What do you know of onsite fitness/wellness centers?

[Guest ackerman9099]

What about onsite fitness centers vs. fitness club membership discounts? How do you go about setting up an onsite fitness/wellness center?

[jeanine]

Our on-site fitness center is my favorite benefits perk! We previously offered health club & fitness centers discounts only, but now we have the discounts and an on-site center. It's not a huge place, only about 40X20 but there are also male & female locker rooms/showers. The center includes complete nautilus equipment, free weights, 3 high performance treadmills, 4 airdyne bikes, 3 step machines, a rower, and some other equipment. Our first rule is that it is for employees, students, and physicians only. (part of entity is a teaching hospital & nursing school) Access is by key card only for safety and liability purposes. It probably is one of our most utilized perks, even more than on-site child care. I would caution on the liability issue but we require a viewing of an equipment use & safety video, signed consent, and strict limitation to staff use only. We have had no major problems with our center.

[Guest nac]

We have an on-site center in one of our locations; it's a great perk. We charge $20 per month to employees, which is half the annual membership cost. Employees in other locations without on-site centers get the same reimbursement level.

Our on-site center is subcontracted out to Pro-Fitness (a division of HealthSouth), and we've found that that's the best way. They own the equipment, staff the center, instruct various levels of fitness classes, and develop programs. They're wonderful to work with, and all we do is provide the space. We also have an on-site medical clinic, so employees are required to be evaluated and cleared by the clinic staff before joining.