers who support their health and wellness. A recent Lifesum survey found that 48% of young workers would quit their current job for an employer prioritizing wellness. Additionally, 69% believe they would be more productive if their employer invested in the improvement of their health and well-being.

Gympass, a leading corporate wellness platform, has continued to emphasize the need to invest in employee wellness, urging that it’s no longer viewed as a mere perk but a necessity. Both large and small-scale employers who properly support their staff reap a long list of benefits and decrease costs while boosting productivity.

Walmart’s new facility, a significant upgrade from its previous Walton Life Fitness Center, focuses on whole health, featuring a multipurpose pool for swim lessons and aerobics, a lap pool, a hot tub and a shallow activity pool with a splash pad for children.

Fitness offerings include traditional gym equipment as well as studios for all workout types, including ones with calming views of nature, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, an indoor turf field, walking and jogging track, basketball courts and shared pickleball and volleyball courts.

“Oftentimes when we’re thinking about wellness, we may be thinking about wellness in a physical sense or wellness in a mental sense, whereas whole health is really sort of a more encompassing concept,” said Walt Cooper, Ph.D., and CEO of the Whole Health Institute. “This space was purposefully designed to provide you the opportunity to pause and reflect on what you need most.”

A promenade is also featured at the center, which the retailer indicates is designed for associates to “gather, learn, reflect and be mindful.” Outside, a meditation garden is available, as well as space for outdoor fitness classes and access to outdoor trails for walking, biking or running. Children are also encouraged to live healthfully with the facility’s youth activity center.

All part-time, full-time, and temporary Walmart and Sam’s Club Associates in the Northwest Arkansas area are eligible for a Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness membership for $12/bi-weekly for associates and $21/bi-weekly for an associate and immediate family.

The retailer partnered with HealthFitness to oversee operations of the new fitness and health facility.

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Gympass, a leading corporate wellness platform, has integrated with Apple Fitness+, meaning more than two million employees globally will now have access to the fitness subscription service. Effective immediately, Gympass subscribers on the Basic Plan and above in the U.S., U.K. and Germany, and those on the Silver Plan and above in Brazil, can access Apple Fitness+ at no additional cost through their Gympass app.

Gympass has a network of over 50,000 gyms, studios, classes, personal trainers and wellness apps, and includes access to Wellness Coaches, who help users create individualized plans. More than 15,000 companies currently use Gympass, which gives employees discounts on fitness classes and gym memberships, along with other wellness perks.

Employee Wellness on the Rise

“Gympass more than doubles the number of employees engaged with wellness, thanks to the breadth of our global partner network and the attractive prices of our plans that cost 30-50% less than traditional gym memberships,” said Cesar Carvalho, CEO and co-founder of Gympass. “We’re excited to strengthen our proven ability to drive employee enrollment by providing access to Apple Fitness+ across more than 15,000 corporate clients and millions of employees globally.”  

According to Gympass’ recent State of Work-Life Wellness report, the majority of employees (87%) would consider leaving a company that does not focus on employee wellbeing, while 93% value wellbeing as much as their salaries. Integrating wellness solutions into company culture has the potential to decrease turnover and save companies healthcare costs, Gympass notes.

Apple’s Fitness & Wellness Push

With Apple Fitness+, Gympass subscribers gain access to thousands of workouts and meditations, like HIIT, strength, wowing, cycling and yoga. Those with an Apple Watch can see their real-time metrics onscreen. Apple Fitness+ also offers popular experiences, like “Time to Walk” and “Time to Run.”

On Monday, Apple also launched additional updates to Fitness+ that demonstrate the tech giant’s investment in the platform and desire to cater to new audiences. In November, Apple partnered with Anytime Fitness, the tech giant’s first partnership with a brick-and-mortar gym chain.

Gympass, meanwhile, raised $85 million in a Series F funding round last summer at a valuation of $2.4 billion, led by EQT Growth with participation from Neuberger Berman Group. The valuation underscores the increasing trend of employees expecting wellness benefits from their employers. Now, Gympass has Apple in its corner, an integration that demonstrates the corporate wellness platform’s growth as well as the tech giant’s desire to bring Fitness+ to new audiences.

This article has been updated with new information on which Gympass subscribers have access to an Apple Fitness+ subscription.

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As 2023 comes to a close, Gympass, a leading corporate wellness platform with a $2.4 billion valuation, has compiled data that shows some interesting trends in how employees are prioritizing their health and well-being.

Gympass analyzed over 250 million in-person gym or digital wellness check-ins from more than two million employee subscribers over the past 24 months to spot year-over-year trends. 

Here are some highlights from the Gympass “Year in Motion” report, as the corporate wellness platform dives into everything from granular fitness details to broader wellness trends:

• Regardless of industry, employees prioritized their wellness this year, with those in financial services leading in active engagement.

• The favorite workout times for workers are 6 and 7 p.m., with 5 p.m. the next most popular time to break a sweat.  

• Those in finance tend to be early birds, with 6 a.m. ranking among the top three workout times.

• January is no longer the reigning month of health and wellness initiatives, finds Gympass. Instead, September came out on top with 50% more check-ins when compared to the first month of the year. Even more surprising? January 1 was the least likely day for Gympass members to log a check-in.

• While Mondays usually usher in a return to wellness and fitness routines, Gympass reports that users consistently favored Tuesdays for check-ins, followed by Wednesdays and Thursdays.

• One area that Gympass members are particularly interested in is habit-tracking. As the corporate wellness platform reports, apps in the Healthy Habits category soared by 111% year-over-year, with wellness enthusiasts engaged in tracking routines such as sleep and water intake.

• The emotional health app category also proves beneficial to Gympass members, with an impressive 74% year-over-year increase in usage. The boost shows employees find emotional well-being meaningful and demonstrates an advancement in mental health and self-care.

• The demand for virtual trainers and well-being coaches also showed increased activity — 44% year-over-year, reports Gympass. The surge shows consumers are interested in customized fitness solutions, which Gympass says reflects a broader trend toward an individualized approach to health and wellness. Gympass itself is leaning into this trend, recently expanding its personal training product, Trainiac by Gympass, to support members by connecting them with wellness coaches.

• Pickleball, one of the hottest racquet sports in recent times, had a 214% increase in check-ins year-over-year, demonstrating its ongoing appeal to consumers of all ages.

