Employers who provide gym memberships as part of their workplace benefits are helping women form and maintain the exercise habit throughout their lives, new figures suggest.
Data from Epassi UK, a provider of workplace health and fitness benefits, reveals that 43.4% of its GymFlex customers in 2024 were women, with this proportion remaining consistent across all age groups, from 16 to 65 and over.
The findings highlight the significant role employers can play in encouraging more women to be physically active, particularly given the well-documented gender gap in exercise participation.
According to recent research by insurer Vitality, fewer than 25% of women meet the government’s recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Among women aged 20 to 39, the figure drops to just 20%.
Removing Barriers to Physical Activity
The survey data points to the effectiveness of workplace gym benefits in addressing this disparity. Women aged 25 to 44, a group that typically exercises less than men, made up 44.2% of GymFlex users, demonstrating that access to affordable fitness options can help women overcome barriers to staying active.
Epassi UK CEO James Shillaker said making fitness spaces available to staff encourages everyone to use them.
“Our figures show that when women have access to exercise facilities, they will take advantage of them,” he said.
“It’s really encouraging to see that women of all ages are using them. We’ll be working hard with our clients this year to build on these levels with the aim to reach parity between the genders in the near future.”
Promoting Long-Term Health
Encouraging women to exercise is particularly important as they age. Women are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. While strength training can help prevent it, NHS data shows that only 29% of women include sufficient muscle-strengthening activities in their routines.
By providing access to gym memberships and promoting the benefits of specific exercises, such as strength training, employers can play a critical role in supporting women’s long-term health.
The emphasis on workplace fitness benefits comes at a time when long-term health conditions and chronic illnesses are placing unprecedented strain on the NHS. Shillaker said employers have a unique opportunity to tackle the problem.
“With rising levels of long-term and chronic illnesses leading to unprecedented pressure on the health service, it has never been more important to encourage employees to be physically active,” he said.
“Employers have a vital role to play, encouraging employees to take time to look after their health. They have the power to help break down barriers, making exercise an appealing and affordable option, especially women, providing the easy access they need to gym and exercise facilities.”