Local Fitness Centers Cater To Corporate Members | Getting physical on the boss's dime doesn't have to cost a business a fortune
If the thought of those holiday confections settling in your midsection doesn’t motivate you to hit the gym, maybe an incentive from your boss will.
With roughly a quarter of adults in Central Mass. labeled obese by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, it’s no wonder employers and employees are making health and wellness part of their office culture through corporate gym memberships.
Lagging Indicators
Nearly 40 percent of adults across the country admit they are not physically active, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which can lead to heart disease, the No. 1 killer of adults in the U.S., not to mention mounting health costs and work absences. But MDPH has reported more than half of adults in the center of the Bay State participate in regular physical activity.
There are some affordable, and a few free, options for local cube-dwellers who are looking to slim down or tone up. From reduced membership costs to cholesterol screenings and “Biggest Loser”-type contests, the entire office can participate.
“The relationships we build with our clients last for years,” said Joe Santa Maria, general manager of Worcester Fitness, where about 30 percent of the membership base is corporate clients.
At Worcester Fitness, corporate memberships are usually subsidized by the companies, so employees generally don’t pay a thing. In some cases, health club employees will go to a company’s location to run fitness classes, provide massage therapy services and perform cholesterol screenings, which can be a relief for people who don’t feel comfortable going to the gym. And, employees can get summaries of their progress, if say, for example, a group wanted to see how much their cholesterol dropped over a period of time.
“Employees that are in good health are more efficient and have more self confidence,” said Ned Taft, president of Alden Research Lab, and a Worcester Fitness devotee.
Taft joined the club years ago because he wanted to shed some pounds himself, but then decided to extend the benefits to the rest of the staff. As a result, Alden employees have been corporate members for at least a decade, and the feedback has been positive.
One-On-One
Personal training is hugely popular with the corporate set, not just at Worcester Fitness, but across the board. But if you’re looking for something a little less structured, unbutton your oxford and lace up your shoes for activities like a company-wide game of wallyball, a tennis tournament or a Zumba class — they’re all on the schedule at Shrewsbury Health & Racquet Club, and the first two are exclusive to corporate members. Zumba is a new fitness trend fusing latin music into a cardio dance class.
“It’s great fun and it’s an amazing cardio workout. You laugh while you sweat,” said Darline Yatim, membership director at Shrewsbury Health & Racquet. The club carries about 15 companies as corporate members.
Corporate memberships at the club cut 50 percent off the initiation fee and then 10 percent off each month’s dues. The club will start a corporate program for any company that guarantees at least five memberships. In addition to providing medical screenings, personal training and body measurements throughout the year, the Shrewsbury club also runs group fitness classes at 4:15 p.m. for teachers and other employees of the local school system because that’s what time works best for them.
But where does the tanking economy and shrinking budgets fit into all of this? Companies are definitely cutting costs, and on-site health clubs are getting the boot, but that’s why, in some cases, corporate memberships can be so appealing. Companies can purchase memberships at sometimes deeply discounted rates, ending the need to rent space and pay a company to staff the on-site fitness center.
Mark Federico, owner of Boost Fitness, previously known as Anytime Fitness, where general membership fees can run close to $600 a year, said between corporate discounts, waived enrollment fees and health insurance reimbursements, gym memberships are affordable.
“When all is said and done, [employees] might be spending $100 a year,” Federico said.
Amanda Blaszyk is a freelance writer based in Connecticut.
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