• As Gympass has spent much of the year highlighting, most employees (96%) seek employers who prioritize wellness, and 93% of global employees say well-being is just as important as salary. A sizable portion of workers (87%) report they would consider leading a company that doesn’t emphasize employee well-being.

Read the full Gympass Year in Motion 2023 report here.

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Corporate wellness giant Gympass has expanded its personal training product, Trainiac by Gympass, to support members in creating healthy habits by connecting them with wellness coaches. 

Gympass acquired Trainiac, a Seattle-based personal training platform in late 2021 to bring a “new level of personalization” to the Gympass experience.

The wellness coaches will consider an individual’s unique needs and goals as they design personalized plans and provide guidance. The program is available for U.S. Gympass members on the Bronze plan and above, and current members can activate the new personalized wellness offering from their Gympass app.

Wellness seekers can easily connect with the Trainiac by Gympass coaches on the app through video, text or voice messaging. Workout schedules and health-metric tracking are also available for members, as are recommendations based on the Gympass network of 50,000-plus partners, which includes top fitness brands like Crunch Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, Barry’s, Life Time, MyFitnessPal and Orangetheory Fitness, among others.

More Than Just Fitness

It’s the latest move by a major platform in viewing well-being as more than just addressing physical fitness. Moving toward a holistic strategy that provides support in areas such as exercise, sleep, nutrition and mental health can lead to improved overall health.

The Gympass message, business model and workforce insights have resonated with investors, with the corporate wellness platform recently receiving a $2.4 billion valuation and $85 million in Series F funding.

As Gympass has discovered, Gen Z employees are all in on workplace wellness benefits, and providing such services to staff has become a non-negotiable, especially as 93% of global employees say well-being is as important as their salaries and 87% would consider leaving a company that doesn’t emphasize the importance of well-being.

Providing supportive wellness platforms has numerous benefits for employers, too, such as improved productivity and retention, and reduced absenteeism and employee healthcare costs. 

While Gympass is invested in holistic wellness, it still sees the benefit of fitness. Boutique fitness franchisor Xponential Fitness recently inked a deal with Gympass to include its ten brands on the corporate wellness platform as of last month.

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In cubicles and at-home offices around the globe, 37% of employees sit at their workspaces with their heads in their hands, unhappy and unproductive. 

Gympass, a corporate wellness platform with a $2.4 billion valuation, is the expert on workforce insights and trends. In its second annual State of Work-Life Wellness 2024 Report, the company surveyed over 5,000 employees in nine global markets, taking a deep dive into workplace well-being and the hotly debated return-to-office topic. 

In a time when corporate buzzwords swirl, a new term could be coined based on the new Gympass report: The Great Mismatch. 

“Mismatched” employees (defined as those who work remotely but prefer in-office or work in-office but rather work remotely) is directly connected to major gaps in employee well-being, finds Gympass. 

Although numerous leading employers are eager to pat themselves on the back and announce that they are investing in wellness programs, the new Gympass report begs the question: are employers truly listening to “unmatched” employees, or are they simply virtue signaling regarding workplace wellness? 

A Turbulent Time for Workers and Employers

For many, the workplace has become a battleground between employers and employees in recent years.

It goes without saying that the pandemic caused an upheaval in the modern workforce. Between 2019 and 2021, the number of remote workers tripled from 5.7% (roughly 9 million people) to 17.9%, according to the U.S. Census. 

Almost overnight, employees who suffered from a micromanaging boss suddenly had the autonomy to work freely without being under a watchful eye. They no longer had to deal with distracting colleagues, and they may have found relief in having increased flexibility in the absence of long commute times. Remote workers also reported saving $5,000 to $10,000 a year, according to a 2022 survey by FlexJobs.

But as the Gympass report notes, not everyone fell in love with working remotely, with some employees preferring in-person work or a hybrid model for reasons such as socialization and/or wanting a defined barrier between work and home life.

Ultimately, workers were able to quickly assess what worked best for them — but instead of listening, the majority of employers made the final call for the long term.   

By 2021, fed-up workers, citing low pay, lack of opportunities and feeling unheard, ushered in a new era: The Great Resignation, which led to the nation’s “quit rate” hitting a 20-year high. 

After the door to The Great Resignation was opened, all bets were off. 

Workers who felt disgruntled but couldn’t jump ship found a new term to embrace — Quiet Quitting — where they began to do the bare minimum and coast by, vowing never again to go the extra mile for their employer. Let’s also not forget “Rage Applying,” where those who “quietly quit” channeled their energy and frustration into blasting out resumes, hoping to land an interview elsewhere.

Not to be outdone, and in the face of a constant push-pull cycle with workers, some employers began utilizing “Quiet Firing” tactics, making the working environment so intolerable that workers are forced to leave.   

Trust may have been broken on both sides, but there is hope, provided employers seek the guidance of workplace wellness experts.

A New Approach to Corporate Wellness?

Even though companies have begun to explore programs to ensure workers are happy and healthy (thereby increasing retention and their bottom line), there may still be a disconnect. While perks such as workplace yoga certainly can be meaningful, “mismatched” employees aren’t faring well in terms of well-being and rank flexibility as their top priority.

“The workplace ‘mismatch problem’ underscores a larger issue: that well-being is unique to each individual,” said Cesar Carvalho, co-founder and CEO of Gympass. 

“Mismatched” employees reported significant negative effects on their overall well-being when compared to “matched” employees, according to the Gympass report. 

When asked to rate their well-being, “mismatched” employees were twice as likely to report that they were “struggling” or “really struggling” when compared to “matched” employees. 

With regards to stress levels, “mismatched” employees are more likely to experience higher stress levels, lower emotional well-being and suffer from lack of sleep. They are also twice as likely to report being unhappy working for their current employer.

Such dire responses from “mismatched” employees can lead to costly situations such as increased absenteeism, higher turnover and lack of engagement. 

Location Flexibility Is Essential to Employee Wellness

As Gympass has continually reported, employee well-being is a new non-negotiable for workers, with 96% seeking an employer that prioritizes wellness — and its importance is growing year over year. Well-being is on par with salary, 93% of global employees tell Gympass, and 87% would consider leaving a company that doesn’t emphasize employee well-being.

The majority of global employees say emotional wellness (95%) and physical wellness (94%) enhances their productivity and satisfaction at work.

As for employees who are “mismatched” and therefore dreadfully unhappy, Gympass emphasizes the importance of flexibility.  

