press release: BLK BOX
Gold company profile | BLK BOX
PRESS RELEASE
How office gyms are reshaping working culture
05 Mar 2026
Arne Clothing’s Office Gym / BLK BOX
Workplace culture is changing.
Across the UK, health and wellbeing are no longer viewed as optional extras. They are becoming embedded in how businesses design offices, support teams and drive performance. One of the clearest signals of this shift is the rising demand for office gyms.
New research from BLK BOX shows a significant increase in interest around workplace training facilities. Google searches for “offices with gyms” surged by 2,366% over the last year, while requests for corporate gym builds rose by nearly 60% year on year.
This is more than a trend. It reflects a fundamental rethink of what the modern workplace should provide.
From perk to performance infrastructure
For years, on site gyms were positioned as luxury perks. Today, they are being recognised as practical tools that support energy, focus and resilience.
With screen-based roles dominating and workloads intensifying, businesses are beginning to understand the impact of physical inactivity on productivity and mental health. Sedentary days, high stress levels and limited recovery time all contribute to burnout and disengagement.
Greg Bradley, founder of BLK BOX, explains: “As workloads intensify and screen-based roles continue to dominate, we’re seeing a shift away from fitness being treated as a perk, towards it being viewed as part of the infrastructure that supports energy, focus and resilience at work.”
An office gym changes behaviour. It makes movement accessible, normal and part of the working day. That shift influences culture at every level.
Embedding wellbeing into the working day
When training facilities are built into the workplace, exercise becomes convenient rather than aspirational. Employees can train before work, during lunch breaks or immediately after finishing, without adding extra travel or time pressure.
This accessibility supports:
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Improved energy and concentration
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Reduced stress levels
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Better mental clarity
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Lower absenteeism
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Stronger team cohesion
CIPD’s Health and Wellbeing at Work report found that 38% of businesses saw enhanced improvement after investing in wellbeing initiatives, while 39% reported increased employee engagement and reduced sickness absence.
At the same time, Reward Gateway data shows that 84% of employees would consider staying in a role longer if stronger mental and physical wellbeing support was available.
When wellbeing is integrated rather than encouraged from the sidelines, participation increases. Over time, that builds a culture where looking after physical and mental health is the norm.
Attracting and retaining talent
Hybrid working has changed employee expectations. People want more than salary and flexibility. They want meaningful support.
Younger workers in particular prioritise wellbeing. Reward Gateway research shows that 67% of 16 to 24 year olds and 68% of 25 to 34 year olds rank wellbeing as a key factor in employment decisions.
Office gyms are becoming a visible symbol of commitment. They demonstrate that a business understands the connection between physical health, mental resilience and sustained performance.
In competitive hiring markets, that distinction matters.
Not every business needs a full gym
While dedicated training spaces offer clear benefits, they are not the only way to reshape working culture around health.
For organisations without the space or budget for a full facility, alternative approaches can still drive impact:
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Subsidised gym memberships
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Employee Assistance Programmes
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Structured virtual training sessions
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Flexible schedules that allow time for exercise
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Team based activity challenges
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Partnerships with local fitness providers
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Quiet areas designed for recovery and mindfulness
The common thread is intent. Culture shifts when wellbeing is consistently supported, not when it is mentioned once a year.
The future of workplace performance
Office gyms are not simply about equipment. They represent a broader movement towards workplaces that actively support strength, resilience and long term health.
At BLK BOX, we believe that physical capability underpins performance in every environment. When businesses create spaces that encourage movement and recovery, they build teams that are more focused, energised and engaged.
As demand continues to grow, one thing is clear. Working culture is evolving, and wellbeing is becoming part of its foundation.
For more information about BLK BOX download our corporate brochure.
More press releases and updates from BLK BOX:
When brothers Patrick and Kevin first approached BLK BOX, they had a vision and an unusual
space. Beneath a building in Embrach, Switzerland, sat an underground facility with huge
potential. What it needed was the right layout, the right equipment, and a partner who
understood functional fitness.
BLK BOX is proud to welcome Timo Garrels as Germany country manager, marking another
important step in the brand’s continued growth across Europe.
BLK BOX is proud to announce our partnership with Fitness Park, our first major official
French partner and a landmark moment in bringing BLK BOX training environments to one of
Europe's most dynamic fitness networks.
Early in Thomas Ramos' career, better meant proving he belonged.
Weight training, cardio, Hyrox preparation, group classes and powerlifting all come together
at Fitness Park Malakoff, a modern, spacious facility built for members who train with
purpose.
BLK BOX: news from HCMmag.com and FitTechGlobal.com
BLK BOX Fusion Flooring has been designed to meet the needs of commercial fitness and
wellness centres.
The BLK BOX team is thrilled to unveil its design and construction work on the brand-new
Cardiff Metropolitan University's Archers Performance Centre.
