considerations for building a corporate fitness center

Checklist for Building an Onsite Corporate Fitness Center

Bethany Garrity, MS, HFSDirector, Fitness Center Management

The Business Case

1999

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1990, 1999, 2008

(*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person)

2008

1990

Source: BRFSS, CDC

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Endless sugary drink options

Transportation24/7 Fast Food

Building Design

Stairs are unsafe and hard to find

Roads without sidewalks

Roads without Bike lanes

Automobile only access

High traffic – 4-5 lane intersections

Dual income households

Unsafe neighborhoods

Single working parents

Lack of access to healthy food

Lack of access to places to be physically active

Family dinners disappear

How did we get here?

We don’t move enough.

We pay a lot for preventable disease.

We could pay a lot less if we moved more.

We hold these truths to be self

evident…

We spend a lot of time at work.

The Checklist

#1 Do you have the space?

Step 1: Determine anticipated membershipStep 2: Determine “regular members” Step 3: Estimate users over 2hr periodStep 4: Calculate space

Example = 2000 employees onsite

Step 1: Determine anticipated membership60% EE = 1200 members

Step 2: Determine “regular members” 30% Members = 360 regular members

Step 3: Estimate users over 2hr period25% Regulars = 90 users

Step 4: Calculate space 30SF/User = 2,700SF

#2 Do you have the money?

$24,000

$18,000$3,000

$11,000

$6,000

$1,000

Preventive MaintenanceEquipment Repair

Utilities• Water• Electricity• Cable/Satellite

Equipment Replacement• Small Equipment • Capital

Programming Supplies/PrizesOther Supplies• Cleaning supplies/staff• Towels• Paper/pencils/clipboards• Signage/Bulletin Boards

Staffing• Full/Part Time• In house/Contracted• Fee-based/Free services

#3 How do you manage liability?

Managing Liability with Staffing

Managing Liability with a Waiver

Managing Liability with Badge Access

Managing Liability with Policies/Procedures

Managing Liability with Emergency Procedures

#4 How do you sustain enthusiasm?

Create a kick off event with lasting incentive

Provide staffing who can program for new/existing members

Connect fitness center use to other company activities

Plan for the future

Building a worksite fitness center requires serious consideration and

expertise to create an inviting, useful and effective space.

What questions do you have about your checklist?

Bethany Garrity | (317) 274-3432 x208 | bgarrity@nifs.org