The benefits of being physically active are well-known to everyone. In addition to that, it has been proven that physical activity increases productivity when it comes to your everyday job. But what happens if you are stuck at work from at least 9 to 5, and simply have no energy to hit the gym after it?
Consider investing in the office gym. It’s an ideal solution for you and your employees and co-workers. You can work out during your working hours and increase productivity. But it’s important to properly equip your office gym. Here are a few basic tips on how to do so.
1. Consult with your co-workers
You know what they say, a healthy mind in a healthy body. A healthy mind is more likely to achieve more, so, if you want to increase productivity, consider creating a healthy workspace. To create such an environment, you should promote a healthy lifestyle. And there is no better way to “lure” your co-workers to be healthy than opening a gym just for them. There are many reasons to invest in upgrading your business space, and higher levels of productivity are just one of them.
In case you’ve decided to open an office gym, make sure to include your employees and co-workers in the process. Ask them what kind of equipment they use, and let them decide on some important aspects. By doing so, they will be more invested in the idea of having a gym, which means that they will be more likely to use it and value the company’s efforts.
2. Make the space bright
Nobody likes to work out in the dark. Adding the artificial light could help, however, in most cases, it isn’t good enough and makes some people feel drowsy, which is definitely not the right workout atmosphere. As you want to motivate your workers to be physically active, not to fall asleep, make sure your office gym is well-lit with natural lighting. This includes choosing the sunny side of the building, light wall paint, and having large windows to let the sunshine in.
Light wall paint doesn’t mean that space has to be sterile and off-putting, nor should it discourage the staff from working out. Natural lighting is known to be beneficial for human’s well-being, it boosts the energy and it will motivate your staff to work out. Think about sticking motivational images to the walls. It will make the environment “friendlier” and maybe even motivate your staff.
3. Make the gym inclusive
Not everyone feels comfortable using the gym. You should create a space where everyone will comfortably workout in. This also includes modelling your workspace to achieve maximum productivity, which is your main goal.
You can achieve such office gym design with clever zoning and smart design, so even the shyest member of staff can feel comfortable to workout. This also includes the positions of changing rooms and showers, so everyone has enough privacy.
4. High-quality gym equipment
As you know, the company needs to provide the best computers and technology for their workers to achieve their goals. This can also be applied to the gym equipment. It doesn’t matter if you and your co-workers have chosen equipment only for strength training, cardio, or a little bit of both, it’s important to consult with a reliable precor equipment dealer to help equip your office gym with high-quality gadgets and workout equiptment.
Such high-quality equipment can be found at places like Cyberfit, that offer different kinds of weight plates and bars, barbells, treadmills, exercise bikes and many more. The best thing is that they are affordable for your company, and will make your employees satisfied and back on track in no time.
5. Provide health and safety training
Health and well-being of employees should be your top priority. Every employer would hate to see someone fall sick or get injured in the workplace. That’s why it’s important to provide health and safety instructions before letting your staff use the gym for the first time.
To prevent injuries, teach them how to operate with the gym equipment and familiarise your staff with all the necessary aspect of training and health. Consider hiring a fitness professional to conduct one-on-one safety training. Don’t forget to put up the useful signs and reminders on how to use the gym safely.
Conclusion
Opening an office gym isn’t just scattering the equipment all over the space and calling it a gym. It needs proper planning and design to successfully motivate your staff to use the workout facilities. Smart layout and high-quality equipment play the main role in motivation, so make sure not to overlook them. Don’t forget to conduct safety training, and remind your employees to stay safe while working out.