“Flexibility is a crucial consideration as companies navigate the return-to-office landscape,” Carvalho said. “Everyone is different. Companies can take better care of their employees by offering flexible, preventative benefits that not only make employees happy and healthy, but save your company money in the long term.”

Gympass puts it plainly: “The best work environment is the one you prefer.”

“Location flexibility — where possible — may be the best approach to supporting worker wellness,” according to the platform. “Workers in their preferred environment, for example, are more likely to say their work enables them to care for their well-being when needed.”

You can download the full Gympass report: The State of Work-Life Wellness 2024 here.

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Gympass has made it its mission to champion corporate wellness programs, and for good reason: the platform has attracted 15,000-plus customers and two million employee subscribers.

As Gympass ushers in a renaissance of health — one that advocates for employee wellness as the workforce has begun to expect employer perks such as gym memberships and fitness class discounts — the company has solidified its position as a leader in the category, recently raising an impressive $85 million in a Series F funding round at a $2.4 billion valuation.

The corporate wellness giant also recently partnered with Xponential Fitness in a deal to bring boutique fitness franchisor’s ten popular fitness brands available on the Gympass platform this month.

Invest Now, Save Later

While others in the fitness and wellness industry have struggled, perhaps due to a one-dimensional approach, Gympass is actively revolutionizing the definition of “corporate wellness” by encouraging employers to invest in health-focused benefits to not only attract top talent, retain employees and reduce absenteeism, but to increase profit.

The platform recently emphasized the importance of health-centered programs in a study finding that investing in employee wellness actually increases a company’s bottom line.

“Employee well-being is now a necessity, causing employers to double down on their wellness benefits,” said Carolee Gearhart, chief revenue officer at Gympass. “This has sparked massive growth for Gympass, and this year we surpassed a quarter of a billion (250 million member check-ins) to our network of 50,000+ partners. This milestone comes just 18 months after we reached 100 million total check-ins, indicating that we’re growing 10x faster today than we did in our first nine years in business. Beyond this, our paid, active subscriber growth nearly doubled year-over-year.”

Gearhart points out that more than four out of five employees globally believe well-being is equally important to salary, and 53% of U.S. workers and 44% globally reported that they’re stressed daily. 

“Today’s employees understand the value of well-being and demand it, which is putting pressure on employers to adapt,” Gearhart said, adding that from an employer’s perspective, this necessitates a shift from reactive and traditional healthcare benefits that increase costs to more holistic and preventative wellness benefits that reduce costs and improve employee well-being and productivity. 

“There is a growing demand for comprehensive wellness benefits encompassing mental health support, meditation guides, nutritional advice, sleep aids and financial literacy programs,” Gearhart notes. “Offering these resources can directly bolster employee engagement, satisfaction and productivity, thereby proving beneficial for both the employers and their staff.”

Perhaps most importantly, wellness programs go beyond just positively impacting employee acquisition, satisfaction and retention – they also decrease healthcare costs for the entire organization, which, as Gearhart points out, comes when these savings are desperately needed. 

“I’m constantly talking to employers who are bracing for significant healthcare cost increases in 2024, and they’re worried,” she said. “But here’s the thing: Gallup estimates that a whopping 75% of company healthcare costs stem from preventable conditions. If they’re preventable… then let’s prevent them!”

Gympass, Gearhart explains, offers a solution for employers who connect preventative healthcare as a cost-reduction measure while also boosting employee happiness and engagement. 

“And we have the data to back it up: physically active employees can reduce healthcare costs by 35%,” she said. “It’s a win-win-win for everyone involved, and 90% of the companies that measure their wellness program’s return on investment see a positive return. “

The Corporate Wellness Era

Corporate wellness programs have the potential to reshape how companies approach employee health benefits by encouraging the adoption of preventative wellness benefits. One Gympass study found that employees who engage in physical activities at least five times a month can help reduce a company’s healthcare costs by 35% over a 12-month period. 

“There are a number of reasons why companies experience ROI on these wellness programs, with one of the primary reasons being that it actually saves businesses money in the long run,” Gearhart said, sharing that 78% of global human resource leaders surveyed said their wellness program reduced their health care costs, and 85% reported decreased utilization of sick days.

While employee priorities have changed, especially in response to the pandemic, Gearhart says the key trends in corporate wellness include flexibility, accessibility and personalization. 

“Gympass lowers barriers to fitness and wellness by offering a variety of live, digital or on-demand solutions in subscriptions that cost employees up to 50% less than traditional memberships,” she noted. “With over 60% of new subscribers not having a gym membership before subscribing, Gympass more than doubles the number of employees engaged in wellness.”

As Gympass looks ahead, the wellness platform expects well-being programs to grow in the coming years. 

“Our aim is to make employee well-being universal, creating an environment where employees feel empowered to prioritize their overall health,” Gearhart said.

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Xponential Fitness, hot off the news that it will be entering the Metaverse, has announced yet another new partnership, this time with the Los Angeles Rams. 

The collaboration will bring Rams fans into the fold of Xponential’s portfolio of ten boutique fitness brands, which includes Club Pilates, Pure Barre, CycleBar, StretchLab, Rumble Boxing, BFT, YogaSix, Row House, Stride Fitness and AKT. The two entities will launch a workout content series starring Rams cheerleaders, and on Rams game days, Xponential Fitness branding will appear on digital signage at SoFi Stadium.

“We are incredibly proud to join forces with the Los Angeles Rams,” said Danyal Ali, chief marketing technology officer of Xponential Fitness. “This partnership represents a tremendous opportunity for us to inspire and empower individuals to lead healthier lives through our family of brands and their best-in-class fitness experiences. Our partnership goes beyond fitness and sports, it’s about creating a vibrant community where health, entertainment, and togetherness intersect.”

The boutique fitness franchisor and the Rams will also partner across the Los Angeles community to make an impact.

“We are pleased to welcome Xponential Fitness to the Rams family,” said  Jennifer Prince, Rams chief commercial officer. “Their dedication to providing accessible and innovative fitness options aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire and unite our fans. Together, we will create memorable and impactful experiences for fitness lovers and Rams fans alike.”

It’s been a noteworthy month for Xponential. In addition to its popular boutique fitness brands headed to the Meta Quest 3 as part of a new virtual and mixed-reality app, the company hired Gary Vaynerchuk to lead its marketing plans, a collaboration that begins in October. Xponential is also pushing into corporate wellness, partnering with Gympass.

