With an increasingly health-conscious workforce, companies must offer exceptional benefits and wellness programs to attract and retain top talent. Generic programs won’t suffice; businesses must tailor their offerings to meet the needs of all age groups. Learn about the different wellness priorities of your staff and how you can leverage fitness benefits as a cost-effective strategy to attract talent across generations.
Gen Z: Generation Tech
Gen Z, born between 1995 and 2015, is the largest generation in the U.S., accounting for 26% of the current population. This generation, comfortable with technology in every aspect of their lives, has specific preferences when it comes to health and fitness benefits.
They report higher stress levels and are more open about their mental health, a trend undoubtedly spurred by the pandemic. For this group, mental health and wellness interventions are crucial. With their potential to mitigate burnout and improve work-life balance, fitness benefits are not just a perk but a necessity.
Millennials: The Wellness Generation
Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, are a significant part of the workforce and represent the future. They currently make up nearly half of the full-time workforce in the U.S. and are projected to dominate 75% of the American workforce by 2025.
Often called the “wellness generation,” millennials place a high value on health and wellness. They lead a health-conscious lifestyle, focusing on healthier eating, more exercise, and less smoking than previous generations.
A recent Gallup poll found millennials prioritize workplace well-being above all else. Consequently, corporate wellness programs must be comprehensive, addressing as many aspects of wellness as possible. The wellness benefits they look for include robust health insurance, mental health resources, and fitness options like subscriptions or memberships. Convenient access to wellness tools and support is also crucial.
Gen X and Boomers Want Wellness Too
Wellness isn’t limited to millennials. One survey found that Generation X (born 1965 – 1980) has three priorities: family, career, and health and wellness. For Boomers (born 1946 – 1964), staying healthy becomes a bigger priority as they age. 79% of boomer employees consider benefits and wellness programs a “must-have” to accept a new job or stay at their current employer.
To attract top talent within these groups, millennials might value free access to fitness apps and gyms plus flexible work schedules to prioritize workouts. Gen Xers and boomers may want exercise programs to address weight gain due to inactivity.
Fitness Benefits Appeal to All Ages
Since all generations are interested in health and well-being, fitness and wellness benefits are a powerful tool to showcase your commitment to employee wellness. Here are the key elements to consider:
- Accessibility: Ensure the program is easily accessible to all employees, regardless of their location or schedule.
- Variety: Provide a range of activities to accommodate different fitness levels and preferences.
- Inclusivity: Make the program inclusive by catering to diverse physical abilities and health conditions.
- Engagement: Offer engaging and motivating programs to encourage ongoing participation.
- Feedback and Measurement: Programs should offer ways for employees to track their progress and receive constructive feedback, helping them see improvement over time.
Aaptiv: A Tool to Attract and Retain Top Talent
By offering the right benefits, companies can show employees they are valued. Studies show that employees who feel valued and appreciated by their employer are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and stay with the company longer.
“Fitness benefits are an easy and affordable way to show your commitment to employee well-being,” says Ashley Summers, Vice President of Customer Success at PEAR Health Labs (the AI behind Aaptiv). She adds that personalization is crucial. “Given employees’ wide range of ages and interests, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. That’s where Aaptiv comes in.”
Here’s how Aaptiv personalizes the fitness and wellness experience for employees:
- Custom Workouts: AI-powered coaching plans learn from user feedback and performance, tailoring future workouts to optimize progress.
- Exclusive Digital Content: An extensive library of 10,000 digital workout classes designed and led by certified trainers ensures a consistent and top-tier fitness experience.
- A Large Fitness Network: Access to 20,000 local gyms, studios like Orangetheory, Pure Barre, F45 and more.
- Variety and Choice: Classes range from running and strength training to meditation and yoga. All classes are between 5 to 40 minutes, providing diverse workout options to keep employees engaged and challenged.
- Group Challenges: Employers can organize team challenges through the app, fostering a sense of community and healthy competition.
- Seamless Integration: Aaptiv’s customer success team makes implementation and engagement tracking easy, allowing HR professionals to oversee and support their team’s fitness endeavors.
Finding and keeping the best people happy and healthy is vital to any company’s success. One effective (and affordable) way to do that is by including personalized fitness programs in your benefits package. Offering such benefits can set your company apart in a competitive job market, making it more attractive to employees.
Learn more about Aaptiv employee fitness and wellness benefits.
