Once upon a time, a discounted gym membership counted as a premiere workplace wellness perk. Today, however, the most innovative workplace wellness trends take place AT work. They are also markedly more defined by values of inclusion and intention.

Here are three corporate wellness trends recently highlighted by BenefitsPro.com as ones to watch in 2025:

Support for Employees Taking GLP-1 Drugs – A recent report by J.P. Morgan predicted that up to 30 million Americans (or 9 percent of the population) may be taking GLP-1 weight loss drugs by the year 2030.

Employers are recognizing the need to offer education and lifestyle coaching as a means to help workers on GLP-1 drug regimens maximize the benefits of weight loss  – one of which is better engagement at work. There’s also a growing awareness in HR departments that workers experiencing common side effects, such as fatigue and nausea, may be on the rise.

Mental Health First Aid Certification – An estimated 1 in 5 Americans report suffering from mental problems, resulting in employee burnout and lower work attendance, among other negative factors. Enter Mental Health First Aid certification, similar to CPR certification, which is described as “a skills-based education program that trains participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health challenges.” OSHA is even offering a training course suitable for HR professionals.

Also, as the stigma surrounding workplace discussions on topics like grief or substance abuse continues to fall away, expect more employees to gravitate to authentic, more raw forums for sharing struggles and offering support. The Sh**t for Brains initiative in the printing industry is a great example of this new breed of peer-to-peer mental health programs. (Shout out to Woman in Print Alliance member Jessica DeCola for launching this co-ed LinkedIn group; reach out to her to join!)

Cohort Based Fitness & Training – Can we get an amen for the “Post-Menopausal Weight Loss” group fitness class? BenefitsPro says that leading edge companies are focusing on coordinating intentional, inclusive cohort training based on age, gender, or interest level.

Whether its HIIT or Zumba classes or group training for a local half-marathon, cohort training builds community and provides safe, empathetic spaces for employees to connect and cheer on one another’s wellness journeys.

But what about the retro days of the company softball team? If that’s your jam, take heart! Workplace sports leagues are back, says Benefit Pro.

Employers are once again embracing company sports team as a means to reconnect employees (particularly in a hybrid or remote work setting), promote goal achievement, and control health risk factors associated with sedentary jobs.

Editor’s Note: What workplace wellness trends is your company embracing in the new year? We’d love to hear about these efforts and potentially feature your company in an upcoming newsletter.