Quick tips when designing your workplace gym
It is more important than ever for businesses to prioritise their staff’s wellbeing…
At Paragon we speak openly about the benefits of creating a gym in the workplace to support the physical and mental health of employees. In 2023, it is more important than ever for organisations to prioritise the wellbeing of their teams – a significant business benefit for employees – it can help with both staff acquisition and retention, but how does designing the ideal gym space for your staff and organisation actually achieve this?
The truth is that a gym is so much more than ‘just a space to work out’. A carefully crafted gym space and team will not only support your staff in achieving their health goals, but will also become a vital communal space to foster positive relationships within your organisation.
Designing your corporate gym can seem like an impossible task, but with the end user in mind, a solid understanding of your workforce and their needs, your own brand clearly defined and the professional support of Paragon, we can together create the space that will deliver for your team and business.
This insight provides some quick tips to consider when embarking on this task to help you craft a healthy and supportive environment for your team.
Explore our quick tips below and get in touch if you’d like to book your free evaluation.
Quick tips when designing your workplace gym
An employee-first approach
Your corporate gym could be a significant deciding factor when it comes to attracting the ideal candidates, it could also be a highlight for those working for you – a means of de-stressing, feeling heard and supported in efforts to look after their health and a way to socialise with team members in a positive manner.
When it comes to designing their space, allow them to be part of the process – ask them what they would like, what is important to them and how you can best support them and build your design around them.
You can do this with questionnaires, workshops, creating a working group with representatives from each team – a collaborative approach will get them onboard with the process and will ensure the long-term success of your investment in this space.
Don’t forget your brand
When designing your corporate gym space, it is important that your brand values and identity are woven into the space. It should also, however, provide respite for your team from the day-to-day in the office, so it’s important that a careful balance is struck between your brand and a space to de-stress.
What does the space tell you?
When designing your corporate gym, it’s important to look at the available space and consider both the opportunities and the limitations that this space provides. Are there any unique features that can be optimised? Are there limitations to the height of the equipment? Is the space large enough for the plans you have? At this point, also consider the layout of the space and equipment to ensure an aesthetically-pleasing, safe and practical space that reflects the needs of your team.
What is your budget?
It goes without saying that there are a lot of variables when it comes to what is achievable with your corporate gym. Plan your budget wisely and consider this throughout the project. When listening to your team’s needs, equipment will be the most likely be the most significant factor in the initial investment, so when it comes to selecting your equipment consider new vs refurbished, high-tech vs low tech, multi-functional vs individual machines. It is also important to consider the ongoing costs of maintaining the space and ensuring the needs of your team are met with value-added services that may be required beyond the space itself.
Safety and accessibility
Conduct an analysis of the space and a health and safety assessment to ensure there are no accidents further down the line. This involves not only the space itself, but also the processes you put in place to ensure the safe use of the facilities at all times.
Accessibility is also a vital point when it comes to inclusivity within the workplace. Ensure all members of your team can safely access and use the space.
Keep it flexible
There’s something you are likely to learn early on in this process – that your team is unique and that each individual has a slightly different preference when it comes to their use of the space.
Keeping the space versatile will be your winning ingredient when it comes to long-term use of your corporate gym. From equipment-based workouts to group sessions – the space will need to deliver on multiple requirements so ensure these are catered for from the get-go.
Keeping the space clean
Processes and people will be as vital to the long-term success of your corporate gym as the overall design. When planning your space, also ensure the processes are in place to provide regular cleaning and maintenance of the space and equipment to keep it in tip-top condition and safe for all to use.
Paragon is your professional partner to ensure the perfect corporate gym design, optimisation and ongoing management.
We take the pain and the unknown out of the process for you – ensuring your space is perfectly aligned with your team and your brand and delivers now and well into the future.
Want to talk? Get in touch to book your free evaluation.