Many employers face a common challenge: their wellness programs often go underutilized. The primary reasons? Employees are simply not interested in the offerings or feel they don’t have time for fitness or wellness activities. Fortunately, there are simple, cost-effective strategies to turn disinterest into motivation and engagement. Learn more about the common barriers to participation and explore practical techniques to revitalize your wellness programs and engage more employees.
Knowledge is Power
It’s tough to get employees to participate in wellness benefits if they don’t know they exist. Since many employees might overlook emails or handouts, it’s important to share information in different formats. Consider setting up an eye-catching table with information on your various wellness offerings in high-traffic areas. You could leave materials for employees to pick up or recruit an enthusiastic “wellness ambassador” to promote your health benefits and answer questions.
And don’t forget about your remote employees. Consider setting up a dedicated wellness Slack channel to share information about your wellness programs and how to get started.
Employee Buy-in for Better Engagement
Employee buy-in is a powerful force for increasing engagement. When employees understand and believe in a program’s benefits, they’re more likely to participate, and their enthusiasm can inspire others to join. That’s why it’s essential for staff to understand your wellness program and how it can directly benefit them.
To further boost employee buy-in, consider the powerful influence of leadership. When CEOs and other leaders actively participate in wellness programs and model healthy behaviors, they help create a culture that prioritizes health. This can encourage employees to take steps to work on their own health.
Communicate Early and Often
Keeping employees informed about your wellness program is essential to increasing engagement. Regular reminders about your fitness and health benefits keep the program top-of-mind and can encourage continued involvement. Don’t underestimate the power of repetition!
To effectively communicate wellness initiatives, consider these strategies:
- Host an information session to introduce the wellness program, highlight the benefits of participating, and provide clear instructions on how to enroll, access resources, and join initiatives.
- Send regular reminders and updates through internal communication channels such as email, newsletters, Slack or Teams messages, and bulletin boards in the employee kitchen and/or break rooms.
- Share a wellness calendar to keep employees informed about upcoming activities and events. The calendar can be distributed through a wellness portal or monthly email.
Amp Up the Interest
Successful wellness programs depend on employee participation. While many workers may express an interest in improving their health, that enthusiasm often fades when it comes to actually participating in a wellness program. According to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, only 40% of people typically participate in these programs, highlighting a significant opportunity for improvement.
A recent survey by PEAR Health Labs, the AI platform behind the Aaptiv app, found that a lack of interest in available benefits is a major reason employees skip company fitness programs. To increase interest and participation, offering incentives and rewards can be highly effective.
Wellness incentives are increasingly popular with both employers and employees. The goal is to motivate staff to adopt healthier habits, improve health outcomes, and reduce costs for both the company and its employees. Research from the Incentive Research Foundation suggests that incentives play a significant role in motivating employees to engage in workplace wellness programs. While intrinsic motivation is ideal, incentivizing participation can kickstart and sustain wellness motivation over time.
Potential rewards include:
- Company swag like branded water bottles and t-shirts
- Wellness products like fitness gear and yoga mats
- Tech gadgets like fitness trackers and apps, smartwatches, or headphones
- Experience-based rewards like spa vouchers, cooking classes, or gym memberships
- Public recognition like social media shout-outs or a “Wellness Champion of the Month” award
- Extra work flexibility such as additional vacation days, paid time off, work-from-home days, or even paid time off specifically for wellness activities
Addressing the Time Crunch
A common reason employees avoid fitness programs is the struggle to find time for exercise amid long work hours and other commitments. After a demanding workday, strenuous activities can feel like the last thing anyone wants to do.
One way to overcome the time crunch issue is to create a more active work culture that encourages movement during the day. This starts with support from the top, with leadership setting the tone. When leaders actively participate in, and advocate for wellness, employees are more likely to follow suit.
To help employees fit fitness into their busy schedules, consider these budget-friendly strategies that make exercise a natural part of the workday:
- Provide secure bike racks and lockers for workout gear, making it easier for employees to exercise before, during, or after work.
- Allow workout-friendly attire in the office to encourage spontaneous walking meetings.
- Organize periodic company-wide fitness challenges.
- Promote healthy meetings that incorporate standing, stretching, or brief movement into the agenda.
- Offer “active office” furniture such as stand-up or treadmill desks.
- Sponsor employee teams in organized fun runs or walks.
- Provide onsite or virtual fitness classes.
- Integrate 15-minute activity breaks into the workday.
Aaptiv: The Wellness Perk that Works for Every Employee
Aaptiv’s all-in-one fitness solution addresses the two biggest barriers to participation: lack of interest and time. With 10,000 on-demand and AI-powered workout plans tailored to employees’ interests, fitness levels, and schedules, Aaptiv makes it easy for everyone to find a routine that fits their lifestyle. Additionally, Aaptiv provides access to one of the largest gym networks in the country, including 20,000 local and national brands, as well as boutique studios— available exclusively as an employer/health plan benefit, with multiple membership options to fit any wellness budget.
Learn more about Aaptiv employee wellness and fitness benefits.
