Corporations looking to take fitness outdoors

Fitness goals are rarely easy for people to achieve. And being nearly two years into a global pandemic certainly hasn’t made that easier. To cope, many folks are going outside to achieve their health and wellness goals.

According to U.S. News & World Report, “exercising outdoors increases our exposure to sunlight, enhancing vitamin D production, which has been linked to improving mood, promoting bone health, boosting immune system function and reducing inflammation.”

Given these health benefits, it’s not surprising that one of the trends we’re tracking right now is open-air fitness solutions. These outdoor activity options are helping employers offer a safe, convenient outlet for on-site wellness programs – especially as COVID (and its variants) remain part of our day-to-day lives.

But, the big question many are asking now is this: Are these outdoor activity solutions a pandemic-era phase/? Or are they an option with long-term staying power?

A survey conducted by the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry and McKinsey & Company indicates outdoor activities will outlast the pandemic. They asked participants which sports/physical activity categories they expect to see a lasting increase in participation in 2021 vs. pre-COVID-19. Of the 12 categories listed as options, 84% of survey participants selected outdoor activity as their number one choice.

How do outdoor fitness solutions work?

Imagine taking a 24-day workout challenge at the office and having the chance to go outside in the sun and fresh air every day to participate. Or having the opportunity to meet with a personal trainer outside mid-afternoon to work on functional movement or mobility. It’s already happening thanks to companies like BeaverFit, one of the earliest providers in this emerging market. Container gyms—storage containers custom fabricated with rigging to create outdoor gyms with integrated internal equipment storage—have been a staple on U.S. military bases for most of the last decade.

Now, Fortune 100 corporations, universities, schools, fitness centers, and sports teams are starting to become interested in these outdoor, mobile, and open-air fitness solutions as they seek to create unique outdoor fitness experiences for their employees and communities. Specifically, the open-air pavilion solutions provide protection from the elements, while expanding usable fitness space and providing the many benefits of training outdoors.

In fact, FBI Miami, FitOps, University of Nevada, Reno, and SoHo House (NYC) are already using outdoor fitness solutions with their employees and members.

These organizations are running large-group cardio classes, small group strength classes, personal training, and wellness education in outdoor settings and open-air pavilions that provide shelter from the elements.

The University of Nevada, Reno, has been among the early adopters:

“We were able to convert a rarely used lawn area into a half-court and large fitness area,” says Jim Fitzsimmons, Director Fitness and Recreation Sports, University of Nevada, Reno. “People love the ability to go outside. Group fitness classes, small group coaching, and individuals training themselves all enjoy the space and appreciate the manner in which it is equipped.”

The open-air pavilions also come with performance lockers that provide integrated training stations and internal equipment storage, and can be branded with company logos and artwork, so they fit in seamlessly on corporate campuses.

As we head toward our second full year of the pandemic, looking for opportunities to engage more employees in fitness and wellbeing programs has likely never been more critical. In particular, there’s strong evidence that exercise contributes positively to mental health – one of the most pressing well-being issues we’re facing today.

As with any corporate wellness program, the goal of open-air fitness solutions is to offer an engaging program that gets people moving, contributes to a healthier workplace, and reduces healthcare costs. If switching to, or adding, an open-air fitness solution helps companies accomplish these goals, it’s a win-win proposition.

Arch Hasler (Arch.Hasler@hfit.com) is a senior director, solutions, with HealthFitness, a Trustmark Company. Through its collaboration with BeaverFit, HealthFitness provides a complete open-air fitness solution.