BLK BOX: featured in HCM and Fit Tech magazines
Sponsored: BLK BOX – Reshaping strength
Greg Bradley looks at the shift towards strength training in gyms and advises on how operators can create the ultimate training environment
Specifier: Making space
Designing multi-functional
spaces can lead to
fewer bottlenecks at
peak times. Julie Cramer
investigates the latest kit
and inspiring installations
Specifier: Strong foundations
Julie Cramer highlights
recent health club flooring
upgrades, as top suppliers
give their advice
Promotion: BLK BOX
BLK BOX has been reimagining elite performance
spaces for more than a decade. Founder and
former athlete, Greg Bradley, tells us what it takes
Sponsored: BLK BOX – Strong Foundations
Dan Savin from BLK BOX, explains how health club operators can build the right foundations for a show-stopping floor
Strength: Strong moves
The world of strength training is evolving at a rapid
pace, driven by robust consumer demand. Juile Cramer
speaks to suppliers about their latest launches
BLK BOX
Tel: 028 9045 4123
Email: [email protected]
Address:
4 Cloughfern Ave,
Newtownabbey ,
Antrim,
BT37 0UB,
United Kingdom
Gregory Bradley, sales director
BLK BOX video gallery:
Key personnel
Ben Stocks, managing director
Gregory Bradley, founder/sales director
Miles Canning, marketing director
Gregory Bradley, founder/sales director
Miles Canning, marketing director
Key customers
• Nike,
• Loughborough University,
• Irish Rugby,
• REPRESENT,
• Corinthia Hotels,
• PureGym, and
• Gymbox.
• Loughborough University,
• Irish Rugby,
• REPRESENT,
• Corinthia Hotels,
• PureGym, and
• Gymbox.
Plans for the next 12 months
Our product development is driven by
real-world insights from athletes, coaches,
and operators. The launch of our 1, 3, 5
Series rigs and racks marks a significant
step forward - offering scalable, futureproofed
solutions for facilities of all sizes.
Our commitment to operational excellence ensures we meet the highest standards for our clients. We consistently deliver industry-leading production times, support, and service.
As we grow our business, we will sustainably expand our manufacturing footprint and resources. Our priority is to ensure responsible practices in our manufacturing processes, aligning with our commitment to a more sustainable future.
Our commitment to operational excellence ensures we meet the highest standards for our clients. We consistently deliver industry-leading production times, support, and service.
As we grow our business, we will sustainably expand our manufacturing footprint and resources. Our priority is to ensure responsible practices in our manufacturing processes, aligning with our commitment to a more sustainable future.
Testimonial
NIKE – London HQ
"This new location is an amazing environment, with plans to positively impact the community way beyond its perimeter walls. This new strength and conditioning studio will play a pivotal role in supporting this dream.
Working with Miles Canning, Gregory Bradley, and the rest of the BLK BOX team was an absolute joy, and I'm super proud of the legacy that we have left for Nike athletes and, of course, our local London communities, who deserve a premium space to get inspired and work out in."
– Bex Moorhouse, workplace design & connectivity director, Nike
"This new location is an amazing environment, with plans to positively impact the community way beyond its perimeter walls. This new strength and conditioning studio will play a pivotal role in supporting this dream.
Working with Miles Canning, Gregory Bradley, and the rest of the BLK BOX team was an absolute joy, and I'm super proud of the legacy that we have left for Nike athletes and, of course, our local London communities, who deserve a premium space to get inspired and work out in."
– Bex Moorhouse, workplace design & connectivity director, Nike
Testimonial
PUREGYM
"We believe our ongoing partnership with BLK BOX helps us further distinguish our offering in the global market. We have a very clear plan to deliver growth, and we believe our partnership with BLK BOX will help us achieve our aims.
We were very impressed with the functional training zone concept that BLK BOX collaborated with us on, and we are keen on building upon the partnership so we can continue to evolve our product offering for our members."
– Richard Annetts, head of gym format & equipment, PureGym
"We believe our ongoing partnership with BLK BOX helps us further distinguish our offering in the global market. We have a very clear plan to deliver growth, and we believe our partnership with BLK BOX will help us achieve our aims.
We were very impressed with the functional training zone concept that BLK BOX collaborated with us on, and we are keen on building upon the partnership so we can continue to evolve our product offering for our members."
– Richard Annetts, head of gym format & equipment, PureGym
Testimonial
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
"For Powerbase, we aimed to collaborate with specialists in various areas, and BLK BOX emerged as the clear choice in the tender process for several reasons. Their extensive expertise in the performance market, coupled with their ability to glean insights from their work in other sectors, greatly benefits us.
While we were confident in our needs for the facility, partnering with a team that offered solutions and an agile engineering approach proved pivotal. We have tangible examples of innovation and collaboration in this facility, such as tailored accessible storage solutions designed to accommodate the mezzanine's pillars.”
– Rich Ellis, head of gyms and technical relationships, Loughborough University
"For Powerbase, we aimed to collaborate with specialists in various areas, and BLK BOX emerged as the clear choice in the tender process for several reasons. Their extensive expertise in the performance market, coupled with their ability to glean insights from their work in other sectors, greatly benefits us.
While we were confident in our needs for the facility, partnering with a team that offered solutions and an agile engineering approach proved pivotal. We have tangible examples of innovation and collaboration in this facility, such as tailored accessible storage solutions designed to accommodate the mezzanine's pillars.”
– Rich Ellis, head of gyms and technical relationships, Loughborough University
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