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Following two significant announcements amid its recent Analyst and Investor Day, Xponential Fitness is amped over what’s ahead, with the boutique fitness franchisor issuing new three-year operating targets that include opening 500 new studios and hitting $405 million in revenue.

Sarah Luna, president of Xponential since 2021, spoke with Athletech News about what lies ahead for the company, including whether it intends to acquire another boutique fitness brand and its impressive international expansion efforts. Luna also touched on Xponential’s recent collaborations with social media maven Gary Vaynerchuk and corporate wellness platform Gympass.

The Post-Pandemic Rise of Boutique Fitness

Fitness consumers are eager to connect in a post-pandemic environment, seeking experiences, becoming more engaged in their communities and visiting Xponential’s facilities. Connection is part of the allure of a boutique fitness experience, which often emphasizes community and is an atmosphere that Xponential has worked to refine.

“We just continue to see a really strong appetite for community, and that’s one of our value propositions,” Luna said.

In 2024, Luna forecasts that the current enthusiasm for connection will continue, with consumers looking for opportunities for community-building rather than following a specific fitness trend. 

“I don’t know necessarily that there is excitement over one particular modality versus the other, but I do know that people will continue to seek a fulfilling place to spend time – they can find that in our studios,” she said.

The broader shift toward fitness and well-being is working in Xponential’s favor, with consumers embracing healthy habits as part of their identity now more than ever before.

“You see t-shirts all the time that say, ‘I work out, I sleep, I eat, I work out,'” Luna points out, adding that having a gym or fitness membership has become incorporated into the everyday life of a growing number of consumers, as much as going to school or work — which is good news for Xponential. The company currently has over 690,000 members, a 55% increase since 2021.

“It’s a part of people’s daily lives,” Luna said of fitness. “And it’ll just continue to get stronger, especially as we continue to grow our footprint.”

Will Xponential Acquire Another Brand?

Although Xponential currently has ten boutique fitness brands in its portfolio, acquiring an eleventh or twelfth brand is something that the fitness franchisor talks about “all the time,” Luna revealed.

“Throughout COVID, we were able to be opportunistic and keep eyes on many different modalities,” she reflected. “There’s a lot that goes into acquisition decisions, but essentially it boils down to the right time, right place, right economics…and then, of course, the right fit for Xponential — and sometimes you don’t get all of those things to line up perfectly. But at the end of the day, we’ve got our eyes on a lot of different modalities and a lot of different opportunities.”

While Xponential has been focused on fitness, the boutique franchisor is intrigued by the blossoming wellness sector, with Luna confirming that Xponential has had conversations with various companies.

“We already have StretchLab, which has done very, very well for us,” she said. “We are entertaining ideas of how we broaden our portfolio to go a little bit more into the wellness category and what that would look like.” 

Why Franchisees Trust Xponential

One area that Xponential says sets it apart from its competitors is its relationship with its franchisees and the support infrastructure the company has set up for them.

“I think the support that we provide our franchisees is second to none,” Luna said. “I owned a franchise in a different concept, so I’ve seen firsthand what other franchisors are offering. When we work on franchisor panels or we go to different trade events and swap stories on best practices — we’re always a leader.”

Luna also credits franchisees for providing a polished experience for members with a ‘white glove’ approach to service that includes great talent, clean facilities and exceptional customer service.

“Our franchisees are continuing to toe this line of being best in class, not only in boutique fitness but all things that roll up to a boutique fitness experience,” she said. “It’s not just having a great product, but it’s every step of the way that we touch the customer, that we interact with the customer that we continue to be top notch.”

The Power of Gary Vee

Xponential recently tapped entrepreneur and social media star Gary Vaynerchuk’s media agency to oversee its marketing and content efforts across all of its ten brands. The deal will see Vaynerchuk directly lead Xponential’s marketing plans effective October 1, 2023. 

“He did an incredible job on Wednesday,” Luna said of Vaynerchuk, who spoke at Xponential’s Analyst and Investor Day on September 6. “What I loved about what he reiterated was the fact that his team is going to be looking at digital marketing and consumer trends on a daily basis.”

As Luna explained, many professionals who are welcomed into the Xponential franchise family come from various backgrounds, with some learning about marketing, networking and grassroots efforts for the first time.

Although Luna says Xponential’s teams do an excellent job of educating franchisees on the importance of marketing, Vaynerchuk’s expertise will enable the boutique fitness franchisor to concentrate on supporting franchisees in other areas.

“What Gary’s team will bring to the table is that they’ll be able to single-handedly focus just on using digital marketing to acquire new leads, and that’s what they’ll be thinking about each and every day,” Luna shared.

Behind the Gympass Deal

As corporate wellness becomes a major part of the employee experience, Xponential also announced last week that it has partnered with Gympass to further solidify its position as a fitness and wellness leader.

“It’s the right time and it’s the right deal to do and to bring to our franchise partners,” Luna said of the Gympass partnership. “And it just makes sense as we continue to open 500 studios on a yearly basis. That will continue to enable us to be the dominant player for boutique fitness.”

The post-pandemic hybrid work models are favorable to Xponential’s ambitions.

“Most employers have to offer all of their employees the exact same benefits and experience whether they’re remote or they’re in-office,” Luna pointed out. “What you saw before COVID (because everyone was in-office) was that corporations could do small-scale deals with maybe a five-unit gym or a local operator because they knew that all of their employees were in the area and would have equal access.”

Now, with more national and global companies adopting a hybrid or semi-remote model, Xponential can offer a full portfolio of fitness and wellness offerings, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

“Employees can now choose whether they want to do yoga, Pilates or cycling, and don’t all have to love one particular modality,” said Luna. “That’s ultimately what we bring to Gympass and what we’re going to further bring to corporate employees as well.”

B2B Partnerships Are a Key Focus

Xponential has had success with numerous B2B partnerships, recently expanding its deal with Lululemon to add Pure Barre, Rumble Boxing, AKT and YogaSix to the Lululemon Studio platform. The fitness franchisor has also forged partnerships with brands including Perfect Bar, LA Fitness, Princess Cruises, LG, Aktiv, Celsius and Territory, all of which are designed to attract new members and increase brand awareness.

It’s an area Xponential will undoubtedly continue to tap into as it looks to the future.

