‘Sweatworking’ replacing traditional business lunches

Mixing business with exercise is the latest trend in the workplace. 

It's called sweatworking and it's replacing traditional business lunches with trips to the gym, a run in the park and yoga and cycling classes.

"It is much more prominent in large metropolitan areas. It is less prevalent where there is not a ton of businesses who are doing client entertainment," said Gabby Cohen, spokeswoman for SoulCycle, a New York based indoor cycling company.

Cohen said SoulCycle's location in Short Hills, New Jersey has seen a few meetings take place on the bikes.

Many, including Cohen, think the trend is here to stay.

"We have 24 hours in a day, and within that day we try to search new clients. We try to meet up with new clients face to face, which is really important in today's business. And we also want to try to exercise."

Sweatworking is attractive to businesses of all types including advertising, law and banking.

Barbara Pachter, a Cherry Hill business etiquette expert, said when deciding whether to engage in sweatworking with a client, it's important to keep the client in mind. Pachter said sweatworking isn't for everyone and many clients still prefer business lunches or golf outings.

"So it's back to being appropriate for that particular client or potential client," Pachter said. In addition, people who do business together have to be prepared to see each other in their workout clothes.