Workplace wellness programs are increasingly being outsourced to local fitness facilities and health clubs, a trend that ranked among ACE’s Top 10 Fitness Trends to Watch this year.
ACE’s vast network of fitness professionals isn’t alone in forecasting an increased trend of employers outsourcing wellness programs. The need to improve the nation’s overall fitness and health levels is impossible to ignore. Employers, recognizing that having healthy employees equals higher productivity and less absenteeism, are increasingly turning to the fitness industry and its qualified fitness professionals to reinforce healthy lifestyle habits in their employees.
Currently, about 95 percent—or $2 trillion—of the nation’s healthcare dollars are spent directly on medical services. And even though an estimated 50 percent to 70 percent of all diseases may be linked to preventable health risks, only about 5 percent of those funds are being allocated to preventing disease and promoting health.
Infinite Health Coach, a corporate health and wellness consulting company, identified several major benefits for outsourcing employee wellness:
- Overall, there is a benefit-to-cost ratio of $3.48 in reduced healthcare costs and $5.82 in lower absenteeism costs per dollar invested.
- Return on investment (ROI) of at least $3 to $8 per dollar invested within five years of program implementation
- Lifestyle behavior-change program: $3 to $6 ROI within two to five years
- Disease-management programs: $7 to $10 ROI within one year
Fitness professionals who pursue continuing education to enhance their training in facilitating behavior modification, such as mastering the ACE Integrated Fitness Training® (ACE IFT®) Model, and earn advanced certifications, such as the ACE Lifestyle & Weight Management Coach certification, will gain a competitive edge in serving the growing numbers of corporate wellness clients in their fitness facilities.
If your facility is not yet offering corporate wellness programs, this is a great time for you to create awareness with club managers and club owners.
Acquiring the needed skills and education to serve corporate clients is your most important first step toward expanding both your client roster and your income.