“We’re in conversations and we have a huge lead list of companies that we’re talking to,” Luna confirmed. “We’ve already filled out our domestic aggregator partnerships. In terms of where our focus and our attention is going to be, it’ll be on finding products or services that are like-minded and would fit naturally into our offerings to bring additional benefit to our end consumer.”

International Expansion Plans

As Xponential celebrates domestic success, it’s also steadily focused on international expansion, with Australia, Europe and Japan identified as key, emerging markets.

“I think that international expansion often gets a little lost on some people, but it’s kind of like this growing snowball,” Luna said. “Talking to our master franchisees and looking at the numbers on the sheet and going, wow — internationally we’re getting bigger each and every day.”

Earlier this summer, Xponential signed a master franchise agreement in France for Club Pilates to license a minimum of 75 studios in the country over the next ten years and celebrated the opening of StretchLab in Sydney, Australia. Xponential has also entered into master franchise agreements for StretchLab, AKT and Rumble in Japan.

“Every day, we’re opening new businesses and we’re leveraging the knowledge and skill set of what we’ve done here domestically,” Luna said. “When you look at all of our growth domestically, it’s impressive and it’s exciting, and then you look at our global growth and it’s just even more exciting.”

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Gympass, a top corporate wellness platform, has raised $85 million in a Series F funding round at a valuation of $2.4 billion, an eye-watering number given the struggles of other fitness industry companies in the current economic environment. 

EQT Growth led the funding round, with participation from Neuberger Berman Group on behalf of the investment firm’s client funds. In addition to the Series F, General Atlantic and Moore Strategic Ventures increased their stakes in Gympass by purchasing existing shares from earlier investors and current and former employees.

Gympass’ sky-high valuation comes as demand soars for corporate wellness programs, with employees increasingly coming to expect options like gym memberships, discounts on fitness classes and other wellness perks as part of their compensation package, especially from top firms. 

“Gympass is revolutionizing corporate wellness at a time where every company is making investments to drive efficient growth and reduce spending,” said Cesar Carvalho, co-founder and CEO of Gympass. “Organizations are shifting from reactive and traditional healthcare benefits that increase costs to more holistic and preventative wellness benefits that reduce costs and improve employee wellbeing and productivity.”

It’s been a record year for Gympass, which has found success despite global macroeconomic headwinds that have tanked the valuations of other fitness companies. The wellness platform grew its customer base by 80% to more than 15,000 corporate customers and surpassed two million employee subscribers across its network of more than 50,000 partners.

Founded in 2012 in Brazil, Gympass offers companies and their employees access to what it says is the largest global network of gyms, studios, classes, personal trainers and wellness apps. In addition to longstanding partnerships with gyms including Crunch Fitness, Gympass recently added top fitness brands like 24 Hour Fitness, Barry’s, Life Time, MyFitnessPal and Orangetheory Fitness to its network. 

Gympass is also pushing into wellness and holistic health, recently partnering with mental health app Headspace. The corporate wellness platform also has partnerships with Sleep Cycle, a sleep-tracking app, and Thrive Global, a behavior change platform. 

According to Gympass, investing in employee wellbeing has positive impacts on worker retention, happiness and productivity, and also decreases healthcare costs for organizations. The platform recently released a study on the ROI of wellness programs, finding that 90% of companies that measure the ROI of their programs see a positive return. Physically active employees can reduce company healthcare costs by 35% after a 12-month period, the study found. 

“Our accelerated growth and new round of funding reflects validation of our model, that Gympass is uniquely positioned in any economic environment as companies seek innovative partners to reduce healthcare costs and improve employee wellbeing,” Carvalho said. 

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Corporate wellness unicorn Gympass has added MyFitnessPal as one of its 50,000 partners after receiving numerous requests from users and clients to collaborate with the popular nutrition and food-tracking app.

MyFitnessPal, which has empowered 200 million users since launching in 2005, will bring its capabilities to the Gympass platform. As a result of the collaboration, over 20 million employees at over 10,000 organizations across the globe will now have access to MyFitnessPal’s food-logging tools, exercise activity tracker and wellness habits log.

As Gympass points out, wellness initiatives have become essential for employees, putting pressure on employers to provide their staff with access to physical fitness, mental health and nutritional resources. 

Gympass has been fulfilling a need, reporting that its wellness platform has grown ten times faster than it did in its first nine years. The Brazilian company recently announced it received over 250 million check-ins to its network of partners, who provide physical and mental health resources. It was valued at $2.2 billion in 2021.

The rise in employee demand for well-being puts pressure on employers to prove they are just as committed to overall wellness as their employees.  

According to Gympass’s 2022 State of Work-Life Wellness Report, 83% of employees believe that their well-being is just as important as their salary, with 77% saying they would consider leaving a job that didn’t prioritize health and wellness.

Employees having access to well-being programs impacts more than just retention, productivity and happiness, says Gympass. It also aids in the reduction of absenteeism and healthcare costs. Gympass points to a Harvard study on the ROI of wellness programs that found businesses save $3.27 for every dollar spent on healthcare costs.

Organizations that use Gympass can achieve 43% higher retention rates and up to 25% lower annual employee healthcare costs than those that do not, the platform says.

The addition of MyFitnessPal comes as Gympass previously announced key partnerships with other organizations such as Thrive Global, Headspace, Sleep Cycle, 24 Hour Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness and CorePower Yoga, which it says helps keep the platform as flexible and adaptable for all employees as possible.

“We’re in a crisis of well-being, and it’s crucial for employers to take proactive steps to address this issue – bare minimum health benefits will no longer cut it,” said Cesar Carvalho, CEO and co-founder of Gympass. 

“At Gympass, we believe in providing employees with the necessary resources to enhance all aspects of their health in a way that suits their individual needs,” Carvalho continued. “This approach not only creates a healthier and happier workforce but also reduces healthcare costs by prioritizing preventative health measures. Our goal is to develop the world’s most comprehensive well-being platform, and we’re thrilled to introduce MyFitnessPal.” 

Gympass emerged strong from the pandemic,  receiving $220 million in funding in 2021 from Softbank, General Atlantic, Moore Strategic Ventures, Kaszek and Valor Capital Group. The funding was intended to support the platform’s expansion in the U.S. and reach new categories. 

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CorePower Yoga is looking to downsize its headquarters to accommodate its remote work model for some employees. The largest yoga company in the U.S. is one of many companies transitioning its office space in light of a new era.

