With employee wellness top of mind, more companies push fitness programs as the hybrid return to the office begins

By Jessica Davies

With the return to the office at hand, more companies are making the wellness of their people a priority — and that includes physical fitness.

Now, some employees have a high-profile workout buddy to help keep them on course. Wayfair, Samsung, SAP, Accenture Interactive and Sky are among the companies joining Peloton’s new Corporate Wellness program, which provides employees access to the Peloton app and exclusive benefits on its connected fitness products to support team building and healthy habits.

“We heard from partners that they need flexible employee wellness solutions that can meet the evolving demands of a modern workforce,” said Cassidy Rouse, global general manager of Peloton Corporate Wellness. “Whether you’re at home, on the road, or in the office, you should be able to access the physical or mental exercise that fits your schedule, and even team up with a coworker to motivate each other.”

Some companies have gone as far as to create dedicated studios equipped with the sleek bikes and technology the brand is known for, but perhaps the timeliest feature of the new program is its portability, considering employers’ embrace of hybrid work arrangements. “We spent a lot of time asking, What does the future of work look like?” said Rouse. “Everyone agrees that it’s more flexible and more dynamic. Organizations need wellness benefits that meet the needs of employees where they are.”

The benefits are not limited to physical fitness. In a survey of members in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Germany, 83% of Peloton members said their Peloton routine made them feel more accomplished at work while 64% said it made them more productive.

Firms that partner with Peloton, which boasts 5.4 million members globally, can offer their employees subsidized access to Peloton memberships and connected fitness products. Peloton is promoting the program not only as a means to boost employee health and wellness, but also as a tool for employers to encourage employee engagement and workforce retention.

Dan Healey, head of HR for SAP North America, said the last year showed that strategic investments in programs that foster strong employee engagement, teamwork and inspiration can drive positive results that support hybrid working models. “Our decision to build on early momentum seen from Peloton exercise campaigns we held last year and join Peloton’s Corporate Wellness program reflects this experience,” he added.

Peloton has also partnered with healthcare and insurance company UnitedHealthcare to provide members of the health plan with access to thousands of live and on-demand classes via the Peleton app. These will be available starting in September and will be available for up to a year, or members can receive a four-month waiver toward an all-access membership at no additional charge.

Fitbit is another fitness brand looking to build connections with companies and their people. Its enterprise health platform, Fitbit Care, was designed to motivate employees to manage their health and fitness via the personal trackers the company is famous for, as well as in-person coaching support.

Emory University, a corporate partner of Fitbit, reported that 92% of …read more

Source:: Digiday