A quick summary:
For decades, workplace health initiatives have focused on one-size-fits-all solutions: gym memberships. Yet the average lifecycle of a traditional gym membership on Heka is just three months. Even when employers offer subsidised memberships, only around a third are actually used. Gym memberships alone are not enough - and it certainly isn’t inclusive.
Health and wellness cover a wider area than just exercise. They include nutrition, mental wellbeing, movement variety, and, increasingly, medical support for weight management. Heka’s approach reflects this shift. We go beyond gym memberships and offer nutritional consultations, virtual fitness classes, personal training, healthy food options, fitness wearables, desk treadmills and standing desks, and guides for UK walking routes. And now, we’re partnering with medical weight loss solutions, including GLP-1 treatments.
The mental and economic toll of poor health
Health isn’t just physical - being overweight or struggling with lifestyle-related conditions takes a real toll on mental wellbeing, energy, and productivity. In fact, obesity costs the UK economy an estimated £31 billion every year in lost productivity alone. Forward-thinking businesses are recognising that investing in employee health isn’t about appearances - it’s about measurable outcomes.
Employees want support that actually works for them. Offering only a gym membership leaves many behind. As health becomes increasingly personalised, so should workplace benefits. Our data shows that with Heka, 7 in 10 users achieve their health goals within just six months, proving that holistic, tailored support delivers real results.
A shift in fitness culture
The fitness world is splitting in two: traditional gym culture on one side, and personalised, medically informed weight management on the other. GLP-1 treatments are becoming a valuable tool for those who struggle to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. These treatments help regulate appetite and can deliver meaningful health improvements, with real benefits for mental wellbeing and energy levels.
Consider the evidence from recent GLP-1 users:
- 78% report improved mood and mental wellbeing
- 62% report significantly higher energy levels
- 53% say they feel more productive at work after just a few weeks
Yet access remains limited. Most people pay over £150 per month privately, and the NHS availability is low. Employers who offer support or part-fund treatment can make a tangible difference to both health outcomes and productivity.
Holistic health is personalised health
Forward-thinking companies are expanding their offerings beyond gym passes to include:
- Personal training
- Low impact fitness options
- Nutrition coaching and consultations
- Virtual fitness and wellness classes
- Wearables and equipment for home and office use
- Medical weight management support, including GLP-1 programmes
Providing choice empowers employees to find what works for them. Whether it’s movement, nutrition, or medical support, your team deserves options that meet their unique needs.
The business case
Supporting holistic weight management is not just a health initiative - it’s a business strategy. Healthier employees are more productive, less absent, and more engaged. A modern approach to workplace wellness doesn’t just focus on the gym - it focuses on people. And when your benefits meet employees where they are, everyone wins: improved wellbeing, higher productivity, and a culture that truly supports health.
Don’t just offer benefits; make them count. Heka brings everything together - and makes employee benefits work.Get in touch to simplify your benefits with Heka.