According to a report by Denver Business Journal, the yoga company has confirmed it listed its 30,000 square-foot headquarters for sublease at Industry, a corporate campus in Denver. The reason? CorePower Yoga says it’s looking for better options for its staff, who sometimes work from home.

“Among those options, we are looking at sub-leasing some or all of our space. However, we would ideally retain part of it for collaboration, community and connection. We really enjoy the proximity we have to our RiNo studio because it serves as a place where our employees can practice together and be part of our community,” a CorePower Yoga spokesperson told Denver Business Journal.

RiNo, nicknamed after River North Art District, is a trendy neighborhood known for its fun vibe and colorful murals. 

CorePower Yoga’s decision to downsize is just one example of an ongoing issue that employers, real estate developers and city planners are dealing with as remote and hybrid work continue to eliminate office spaces. So how can employers create an appealing work environment where employees want to be present?

Vacant offices across the nation

In an adjacent fitness category, Reebok listed its entire Boston Seaport District office for sublease last fall after moving into the five-floor space in 2017. The office even included a 30,000-square-foot gym.

The decisions by CorePower Yoga and Reebok aren’t an anomaly, of course. The office market has struggled since the pandemic and the resulting changes in traditional work models – a shift that has occurred nationwide. 

New York City’s office vacancy rate and available sublet space have hit new records. In Connecticut major employers such as UnitedHealthcare, Prudential Financial and Voya Financial have announced they would downsize their office spaces in light of embracing remote or hybrid work.

Concerns about a shrinking real estate footprint have resulted in coalitions forming to address rising vacancies with actionable insights on how businesses can entice employees to show up to the office and be eager to be there. 

Some landlords have responded by adding fitness centers, outdoor gathering areas that include BBQs and golf simulators when renovating vacant spaces to attract corporate tenants. 

Some companies view the office as an extension of their brand

While a pool table and meditation room are nice perks, some companies see their workspace as an extension of their identity, hoping to keep the brand at the forefront of their employees’ minds and actions. 

Consider Alo Yoga, a lifestyle and fashion brand that includes Alo Moves, a fitness platform. Its global headquarters, just a few minutes from its Beverly Hills store, was previously the home of Sony Music until it was renovated in 2020. 

A massive living tree greets corporate headquarters employees, with Alo Yoga co-founder and co-CEO Danny Harris believing that “mindful messaging” begins at home (aka the office).

Forbes described the space as a “Zen biohacker’s dream office.”

As opposed to a dusty treadmill in an empty room sufficing as an office gym, Alo features state-of-the-art fitness equipment from iRope, Hoist Fitness Systems, SkiErg by Concept 2 and Clmbr. A group fitness space is also available for yoga, boxing, sound baths and meditations. 

Alo even goes further with red light saunas, cold plunge pools and a cryotherapy chamber.

A joint effort among tenants

Some real estate developers have become creative in other ways, collaborating with businesses looking to have an on-site presence. Simply being aware of amenities in relation to a building’s possible tenants can have a positive impact. 

TF Cornerstone did just that with Reside, a medical provider, in its Carnegie Hall Tower office building in New York. Reside offers an on-site primary care physician who is available to all the company’s tenants, while also offering acupuncture, a dietician and a therapist, along with other wellness services.

Reside has proven effective in the building, TF Cornerstone’s Jake Elghanayan told Commercial Observer last month.

“Tenants have responded very strongly to this, and (Reside) helped our tenants work through health-related office policies, especially during the pandemic,” Elghanayan said. 

While wellness amenities can increase employee productivity and create happy and healthy employees, TF Cornerstone has also found that adding an entertainment option, such as a golf simulator, can help employees take a well-deserved break to work on their golf swing.

Opportunities for fitness and wellness companies 

While reports indicate that remote work is here to stay, with Upwork suggesting that 36.2 million people in the U.S. will be remote by 2025 (an increase of 16.8 million people compared to pre-pandemic data), there are numerous opportunities for the fitness and wellness industry.

Whether it’s becoming a tenant in a building where remote work is not an option or launching corporate wellness programs that span in-person and hybrid employees, fitness and wellness companies have an edge.

Companies nationwide have begun to recognize the importance of investing in employee well-being, especially after a difficult few years. Corporate wellness programs are increasing, especially those with a personalized approach. Due to differing work models between employees, wellness programs that use digital tools and platforms, like virtual meditation or fitness classes, can easily fulfill a need.

Wearable technology is another area where the wellness industry can support employers and staff, especially when tied to wellness initiatives. ŌURA launched a business platform last year providing key health data and insights to track stress and sleep deprivation, both of which are costly for employers. 

If Gympass’s recent findings are any indication, regardless of what a fitness or wellness company decides to do to advance its presence in the corporate world, it will be appreciated by employees.

As the world’s largest employee well-being platform, Gympass revealed that it received over 250 million check-ins to its network of physical and mental health partners, signaling that just as remote and hybrid work is the new norm, employers are now also expected to support the health and wellness of their employees.

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Quiet quitting, rage applying, ‘bare minimum Mondays’ – the workforce has recently produced a slew of buzzwords. If Gympass is any indication, a significant number of employees are signaling a new trend: holistic employees – those who prioritize their health and well-being with the expectation that their employers support wellness.

And it appears that they are.

Gympass, the world’s largest employee well-being platform, has announced that it has received over 250 million check-ins to its network of partners providing physical and mental health resources.

The latest check-in number comes 18 months after Gympass reached 100 million total check-ins, demonstrating that the well-being platform is growing ten times faster than it did in its first nine years.

As the employee demand for well-being has risen, a luxury coffee maker or free snacks in the break room simply aren’t cutting it. Employees instead want increased wellness benefits, classes, opportunities, and access to well-being apps.

Gympass concurs, stating that its acceleration results from a combination of factors, including employee reprioritization.

According to Gympass’s 2022 State of Work-Life Wellness Report, 83% of employees believe that their well-being is just as important as their salary, with 77% saying they would consider leaving a job that didn’t prioritize health and wellness. The rise in the employee demand for well-being is putting pressure on employers to prove they are just as committed to overall wellness as their employees.

Companies recognize that employees with access to well-being programs impact more than just retention, productivity, and happiness. It also helps to reduce absenteeism and healthcare costs. For example, according to Gympass, a Harvard study on the ROI of wellness programs found that businesses save $3.27 for every dollar spent on healthcare costs.

