fit20 boosts employee
benefits in Devon
fit20 Exeter is at the forefront of improving employee benefits in Devon by giving local companies the ability to offer strength training sessions to staff. This innovative move is already working well for one forward-thinking local business and others are sure to follow. In this way fit20 Exeter is taking a lead that other fit20 studios in the UK can follow.
It’s encouraging to see that employers are now offering fit20 as part of their staff welfare schemes. Duncan Attwood of fit20 Exeter has set the bar with this by offering unique employee benefits in Devon through his Honiton Road studio, plus he has plans to open fit20 Torquay in 2024.
Duncan shares how his first programme to reward and incentivise staff developed: 'One of our long-standing members, Janet Sawyer (MBE, BEM) realised the huge difference strength training can make in one’s personal life and decided to extend these benefits to her team at LittlePod.
We look forward to making a positive contribution to the community.
'When Janet started with us in 2019, we soon helped her overcome her aches and pains but then during Lockdown they all came back again. She literally couldn’t wait to get back to her weekly 20-minute slot and after the pandemic decided to share the experience with her employees.
Janet is the founder and managing director of LittlePod an award-winning Devon company that provides ethically sourced vanilla, chocolate and coffee products. The company has now provided fit20 strength training as an employee benefit for four years and she is ‘over the moon’ with the difference it has made.
Janet was recently at Buckingham Palace to receive the company’s latest recognition – LittlePod was one of the first companies to with the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. She is a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) which is given to people whose work has made them known nationally in their chosen area. In Janet’s case this was for ‘Exports, International Trade and Sustainable Development’. She also has a British Empire Medal. (BEM) recognising her contribution to 'Employment and culture in East Devon'
Find out about Janet’s fit20 journey by reading: Customer Story of Janet Sawyer MBE BEM
How fit20 Exeter redefines employee benefits in Devon and beyond
Many companies offer gym memberships for their staff, but fit20 strength training offers so much more. It provides an excellent incentive especially when your team discovers the benefits of fit20 for themselves. These include increased personal wellbeing, enhanced physical and mental health, stress reduction, more energy, ability to breathe better, renewed mobility and flexibility.
You don’t have to be an award-winning company like LittlePods to participate in fit20’s employee welfare scheme although it may help you achieve this objective as well!
'Several of our business clients pay for their fit20 membership through their company,' Duncan notes. 'However, one needs to consider Government guidelines on this as HMRC may regard it as a benefit in kind that doesn’t qualify for tax relief.'
Even so, this is something to consider if you live in Devon, own a company and want to take advantage of strength training from fit20. A reduced rate is available to corporate clients who pay for the training of their team in advance.
So how has the training impacted LittlePods? According to Janet it has significantly increased productivity and reduced absenteeism. She finds her team are much fitter and healthier. The result is that they are more motivated and loyal which is a win-win situation for any company and the people who work in it.
It's amazing to consider how much can be accomplished in one weekly session of 20 minutes. In fact, LittlePod lets staff members attend their session during work time as an additional benefit.
'We appreciate all the support we receive from the fit20 Exeter team,' Janet says. 'Two of our team members have already completed 100 sessions! We’re grateful to Duncan, Pete and Kam for keeping us fit and healthy. LittlePod loves Fit20 Exeter!'
Why consider a fit20 employee benefit scheme?
'The main thing is that it shows you really care about your team, their health and wellbeing', says Duncan. 'And we offer guaranteed results! Our clients can expect to increase their strength by 30 to 50% in the first year of training, so, there's no reason why people wouldn't want to try it out.'
Many businesses offer warranties, however, not in the fitness industry, so fit20 is taking the lead in this. There are also many benefits to the training that vary from person to person. For some people it may be reducing blood pressure; for others it’s about limiting the effects of diabetes. Plus, many find fit20 helps them deal with stress and anxiety.
'Research indicates that physical exercise increases the circulation of myokines within the bloodstream which has a positive effect on the brain,' Duncan continues. 'Specifically, Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factors (BDNF) are released that improve neuropathways within the brain thereby enhancing mood. This is good for mental health.
We have members, who have struggled with depression, but found they can either reduce or stop their medication. This is because our training places significant physiological stress on the body. The mind can’t really differentiate between mental and physical strength, so it gets better at coping with both!'
In conclusion, fit20 Exeter is redefining employee benefits in Devon that deliver staff members who are more healthy, less likely to be off sick and who have greater mental clarity. This fosters a more effective workforce and increased productivity which is highly beneficial.
fit20 at work
Looking to the future, Duncan is excited about a service fit20 offers in the Netherlands that he hopes to bring to Exeter, which will further redefine employee benefits in Devon.
'In Holland, fit20 has a successful model called ‘fit20 at work’. This is where a large company decides to have a fit20 studio on its premises to serve the entire workforce. This is a huge morale booster that delivers the benefits already mentioned, however this is achieved in a way that offers significant cost savings. The company can purchase the equipment outright so all they need to pay for is the ongoing training fees. This can also be an income-generator for a corporation as it can open up its onsite studio to external clients afterhours.'
Funnily enough, Duncan has already had the opportunity to explore this concept for the UK. It's never been done here before, but perhaps it’s only a matter of time. 'Prior to Lockdown I was in negotiations with a local corporation who had asked if we could train 150 members of its staff', he says. 'I realised it would be a challenge but was up to making it work! I’d already arranged for fit20 head office to provide additional trainers. The company was delighted, but then Lockdown hit and unfortunately, they have never returned to the office. Perhaps they will reconsider when they tire of working from home!'
10 January 2024
