How to Analyze Wellness Program ROI and Participation Trends

Measuring the success of your employee wellness program goes beyond simply tracking who joined a fitness challenge or attended a seminar. To truly understand your program’s impact—and secure future support from leadership—it’s essential to analyze both return on investment (ROI) and participation trends.

1. Track the Right Metrics

Start with clear, measurable data points that align with your company’s wellness goals. These might include:

• Participation rates in challenges, screenings, and events

• Health outcomes such as reduced risk factors (BMI, blood pressure, etc.)

• Engagement metrics like repeat participation or feedback survey scores

• Organizational outcomes such as reduced absenteeism or healthcare costs

Gathering both quantitative and qualitative data provides a more complete picture of success.

2. Look for Participation Trends

Participation trends reveal the health culture within your organization. Analyze:

• Which programs attract the most engagement (e.g., team challenges vs. individual incentives)

• When employees participate most (certain seasons, days, or times of day)

• Demographic insights (departments, job roles, or locations with higher engagement)

These insights can guide future program design and communication strategies—helping you meet employees where they are.

3. Evaluate ROI Beyond Dollars

While cost savings are important, ROI in wellness also includes soft returns: improved morale, productivity, retention, and company culture. Consider using a Value on Investment (VOI) model to capture these broader impacts.

4. Share the Story

Data is powerful—but stories make it meaningful. Combine your numbers with employee testimonials, success stories, and year-over-year comparisons to show how wellness initiatives create real change.

The Takeaway: A strong analysis of ROI and participation trends helps you fine-tune your wellness strategy, strengthen leadership buy-in, and deliver meaningful results for your workforce. When done right, it transforms your wellness program from a “nice-to-have” into a strategic business advantage.

Schedule a free consultation with Kristine Keykal, CEO and Co-Owner to review your employee wellness program:

Email Kristine at kkeykal@advantagehealth.com to get started or call 612.823.4470 (select option “1”).

Let Kristine Keykal, M.P.H, co-founder of AdvantageHealth with over 25 years of experience, consult with you on your employee wellness program.

Since 2001, Minnesota-based AdvantageHealth has been delivering award-winning employee wellbeing programs and fitness center design & management throughout the U.S.