To attract and retain top talent, research suggests someemployers are spending more dollars on richer benefits in lieu ofhigher salaries.

A Society of Human Resource Management survey of 450 employersfound 35% cited having larger benefits packages in 2015, comparedto 28% the year before. This year, these enhanced packagesinclude the rise of new benefits such as company-provided fitnesstrackers as well as more group fitness classes. According to SHRM,17% of employers offer on-site corporate fitness classes, up from14% the year before. Thirteen percent of employers reportedoffering fitness trackers in 2015.

Keeping group fitness fresh

Specialty group exercise classes can be a great tool to keepfitness fresh and create stickiness with employees to pull themback to the fitness center. At corporate fitness sites foremployers across the U.S., popular group exercise classes evolveover time. Pilates, cycling, yoga and Zumba can be part of atypical rotation used to engage employees in improved personalhealth, but the roster of group exercise classes rarely endsthere.

Many corporate fitness sites also offer unique specialty classesto spark and sustain healthy activity. These classes vary in length— some are 30 minutes; others last 90+ minutes—and some are one-dayevents, while others last weeks or months.

Finding the right mix

To identify the right mix of corporate fitness classes for anemployee population, there are several key initialconsiderations.

First, it's important to know how to deliver classes in the waysthat members need them. For some employers, this means offering avariety of short, 20-minute classes during the lunch hour fortime-strapped office workers. Other employers focus heavily onproviding before- and after-work classes, as these are high-demandtimes when many employees participate.

Second, there should be something for everyone, at every levelof fitness. For example, a biotechnology employer with a24,000-square-foot fitness center would offer 91 different aerobicsclasses each week, ranging from kettlebells to kickboxing and more.Thanks to these tailored approaches, 73% of the 9,200 employees atthis site are members and 43% of the membership participates six ormore times per month.

And third, keep in mind that cost-effective delivery of programsis essential to ensure accessibility. When group exercise classesare offered at employer sites, some could be free while a specialtyclass could be as low as $12 per session for members or $20 fornon-members.

As an additional perk, when a corporate fitness center doesoffer the right mix of specialty classes, it can pave an inroadwith non-members, luring them into the center to experience howgreat it feels to be fit at the workplace.

Based on employee demographics and interests, here are sevenexamples of trending specialty classes that employees love rightnow:

1-HulaHoop

This retro toy has resurfaced as a popular new way to enjoyexercise. Hula hooping combines elements of dance and fitness toimprove coordination, balance, rhythm, strength and flexibility.Hula hoops are provided for this six-week class.

2-KangooJumps

Kangoo Jumps use low-impact rebound boots that decrease impactduring cardio activities by up to 80 %. During the six-week class,students wear these boots to bounce, hop, skip and jump, whiledoing leg lifts, squats and dance moves choreographed to energetictunes.

3-Thai YogaBodyWork

In this class, an instructor guides participants through yogapostures with hands-on assistance while massaging muscles andworking along the body's energy lines and pressure points. Theresult is a comprehensive full body treatment that leavesparticipants feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

4-Muay ThaiBoxing

Muay Thai Boxing is similar to regular boxing but with theaddition of kicks, knee and elbow strikes, and various clinchingtechniques. The eight-week class includes boxing gloves.

5-BalletBarre

Ballet Barre is a low-impact, full-body workout that combinesballet and Pilates-style movements. Designed to build long, lean,toned muscles, this four-week class is a fun, challenging fusion offitness and dance.

6. Weeks to BetterPosture

This series uses strength and flexibility exercises tostrengthen abdominal and back muscles, develop pelvic stability andbuild abdominal control. Participants create a mind/body awarenessthrough focused, slow, careful and controlled exercises thatimprove posture.

7. FoamRolling

This class creates deep dynamic strength and core support whilereleasing tight, painful areas of the body. Participants learn howto provide their own muscle relief and decrease muscular soreness.The four-week class includes the foam roller.