Overall, Gympass is benefiting from the increased emphasis on workplace wellness, with a 44% increase in corporate clients in 2022 compared to 2021, including Citizens Bank, SeatGeek, and the University of Phoenix. According to the well-being platform, organizations that use Gympass can achieve 43% higher retention rates and up to 25% lower annual employee healthcare costs than those that do not.

Gympass has been busy collaborating with other wellness organizations such as Thrive Global, Headspace, Sleep Cycle, 24 Hour Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness, and CorePower Yoga, which it says helps keep the platform as flexible and adaptable for all employees as possible.

Headspace was one of Gympass’s fastest-growing apps within the first week of launch at the start of the year, demonstrating that mental health is just as important to employees as physical well-being.

“Gympasss and its partners are lowering the barriers to entry for well-being,” said Cesar Carvalho, CEO and co-founder of Gympass. “We’re building a more accessible, flexible platform so that people can take care of themselves based on their own individual needs, whether that is physical or emotional health, nutrition, sleep or other interests. Gympass’ growth is a direct result of our expansion and investment into these areas – and we’re not slowing down.”

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After a year filled with momentous announcements regarding company alliances, Gympass is kicking off 2023 with another for the betterment of mental health in the workplace. The corporate wellness platform’s new partnership with digital mental health provider Headspace Health will now give employers the option to offer Headspace to employees. Headspace, which is a mindfulness and meditation-based wellness program, will be found in the Mind section of Gympass’s database for users to engage with the many hours of guided meditations, sleep, focus, and movement exercises and other content embedded within.  

The new business collaboration between Gympass and Headspace Health follows the release of the former’s salient work-life balance report in late 2022. The company’s report, titled “The State of Work-Life Wellness,” showed a “crisis of wellbeing” in which employees appeared dissatisfied with their workplace wellness amenities, or a lack thereof.  

“Today’s employees aren’t willing to put their mental health and wellbeing at risk in favor of a paycheck — and that’s not just my assumption,” says Gympass CEO and co-founder Cesar Carvalho in a press statement.  

Carvalho adds, “In our 2022 State of Work-Life Wellness Report we found that wellbeing is just as important as salary for more than 80% of employees globally. This indicates a massive shift in mindset that has only been accelerated by the past few years. Gympass’ goal, in tandem with Headspace Health, is to help employers better support their employees’ mental health and wellbeing.”

“The responsibility falls on employers to care for their people. By offering Headspace’s easily accessible, beloved and evidence-based resources alongside fitness and nutrition tools, organizations can create positive impacts on talent acquisition and retention while fostering a happier, more productive workforce.”

Headspace Health CEO Russell Glass also believes Headspace and Gympass’s nascent relationship will help to reinforce the focus on mental health in the workplace. He says, “Our mindfulness and meditation resources are a wonderful way for companies to help cultivate healthier employees and more productive teams. We are thrilled to work alongside Gympass in helping people all around the world to prioritize their mental health and wellbeing, and to help employers make smarter leadership and benefits decisions to support their most important investment: their people.” 

Gympass and Headspace Health’s combined interest in helping to make businesses more adept in caring for the minds of those hired to perform services and lead teams marks the latest chapter for mental health in the workplace.

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Gympass is bidding farewell to 2022 in a big way. Right on the heels of announcing a partnership with Stronger U Nutrition, the acclaimed corporate wellbeing platform has also partnered with CorePower Yoga and 24 Hour Fitness. This news comes not long after the release of Gympass’ inaugural State of Work-Life Wellness Report, which sheds light on the present work-life imbalance in today’s society, per Gympass’ findings from the study.  

Gympass members in the United States will now be able to go to any of CorePower Yoga’s 180-plus locations for their fitness needs. In addition, both 24 Hour Fitness and Gympass lovers can merge their affinity for both brands, thanks to the duo’s new collaborative business effort. In a statement for the press, Gympass CEO and co-founder Cesar Carvalho explains why he feels so confident about his company’s decision to partner with 24 Hour Fitness.

“Adding 24 Hour Fitness to Gympass’ roster of fitness studios strengthens our mission to make wellbeing universal by offering employees a range of wellness studios they can take advantage of at any time that works for them,” says Carvalho. Indeed, Gympass users can take advantage of any of the nearly 300 24 Hour Fitness gyms across the country. 

As for the new CorePower Yoga partnership deal with Gympass, the latter’s vice president of Partnerships, Massi Sardi, tells Athletech News about the significance this alliance represents for placing more attention on work-life wellness for all. He explains, “The past few years have shown us just how important it is to prioritize wellbeing — in and outside of the workplace — and this partnership with CorePower Yoga empowers employees to take care of both their mental and physical health through the mindfulness of yoga. When employers can support their teams with these tools, we see more engaged, happier employees and a healthier workforce overall.”

CorePower Yoga’s chief of staff and head of Strategy, Alex Pasley, adds, “We are excited to expand our corporate wellness strategy with an industry-leading partner like Gympass. Our partnership with Gympass will help to grow our student community across the country and bring more yoga to more people in service of overall health and wellbeing. Workers today demand more work-life balance and physical and emotional health. We’re thrilled to work with a company whose mission advances the availability of critical wellbeing options for modern workforces.” 

Over 10,000 companies utilize Gympass’ well-rounded network of fitness trainers, gyms, classes, and apps to suit the health and wellness needs for a number of employees.

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Gympass consumers can tackle their nutrition goals with the help of the all-in-one subscription platform’s newest partnership with Stronger U Nutrition. Deemed as Gympass’ first nutrition coaching program on offer, Stronger U provides personalized nutrition plans created by a Stronger U coach based on completed questionnaires from clients. With weekly coach check-ins and targeted goals, Stronger U is poised to help Gympass users in the United States and United Kingdom get a better grip on their health and fitness objectives. Gympass Co-Founder and CEO Cesar Carvalho stresses the cornerstone of the company’s mission is wellness overall, encompassing more than just being physically fit. 

“Adding Stronger U Nutrition to Gympass’ list of wellbeing services further advances our mission to make well being accessible and offer adaptable employee wellness solutions that help users take advantage of their wellness journey in a way that works best for them… by expanding our 1:1 coaching applications to nutrition, we’re able to support Gympass users with a range of tools fit for each of their ever-evolving needs,” says Carvalho. 

