Although workers at midsize firms say they are healthier and more productive when they participate in wellness programs, most do not have access to the types of wellness benefits they would like to receive from their employers, a new survey has found.

The top four wellness benefits most workers at middle-market firms would like their employers to offer are fitness center discounts (25%), on-site preventive screenings (22%), access to wellness experts such as nutritionists (21%) and on-site fitness facilities (19%), according to the survey, conducted by the Des Moines, Iowa-based Principal Financial Group.

However, the top four wellness benefits offered by employers are online wellness information (19%), educational tools or resources (18%), and printed information and fitness center discounts (17%).

“As Americans become more involved in their own health, they want new ways to improve their health while at work, as evidenced by their increasing demand for health coaches and preventive screenings,” said Lee Dukes, president of Principal Wellness Co., a subsidiary of the Principal Financial Group, in a statement.

Moreover, “Americans’ increasing sense of personal responsibility for their physical well-being leads to workers showing up to work and staying productive while there,” he said in the statement. “Employers who embrace a culture of wellness in their workplaces can benefit in return with not only costs savings, but healthier and more-engaged employees.”

Better overall health top benefit

Forty-five percent of workers chose better overall physical health as the top benefit of participating in a wellness program. In addition, 55% of workers responding to the survey rated wellness activities offered by an employer as very successful or somewhat successful in improving health and reducing health risks.

The survey, which included responses from 1,121 active employees and 533 retirees of businesses with between 10 and 1,000 employees, was conducted in October by Harris Interactive.

The complete findings of the Principal Financial Well-Being Index, which is conducted quarterly, are available at www.principal.com.