The Zero-Sum Game That Is Corporate Wellness

A zero-sum game in corporate wellness benefits large corporations and traditional gym chains while failing employees and small businesses. Gym Force is committed to a positive-sum solution that includes independently owned gyms to ensure mutual benefits for employees, employers, and gyms. These local gyms provide personalized services, higher retention rates, and cost-effective preventive care, making them essential for a truly inclusive wellness initiative. By connecting small businesses with independently owned gyms nationwide, Gym Force aims to improve employee health, reduce healthcare costs, and create a sustainable, win-win corporate wellness model.

A Zero-Sum Game in Corporate Wellness

A zero-sum game is a situation where one party’s gain comes at the direct expense of another. If one wins, another must lose. In corporate wellness, this dynamic plays out in a way that may benefit a few large corporations and traditional gym chains while failing the people it’s meant to serve: the employees. There also has yet to be a solution that addresses the needs of our vast small business community - our nation's largest employer and lifeblood of our economy. We believe there is no positive-sum solution to this problem at scale that does not include the tens of thousands of independently owned gyms at the heart of our mission.

Gym Force's Vision

At Gym Force, our vision must have a positive impact on all parties involved. A true wellness initiative cannot be a zero-sum game; it must work for employees, employers, and gyms alike. It must appeal to the entirety of the workforce and provide the necessary accommodations and support. If an employee is reimbursed for a gym membership that they do not use, the gym wins, but both the employee and employer lose. This is exactly how most programs currently operate. At Gym Force, we intend to ensure a positive-sum outcome for everyone involved.

The Role of Independently Owned Gyms

Independently owned gyms, such as CrossFit boxes, yoga studios, martial arts schools, and functional fitness centers, offer unique advantages that address gaps in corporate wellness programs.

Key Advantages

• Personalized Services: These gyms provide tailored fitness plans that cater to diverse age groups and ability levels, leading to better long-term health outcomes.
• Scalable Solutions: Independent gyms are embedded in communities across America, serving both large cities and small towns alike.
• Retention Rates: 80%.
• Long-term Health Improvements: 40% better than generic programs.
• Community Engagement: Local gyms foster a sense of community and accountability, which enhances participation and adherence.
• Cost Efficiency: Preventive care offered by these gyms can reduce healthcare costs by up to 30% over time.

Opportunity for Small Businesses

Small businesses often struggle to access comprehensive wellness programs due to high costs and limited options. Also, these businesses aren’t just concentrated in city centers or major metropolitan areas; they’re spread across the country and located directly in the communities they serve. The only solution must include the thousands of similarly located independently owned gyms across the country. That is exactly what Gym Force is building.

Potential Impact

Employee Health

• Increased participation in fitness programs could reduce chronic disease prevalence by up to 20%.
• Improved physical and mental health could decrease absenteeism by 15% and boost productivity by an additional 10%.

Cost Savings

• A 10% increase in gym participation could result in an additional 5% reduction in healthcare costs, saving billions annually.

Scaling the Network

Gym Force is building a centralized platform that connects small businesses with thousands of independently owned gyms across the U.S., offering:

• A positive-sum solution for all parties involved
• A collaborative process to facilitate participation
• Quality assurance of participating gyms
• Data tracking and analytics to measure effectiveness

Conclusion

Corporate wellness has been a zero-sum game for too long. One where gyms profit from unused memberships, employees remain disengaged, and employers see no real return on investment. Gym Force is committed to changing that by creating a positive-sum solution where everyone wins. To do this, we will incentivize employee participation and ensure engagement. We will also continuously expand our offerings to meet the needs of an evolving workforce. We will track results and improve participation and adherence, not just for compliance, but to ultimately create a workplace culture that values fitness and health. We will continue to grow our network of employers and gyms, creating strength in numbers. The gyms will benefit by growing their communities and supporting nearby small businesses. Small businesses will benefit from reduced healthcare costs, sick days, and other health-related expenses. If something works, we’ll do it better. If it doesn’t, we’ll stop. We will innovate, iterate, and do whatever it takes. In some games, there are winners and losers. In the game that we're playing, everybody wins.