Summer Sees Workers Fighting Fit

London - Recent government health warnings about rising levels of obesity have Brits pegged as a nation of couch potatoes.

However a recent survey by Monster found that a surprising 68% of British workers exercise at least twice a week, with 23% walking or cycling to work every day. British people, renowned for ignoring the government recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week, are often dubbed the unhealthiest in Europe, however the Monster survey seems to show that workers are exercising much more.

So are British workers confusing a walk up the office stairs with an exercise regime or are they really sweating it out to stay in shape? As the temperature soared and Brits stripped off to reveal all shapes and sizes, the Monster Meter poll asked, How often do you exercise?


45% (873 votes) more than twice a week

23% (446 votes) I walk/cycle to work every day

18% (349 votes) never

14% (270 votes) once a week


It seems that UK workers have taken advantage of the recent hot spell as nearly a quarter of those polled use their journey to work as an opportunity to get fit. However, demanding bosses and long hours can leave frazzled workers with little time to hit the gym.

Claire McKay, 33, works as a call centre manager in Glasgow. She leaves work promptly at 5.30pm and goes out running three times a week after work. I always try to leave work on time and in the summer I also play tennis with friends at a club near to my house. Iím training for a local 5k with a couple of colleagues which helps to keep me motivated - I might even start walking to work!

James Robinson, 24, lives in West London and works for an investment bank in the City. He admits he would like to do more exercise and misses playing rugby for his university team. Thereís a real culture of work hard, play hard in City finance which is more about propping up a bar than playing 5-a-side football. The only opportunity for exercise during the week is using the gym at work which is still hard to fit into a 12 hour working day.

Alan Townsend, COO for Monster UK and Ireland comments, Employers demanding early mornings and late nights from their staff should encourage exercise to show they care about the physical and mental well-being of employees. Bosses can incorporate exercise into team building and away days, and should support those staff who enter charity fun-runs and local sporting events. Likewise, workers should encourage their colleagues to exchange trips to the pub for sociable sporting team activities from time to time as it really can improve morale and motivation within the office.

Getting fit doesnít have to mean a training programme to rival Dame Kelly Holmes. In addition to walking and cycling, there are simple ways to fit exercise into a busy working week. Monsterís top tips for getting fit at work:

Take a walk at lunchtime ñ an easy way to burn extra calories

Take the stairs to your office if you work above the ground floor, as itís a great cardio workout

Get off the bus at the previous stop - walking a few extra minutes is an easy way to get into shape

Start a running club at work during your lunch hour

Use your companyís meeting rooms for group exercise such as yoga