The modern workplace is undergoing a profound shift. Professionals no longer view the office simply as a place to sit at a desk for eight hours a day; instead, they expect a holistic environment that supports their health, productivity, and lifestyle. As businesses navigate evolving working model trends, physical and mental wellbeing has moved to the top of the corporate agenda.
While many leaders historically viewed fitness facilities as luxury perks, they're now understood as essential performance infrastructure. Today, more businesses than ever are seeking offices with gyms and high-quality end-of-trip amenities to support active commutes and healthy daily routines.
In this guide, we explore why forward-thinking companies are prioritising physical fitness in the workplace, what the direct benefits are for your teams, and how our serviced offices are leading the way with premium wellness facilities across the UK.
If you look at the fastest-growing companies in the UK, you'll notice a common theme: their workspaces are designed around the physical and psychological needs of their people. But why do workplaces have gyms in the first place?
As organisations move away from conventional, rigid environments, they're increasingly turning to flexible offices. These agile environments are designed around human needs. Providing an on-site gym in the office addresses a fundamental modern challenge: time poverty. By removing the friction of travelling to an external fitness centre, businesses make it significantly easier for their teams to maintain healthy habits. This integration of lifestyle amenities reflects broader workplace trends that focus on human-centric workspace design.
The shift is equally driven by a growing recognition of the cost of physical inactivity. According to the CIPD Health and Wellbeing at Work 2025 Report, short and long-term sickness absence levels in the UK have reached a historic high, costing the economy billions annually. Minor illnesses such as colds and headaches, muscle and joint issues, mental ill health, and stress remain the leading causes of these absences.
By integrating fitness facilities directly into the workspace, employers are actively addressing these challenges. A workplace gym makes regular movement a friction-free, natural part of the working day, helping teams stay active, healthy, and focused without requiring them to sacrifice as much personal time.
Investing in a workspace that features fitness facilities delivers a substantial return for both employers and employees. When analysing the benefits of having a gym at work, the advantages span mental, physical, and financial areas. Here's why fitness facilities consistently rank among the best office amenities for modern organisations.
Sitting at a desk for several consecutive hours can lead to cognitive fatigue, sluggish decision-making, and low energy levels. So, what are the benefits of office exercise?
A study published in the Harvard Business Review found that regular physical activity directly boosts employee focus and work performance. Tracking professionals over several days revealed that exercise equips employees with valuable resources the following day, specifically improving sleep quality, daily vigour, and task orientation, which significantly enhances concentration, attention, and information processing during office hours.
Even a short, 20-minute workout or structured class increases blood flow to the brain, which sharpens mental clarity and improves memory retention. Employees return to their desks with a renewed sense of focus, allowing them to tackle complex tasks with ease. Providing access to a workplace gym directly translates to a more productive office space, helping your team work smarter, not longer.
Stress is one of the primary drivers of workplace burnout. Regular exercise is a proven, natural stress reliever that stimulates the release of endorphins while reducing cortisol levels.
Providing a convenient outlet for physical activity is also a powerful tool for preventing workplace loneliness and isolation. Group fitness classes and shared gym spaces encourage casual, cross-departmental interactions, helping employees build support networks outside of formal meetings.
Having an on-site gym in the office gives professionals an immediate outlet to clear their minds during a high-pressure day, resulting in a calmer, more resilient workforce.
Desk-based roles inherently encourage a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to cardiovascular issues, poor posture, and back pain. Having a gym at work encourages regular stretching and strength training, which combats musculoskeletal issues. Furthermore, regular physical activity strengthens the immune system.
Workplace benefits are no longer just about pension schemes and annual leave; they're about everyday quality of life. Modern talent prioritises physical health, with recent research from Reward Gateway indicating that 58% of employees place greater importance on wellbeing at work, and 84% would consider staying longer with an employer that provides strong wellbeing support.
For recruitment agencies and high-growth firms, offering premium wellbeing perks is a major differentiator. For example, wellness-focused environments are widely considered among the best office types for recruiters looking to showcase a progressive, caring company people want to work at.
Furthermore, offering fitness amenities is one of the most effective strategies for encouraging a return to the office in a hybrid world. When the office offers high-quality lifestyle amenities that employees cannot access at home, commuting becomes far more attractive.
Offering a premium workspace gym serves as a powerful recruitment tool, showing prospects that your organisation genuinely cares, both about their health and company culture.
Many professionals struggle to maintain a consistent fitness routine due to the time required to travel to an external gym before or after a long commute. One of the greatest gym benefits for employees is absolute convenience. With on-site facilities, employees can go to the gym directly from the office.
Having a high-spec facility just seconds from your desk allows you to fit in a workout during lunch, or immediately before or after work, preserving valuable evening hours for family, socialising, and rest.
While on-site gym spaces are incredibly valuable, they're only one part of the wider wellness puzzle. To truly foster a healthy culture, offices must support active commuting, enabling employees to run, walk, or cycle to work.
Historically, many professionals have avoided active travel due to two major environmental barriers: a lack of secure bike storage and a lack of high-quality showers at work.
Premium end-of-trip facilities solve this problem entirely. By providing secure cycle racks, lockers, clothing dryers, and spacious changing rooms, businesses remove the friction associated with active travel. Employees can cycle or jog into the office, safely store their gear, and freshen up in a space that feels like a boutique gym before starting their day.