Stronger U Nutrition President Adam Zeitsiff adds, “Gympass knows wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all and that empathetic support from an expert coach is critical to a person’s journey, and this is especially true when it comes to nutrition. We’re thrilled to partner with a company that acknowledges the importance of physical and mental wellbeing on an individual level and whose mission is to bring this support to millions of people around the world.”

In earlier months, Gympass made headlines for partnering with Orangetheory Fitness and Les Mills, and in 2021 raised a $220 million Series E funding round. That $220 million placed the company’s valuation at $2.2 billion. Gympass touts itself as the only corporate wellbeing platform that offers users access to over 50,000 gyms and fitness studios, including The Bar Method, NYSC, The Y, F45, and Gold’s Gym.

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The topic of work-life balance has become quite the buzzworthy one within the present decade. The notion of it was certainly tested within the past several years due to the onset of the COVID-19 global health pandemic. With working parents pivoting from office work to at-home Zoom life while navigating a schedule not so routine, the current landscape sits at a crossroads. How do we balance work and life now with kids back in the classroom and offices inviting employees back to cubicles with sane minds and healthy bodies? Even more so, how do we balance work and life in a year partially signified by “The Great Resignation,” where both “quiet quitting” and “loud quitting” dominate business and culture headlines? 

According to a recent study conducted by Gympass, titled “The State of Work-Life Wellness,” it’s become clear there’s hardly any balance at all when it comes to our work lives in alignment with our home lives. In fact, the study shows we as a society are in a “crisis of wellbeing.” “The way we’re approaching work isn’t working,” states Gympass CEO and Founder Cesar Carvalho. Carvalho believes employers have a responsibility to “confront this crisis head-on” using a variety of solutions such as fitness, healthy eating or mental health. With one-third of our lives spent working, Carvalho claims it’s the duty of employers to ensure employees are not only encouraged to live healthy lives, but that the former should make active plans to provide resources for the latter to do so. “We, as leaders, all want our employees to thrive, both at work and in their personal lives. But we first must listen to our people to make that vision possible, so let’s hear what they have to say,” adds Carvalho.  

Gympass’s own research uncovered 48 percent of employees who said their wellbeing declined in 2022, with over 25 percent of Americans being despondent over their job roles and 48 percent of Americans unsatisfied with the lack of care for their wellbeing at work. 

With the concept of work-life wellness viewed through body, mind, and life, Gympass’s work-life balance report involves 9,000 employees, who were asked about their own practices and thoughts on workplace wellbeing. The results of Gympass’s study were staggeringly clear — a healthy workplace bodes for healthy employees and vice-versa. 

83 percent of those surveyed said their wellbeing is just as important as their salary, and 85 percent were found to be more likely to stay at their jobs if their employers were dedicated to a focus on wellbeing. In addition, 77 percent said they would consider leaving a company that didn’t focus on their wellbeing at all.   

Unfortunately, the study shows that while employees are well aware of the importance of wellness in the workplace, they are at odds with their own wellbeing at work. In the United States, 46 percent of Americans rated their wellbeing as “okay, poor, or struggling.” That percentage was higher, at 56 percent, in the United Kingdom, using the same markers. In Brazil, 20 percent of respondents claimed their wellbeing as “okay, poor, or struggling.” On a global scale, 36 percent of respondents do not think their employer is committed to their wellbeing. 

Gympass’s “The State of Work-Life Wellness” shows an apparent disconnect between employer and employee where workplace health is concerned. But, this can change for the better, if employers decide to prioritize the wellbeing of their employees. The work-life balance report by Gympass states, “Employers who humanize their workplace and create a culture where employees feel taken care of both in and out of the workplace will wind up with employees who feel fulfilled and secure.” Corporate wellness platforms like Gympass who are finding ways to combat employee burnout and dissatisfaction by offering wellness programs will most likely encounter high employee retention numbers and, in general, a robust workplace environment. 

The study declares in conclusion, “The answer lies in creating a culture of wellbeing, where employees feel not only supported, but incentivized to take breaks, recharge, and prioritize movement. This is creating a corporate culture of care. This, to us, is the epitome of work-life wellness.” The “State of Work-Life Wellness” report is a step in the direction of proving healthy work-life balance is a viable way to altogether improve daily life. 

“There’s an altruistic element to supporting our employees in this way, but it also has a positive impact on our bottom lines when employees are happier, healthier, and more engaged,” Carvalho stresses. “That’s what the ‘State of Work-Life Wellness’ report aims to help employers navigate, and we hope other companies will join us in prioritizing the wellbeing of our employees together.”

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Gympass has done it again. Following announcements of partnering with Les Mills, LA Fitness and Strava, among others, the world’s largest employee wellness platform has added Orangetheory Fitness to its thrilling offerings. According to the platform, Gympass’ new business relationship with Orangetheory Fitness has been on the wishlist of members and comes at a crucial time as more individuals seek in-person exercise as pandemic restrictions continue to ease.

Gympass CEO and co-founder Cesar Carvalho stated on the occasion, “Our mission at Gympass has always been to make well-being universally accessible, and with Orangetheory in the fold, we are one step closer to achieving this goal. OrangeTheory is a true giant in the fitness world, and we are elated to bring the studio’s innovative, science-backed workouts to our Gympass members. At a time when wellness benefits have become crucial to employee retention and recruitment, giving employees access to a fitness brand as ubiquitous as Orangetheory will be an incredible asset to HR departments across the country.”

Gympass is known and respected for providing their employees with the same health and wellness offerings they give clients as a company benefit.

Orangetheory Fitness founder and CEO Dave Long also agrees the burgeoning relationship between his company and Gympass will only prove to be beneficial for both parties, their employees and their client base. “Gympass is a true innovator in the corporate wellness space, and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to leverage their expertise and roster of clients to grow our community by making Orangetheory more accessible to thousands of corporations and their employees,” he said. 

Long added, “Orangetheory is all about the science, and the proof is there that wellness programs are critical to employees’ health and productivity. We can’t wait to welcome Gympass users to our family and become a part of their fitness journeys.”

Gympass celebrated its 10th anniversary in late June, and within a decade of its existence has grown to offer a wide array of fitness programs. In the past year, the employee wellness platform acquired Trainiac, Andjoy and 7Card (based in Seattle, Spain and Romania, respectively). Now Gympass users have the option to enjoy Orangetheory Fitness classes as well for their needs.

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