Ditch the Drinks: HIIT Workouts as the New Team-Building Trend

There’s a growing trend in the corporate sector where group exercise sessions are becoming the go-to for fostering team spirit. Employees find that breaking a sweat with coworkers creates a unique bonding experience.

Joseph Dube, an art school graduate, admitted he's not typically found lifting weights. Still, he challenged himself with a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) class alongside colleagues at KraneShares, a small investment company in New York. Exhausted but exhilarated, he finished the circuit of 45-second exercises, feeling sore yet invigorated for days. The shared struggle led to deeper connections with his teammates, as they concluded with protein shakes instead of cocktails.

KraneShares isn’t alone in this trend. Around 30 people from Woods & Co. enjoyed a company wellness day, complete with a Central Park stroll and pickleball. In Florida, fintech firm Biller Genie's founder organized a field day featuring various team games for her 80 employees.

Rising Interest in Corporate Fitness Opportunities

Fitness companies like Barry's report an uptick in corporate bookings for private classes, with reservations rising by 55% this year. Alongside public class registrations, businesses are also flying instructors to various events for corporate exercise.

F45's Nic Wilson, based in Los Angeles, mentioned a surge in interest from companies, especially in entertainment and media sectors. These companies now frequently include fitness activities in their gatherings, moving often from a single event a month to four.

According to Vicky Land from Barry's, human resources departments are noticing that workout sessions might be more appealing than traditional social gatherings. A workout guarantees personal benefits, making individuals less likely to skip it compared to an evening drink.

Building Bridges Through Shared Sweat

Working out beside colleagues, including possibly your boss, might seem unconventional, but it can deepen workplace relationships. A University of Oxford study from 2016 found that moving energetically in unison enhances interpersonal bonds.

KraneShares employees confirmed this, describing how they motivated each other through challenging exercises. Nathalie Perez, their HR associate, noted that such initiatives boost both retention and engagement, which might lead to improved company performance.

Companies embracing wellness are preparing their workforce for the future. A McKinsey survey indicated that while various generations are adopting wellness, Gen Z and Millennials are leading this shift.

Vicky Land from Barry's observed that contemporary social activities have evolved, with younger generations favoring health-focused gatherings over bars. Twenty years ago, nights out involved only food and drinks. Today, it's not unusual to find social events at fitness studios, highlighting a significant cultural shift.