Showers at work: new sports practices to improve employee well-being

At a time when corporate well-being has become an essential criterion for attracting and retaining talent, workplace showers are emerging as a pragmatic and innovative solution. Combined with sports activities integrated into the working day, they transform employee habits, reduce stress and boost productivity. From company bikes to in-house sports sessions and dedicated facilities, companies are rethinking their workplaces to reconcile performance and personal fulfillment. Discover how these facilities, often perceived as a luxury, are becoming a strategic lever for a corporate culture focused on balance and health.

Why install showers in the workplace? An investment with multiple benefits

The installation of company showers meets a growing demand from employees, particularly those who engage in physical activity before, during or after their working day. According to a recent study, 67% of employees say they would be more inclined to exercise if they could shower on site. This simple arrangement not only encourages the adoption of active modes of transport such as cycling or running, but also encourages mid-day sports breaks, which are essential for breaking the sedentary lifestyle.

Beyond their comfort, company showers help reduce absenteeism linked to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and stress. Employees who can release tension through sport and refresh themselves before returning to work are more focused, energetic and resilient. What’s more, these facilities are part of a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) approach, promoting sustainable modes of transport and improving quality of life at work.

Finally, showers are an asset toa company’s attractiveness. In a competitive job market, where candidates prefer environments that care about their well-being, these facilities become a differentiating argument. Giants such as Google and L’Oréal have understood this: their campuses systematically include areas dedicated to sport and relaxation, reinforcing their employer brand.

The corporate sports boom: when the office becomes a place for movement

Corporate sports activities are no longer limited to traditional yoga sessions in the meeting room. Today, companies are innovating by offering a variety of activities tailored to the expectations and constraints of their teams. The most striking trends include :

Le vélotaf et les mobilités douces : pédaler pour sa santé et la planète

More and more employees, particularly in urban areas, are opting for the velotaf (bike to work). To encourage them, companies are setting up secure bicycle parking facilities, repair workshops and, of course, showers. Some go even further, offering company bicycles or financial support for the purchase of an electric bike. This initiative not only reduces the carbon footprint of commuting, but also improves cardiovascular health and employee morale. An employee who arrives at the office after a 30-minute bike ride is often more relaxed and productive than one who has been stuck in traffic by car.

Les pauses actives : bouger pour mieux travailler

Active breaks are on the increase in companies seeking to combat sedentary lifestyles. Short stretching sessions , brisk walking or muscle-strengthening exercises, these moments help boost blood circulation, reduce tension and improve concentration. Companies such as Decathlon and Microsoft have made these practices part of their daily routine, with dedicated areas and available sports coaches. The advantage? These breaks don’t necessarily require a shower, but they do prepare the ground for more intense activities, such as running or cross-training, which do.

Les cours collectifs : renforcer la cohésion par le sport

There’s nothing like sport to unite teams and break down silos. Group classes – bootcamp, Zumba, boxing or Pilates – are booming in companies. Organized during lunch breaks or at the end of the day, they enable employees to challenge themselves together, create informal bonds and release endorphins, the well-being hormone. Companies such as Airbnb and Salesforce have even created in-house sports communities, where employees sign up for friendly challenges or competitions. Here, showers become an essential part of getting back to work in the best possible conditions.

How to create sports areas and showers in the workplace? Tips and best practices

Integrating showers and sports areas into a company is not something that can be improvised. Here are the key steps to making this project a success and maximizing its benefits.

Évaluer les besoins et l’espace disponible

Prior to any installation, it is essential to consult employees via surveys or participative workshops. What sports do they play? At what times of day? How many are interested in showers? These data will enable us to correctly size the spaces. For example, a company with a lot of cyclists will need more lockers and towel racks than one that focuses on yoga.

When it comes to space, you don’t always need hundreds of square meters. Modular solutions exist, such as compact shower cubicles or shared spaces with nearby gyms. The important thing is to guarantee cleanliness, privacy and accessibility for all.

Choisir des équipements durables et pratiques

For showers, choose materials that are resistant and easy to maintain: non-slip tiles, thermostatic mixer taps, wall-mounted hair dryers. Also consider eco-responsible accessories, such as refillable soap dispensers or towels made from recycled fibers. As for changing rooms, secure lockers with digital locking systems will reassure users.

For sports areas, opt for multi-purpose equipment: floor mats, resistance elastics, adjustable weights. If budget allows, a dedicated room with mirror, pull-up bars and elliptical bikes will be a real plus. Otherwise, a flexible space in an unused meeting room can do the trick, provided you add storage for your equipment.

Sensibiliser et accompagner les salariés

Even with perfect infrastructures, showers and sports areas will be useless without adoption by the teams. Organize workshops to raise awareness of the benefits of sport in the workplace, and offer free introductory courses to demystify certain activities. Involve managers by training them to encourage these practices without pressure.