Supporting employees in this way allows them to integrate fitness directly into their morning, midday, or evening routines and enjoy the profound health benefits of active commuting. A comprehensive 18-year study published in BMJ Public Health found that active commuters who cycle to work have a 47% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 20% lower risk of receiving a mental health related prescription compared to those who travel by non-active means. By providing excellent end-of-trip facilities, businesses empower their employees to choose healthier, more sustainable travel options.
At Orega, we design our flexible workspaces to support every aspect of professional performance, and physical wellbeing is at the very core of this philosophy. Across our UK portfolio, we offer outstanding fitness and end-of-trip facilities tailored to modern business needs.
If you're currently reviewing your workspace strategy, choosing modern serviced offices with comprehensive wellbeing provisions is a strategic move. When comparing serviced offices versus traditional offices, the inclusion of fully managed, premium shared amenities like gyms often makes the serviced model far more cost-effective and simpler to run.
Here are some of our standout Orega locations featuring exceptional on-site or nearby fitness facilities.
Situated in the heart of Covent Garden, our serviced offices at 80 Strand offer a truly luxurious, health-focused experience.
On-site Fitness: The building features a premium Virgin Active Gym, complete with state-of-the-art cardiovascular and strength equipment, a stunning indoor swimming pool, spa amenities, and dedicated spin studios.
Boutique Changing Facilities: Refresh after your workout or commute in premium changing facilities worthy of elite health clubs. These spaces are equipped with GHD hair straighteners, Dyson hair dryers, a complimentary towel service, and dedicated drying rooms for damp gear.
Sustainable Commuting: To support active travel, 80 Strand offers 300 secure bike racks, one of the largest cycle storage installations in the UK, alongside 500 secure lockers and 38 luxury showers.
Perfectly positioned near Moorgate and Liverpool Street, Citypoint is an iconic, wellness-led workspace designed for ultimate productivity. It's no surprise that this location is widely recognised as one of the best offices in London for forward-thinking corporate tenants.
On-site Fitness: Access a Tier 1 Nuffield Health Gym featuring comprehensive training spaces, squash courts, a swimming pool, and professional studios.
Classes and Community: Take advantage of complimentary trial fitness classes, including yoga, boxing, and high-intensity workouts, making it easy for your team to build a consistent routine together.
End-of-Trip Infrastructure: The building boasts a massive capacity for active commuters, offering 413 secure bike racks, 500 private lockers, and 38 modern showers.
Located in the prestigious Colmore Business District, the Colmore Building is oriented entirely around the health, productivity, and convenience of its occupiers.
Boutique Gym: Enjoy a fully equipped, state-of-the-art gym and a dedicated exercise and mindfulness studio, ideal for private workouts or structured yoga sessions.
Next-Level Amenity Integration: Alongside premium changing facilities, 100+ cycle storage spaces, and clothing dryers, the building offers an on-site laundry and dry-cleaning concierge, a newly extended barista café, and even an on-site GP surgery for comprehensive medical support.
Broad Gate blends workspace luxury with a vibrant, active community in the centre of Leeds.
Rooftop Fitness: Elevate your exercise routine on the stunning rooftop terrace, which hosts regular yoga and mindfulness sessions in the sunshine.
Exclusive Classes: Employees enjoy free, exclusive weekly classes every Tuesday lunchtime, featuring a rotating schedule of Pilates, yoga, Body Blast, and circuit training.
Active Commute Ready: The building offers high-capacity showers, secure lockers, clothes dryers, and indoor cycle storage equipped with dedicated bike repair and maintenance stations.
Overlooking the historic, tranquil greenery of Parsonage Gardens, Arkwright House seamlessly blends heritage architecture with contemporary wellness infrastructure.
On-site Fitness & Diagnostics: The building features a fully equipped on-site gym and fitness studio, alongside a dedicated treatment and wellness area. It's also home to BodyView Manchester, allowing employees to access advanced DEXA body composition scans, VO2 max testing, and resting metabolic rate analysis directly within the building.
Convenient Changing: Enjoy high-spec showers with a complimentary towel service, secure lockers, and secure cycle storage, making it effortless to jog at lunch or bike to the office.
For teams looking to stay active near St Paul's, our 20 Old Bailey office provides exceptional end-of-trip facilities. With 285 secure bike racks and 24 high-spec showers, it makes commuting on foot or by bike a seamless experience. Furthermore, the office is situated just steps away from local fitness destinations, including DW Fitness First, PureGym, and Gymbox.
If your business requires a premium professional environment, you'll find Lime Street makes an outstanding choice for a luxury office. Situated on the 15th floor, this location boasts an exclusive, residents-only gym and wellness facility. With private aerobic sessions and breathtaking views across the London skyline, it offers a truly sophisticated fitness experience.
Providing access to premium fitness facilities is no longer just a trend; it's a fundamental pillar of modern business success. By choosing an office that integrates gyms, outdoor wellness spaces, and high-quality end-of-trip facilities, you're actively investing in the health, focus, and retention of your most valuable asset: your people.
At Orega, our workspaces are designed for productivity, flexibility and wellbeing. From tech-enabled meeting rooms to calming breakout zones, our offices are spaces to thrive.
Whether you're scaling, launching, or shifting to a hybrid model, our spaces flex with you. Explore our offices across the UK to find the right space for your next chapter.