Movember is an important reminder to put men's health firmly on the agenda. But while starting conversations about mental health is vital, what happens next matters just as much.
This year's campaign, Make a Growmitment, encourages men to commit to positive changes for their health, challenge a friend to get involved and build healthier habits that last.
And sometimes, the first step is simply committing to move more.
As an employer, Movember is an opportunity to move beyond awareness and encourage your people to make positive lifestyle changes. By giving your team the tools, support and encouragement to build healthier habits, fitness benefits can help turn good intentions into lasting changes that support both physical and mental wellbeing long beyond November.
One simple place to start is physical activity. Whether it's joining a gym, trying a new fitness class or building a regular exercise routine, making time for movement can have a positive impact on both physical and mental health.
As an employer, you can play an important role in helping your team turn healthy intentions into everyday habits.
We all know that making a positive lifestyle change is one thing. Sticking to it is another. That's why encouraging employees to make a longer-term commitment to fitness can be so valuable.
A 12-month gym membership, for example, encourages people to think beyond a short-term fitness resolution and make exercise part of their lifestyle. With consistency, those small decisions can lead to improved fitness, better sleep, reduced stress and greater confidence.
Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2023 found that physical activity can have a positive effect on symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress. The NHS also highlights how regular exercise can help reduce stress and improve sleep.
By making fitness more accessible through your employee benefits package, you can encourage your people to take that first step towards better mental and physical wellbeing.
Staying motivated when starting a new fitness routine can be challenging. That's why making a commitment with someone else can make all the difference.
Movember encourages men to challenge a friend to get involved, highlighting the power of shared experiences and accountability. Employers can bring this same thinking into the workplace.
Offering fitness benefits with partner discounts gives employees the opportunity to join a gym with someone they know, whether that's a partner or family member. Exercising together can make fitness more enjoyable, provide extra motivation and help turn a new activity into a lasting habit.
It can also help build stronger social connections, which play an important role in supporting mental wellbeing.
Making a commitment to better health should feel achievable and affordable.
Through GymFlex and MyGymDiscounts, Epassi UK gives employees access to discounted gym memberships at a choice of 4,800+ fitness facilities across the UK and Ireland.
From local gyms and leisure centres to swimming pools and specialist studios, employees can find activities that suit their interests, lifestyles and routines.
With 12-month membership options and partner discounts, you can encourage your workforce to make a commitment to fitness, build consistency and enjoy the journey together.
And it's not just about fitness. Through HealthiFlex and MyHealthDiscounts from Epassi UK, employees can also access discounted health and wellbeing services, including online counselling, video GP appointments, virtual physiotherapy and health assessments – all things that can contribute to committing to a healthier lifestyle.
This means you can support your people with a wider range of benefits that address both physical and mental wellbeing.
Epassi UK's Great Employee Benefits Study 2026, which surveyed 1,000 UK employees and 363 UK employers, highlights the value employees place on fitness and wellbeing benefits:
75% say fitness benefits matter when choosing an employer, yet only 41% currently have access to one.
89% of employees who use a fitness benefit say it improves their wellbeing.
84% say having access to a fitness benefit makes them feel valued by their employer.
71% say mental health counselling would be relevant to them.
The message is clear: employees value benefits that help them take practical steps towards a healthier lifestyle.
As an employer, offering accessible fitness and health benefits is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to employee wellbeing and help your people take positive action.
Better mental wellbeing doesn't happen overnight. It's built through the small, positive decisions we make every day.
As an employer, you have an opportunity to inspire those changes by making fitness more accessible, encouraging employees to stay active together and providing support that helps them build healthier habits.
With Epassi UK's discounted fitness and health benefits, you can help your people turn a Movember commitment into a lifestyle change that lasts well beyond November.
Not sure where to start? Download our guide, From talking to doing, for a practical checklist you can use with your leadership team. Download the guide →
Explore Epassi UK's discounted gym memberships through GymFlex and MyGymDiscounts, and discover how our wider health and wellbeing benefits can help your workforce feel healthier, happier and more supported. Book a call with our team to find out more.