Another idea is to set up a sponsorship system, whereby sports-minded employees motivate their colleagues to join them. Finally, communicate regularly on success stories and testimonials to show the positive impact of these initiatives. For example, highlight an employee who lost stress thanks to running, or a team that strengthened its cohesion through a badminton tournament.

Feedback: companies that have seized the opportunity of showers and sport

Several companies, from start-ups to major corporations, have already taken the plunge, with convincing results. Their feedback offers concrete suggestions for those who are still hesitating.

Crédit Agricole : le vélotaf et les douches pour une mobilité durable

Crédit Agricole has launched an ambitious program to promote velotafing among its 140,000 employees. In addition to covering 50% of the cost of an electric bike, the bank has equipped its branches and regional headquarters with showers and changing rooms. The result: a 30% increase in bicycle journeys in one year, and a significant drop in stress-related sick leave. Employees particularly appreciate the flexibility offered: some cycle in the morning to wake up, others in the evening to unwind.

Toyota : des pauses sportives pour booster la productivité

At Toyota France, the showers were installed as part of a wider program of active breaks. Every day, employees can take part in 15-minute stretching or muscle-strengthening sessions, supervised by a coach. Those who wish to go further have access to a fully-equipped gym, complete with showers and sauna. The carmaker has observed a 20% improvement in concentration in the afternoon, as well as a reduction in RSI thanks to these moments of movement.

Welcome to the Jungle : le sport comme pilier de la culture d’entreprise

Welcome to the Jungle, known for its innovative approach to work, has made sport a central part of its culture. Its Paris headquarters has showers, a gym and even a meditation area. Employees are encouraged to take exercise breaks, and group classes (HIIT, yoga, boxing) are organized several times a week. The result: a talent retention rate above the industry average, and a team that describes itself as “energetic and close-knit”.

Showers and sports in the workplace: what are the challenges and how can they be overcome?

Despite their many advantages, company showers and sports areas can come up against a number of obstacles. Anticipating them can help ensure the long-term success of these initiatives.

Le coût : un investissement à rentabiliser

The argument most often put forward is budget. Yet costs can be kept under control by opting for progressive solutions: start with one or two showers in existing toilets, negotiate partnerships with nearby gyms, or apply for subsidies (such as the Forfait Mobilités Durables for velotafs). A study by Malakoff Humanis shows that for every €1 invested in well-being, a company saves €2.5 in absenteeism and turnover. So the payoff is real.

L’espace : optimiser chaque mètre carré

In open spaces or cramped offices, finding space for showers can seem mission impossible. However, solutions do exist: converting an unused equipment room, creating a space under the stairs, or sharing infrastructure with other companies in the same building. By reducing the number of fixed workstations, the flex office also frees up space that can be reallocated to wellness uses. To find out more about space optimization, discover the challenges of flex office.

La réticence des salariés : changer les mentalités

Some employees may be resistant to the idea of sweating at work or sharing showers. To overcome these obstacles, focus on education: organize demonstrations, invite athletes to testify, or launch internal challenges with rewards (bonuses, days off). Show that sport at work is not just for experienced athletes, but for everyone, whatever their level.

Also, make sure that managers set a good example. A manager who participates in a yoga session or arrives by bike will send a strong signal to his or her teams. Finally, link these initiatives to concrete objectives: stress reduction, improved collaboration, or even sales performance. Employees will adhere all the more if they see a tangible benefit.

What’s next? Towards 100% sport-friendly companies

Company showers and sports areas are just the beginning. By 2025, experts predict an even greater integration of movement into the working day. Here are just a few of the ways in which this could happen:

Recovery rooms: in addition to showers, spaces equipped with nap beds, cryotherapy cabins or recovery pools could be created, inspired by sports performance centers. These facilities would help employees recharge their batteries after an intense session or a busy day.

Sports memberships included: some companies could offer their employees unlimited memberships to partner gyms, with priority access to on-site showers. A way of outsourcing infrastructures while encouraging physical activity.

Sporting “chief happiness officers”: these well-being managers could be seconded to dedicated coaches, responsible for running sessions, customizing programs and monitoring team progress. Their mission? Make sport accessible, fun and motivating for all.

The integration of data: thanks to connected bracelets or applications, companies could measure the impact of sports practices on productivity, stress or team cohesion. This data could be used to adjust programs in real time and demonstrate ROI to management.

Finally, the link between well-being and performance will only grow stronger. Companies that know how to create an ecosystem where sport, relaxation and work coexist harmoniously will be those that attract – and retain – the best talent. From this point of view, showers are not just a piece of equipment, but the symbol of a corporate culture focused on people.

To go further in designing spaces that promote well-being, explore how art and decoration can also play a key role, or discover why commuting time remains an underestimated lever of well-being at work.