Employees want flexibility for exercising – even during working hours

Employee wellbeing and efficiency go hand in hand. Exercise is an important part of the lives of working-age individuals due to its numerous physical and mental health benefits. Additionally, supporting employees' opportunities for physical activity also benefits companies.

According to our Virike partner Elixia's 'Exercise trends 2026' report, employees' desire to be active during the workday is clearly on the rise. In addition to the flexibility of work arrangements, employees now expect support for exercise – even during working hours.

Lack of time is perceived as a major challenge

Although the importance of exercise is well-known, many employees struggle with a lack of time. This leads to decreased physical activity, as a busy work rhythm takes away time and energy from days.

Nonetheless, engaging in exercise remains crucial. In Elixia's report, 47 % of respondents state that training helps them manage stress more effectively than other leisure activities. The role of exercise in stress management is particularly emphasized among women.

Exercise is much more than just physical activity – it is an essential building block of mental wellbeing. It provides an opportunity to disconnect from daily pressures, which helps improve mood, clarify thoughts, and promote the release of endorphins. 82 % of respondents in the report indicate that exercise is beneficial for their mental health.

Exercise supports employees' productivity and reduces sick leaves – thus it's beneficial for companies

The benefits of exercise for work performance are clear: it maintains work capacity, reduces stress, improves vitality and productivity, decreases sick leave, enhances sleep quality, and strengthens both mental and physical wellbeing. In Elixia's 'Exercise trends 2026' report, as many as 39 % of Finns believe that regular exercise improves their performance in work tasks.

With so much time spent at work, the workplace plays a significant role in motivating employees to be active. Supporting exercise is a choice that enhances both the employer's image and the employees' work capacity. Sedentary work is taxing on the body, but regular exercise helps to rejuvenate and strengthen muscles and improve circulation, thereby enhancing stamina at work. Even those engaged in physical labor need exercise that counters the strain, promoting muscle flexibility and boosting blood flow.

Supporting physical activity is also financially beneficial for companies. Regular exercise is reflected at the workplace in the form of reduced sick leave. Employees who exercise regularly experience fewer sick leaves than their sedentary colleagues, leading to lower occupational health costs and thus benefiting the employer.

Increasing amount of employees wish to include exercise in their workday

There is a noticeable trend in how people want to integrate exercise into their daily lives. According to Elixia's report, as many as 65 % of Finns believe that having the opportunity to exercise during the workday would improve their productivity at work. Additionally, one in two would like to engage in more exercise during work hours. This trend is evident across all Nordic countries, but Finland has the highest number. A survey conducted by Yle already in January 2024 indicated that over 16,100 Finns reported they would use the opportunity to engage in physical activity during the workday if it were offered to them.

This reflects a clear shift in employee expectations: exercise is no longer just a leisure activity, nor is workday physical activity a rare convenience. Health and wellbeing are essential components of today’s work culture. Engaging in exercise during work hours is a competitive advantage that enhances employee satisfaction and the employer’s image. The opportunity for flexible physical activity during workdays, combined with increasingly popular wellbeing benefits, will likely provide a competitive advantage in the future for companies that offer them.

There are many flexible options for incorporating exercise into work hours. These include joint gym workouts with colleagues, adding physical activities as part of team days, using break exercise apps (e.g., our Virike partner Cuckoo), utilizing digital workout apps during breaks (e.g., our Virike partner FeelHobby), and introducing wellbeing hours.