More than TWO MILLION employees now take a run-ch break – and exercise during their dinner hour, it emerged yesterday.
Researchers found around one in 13 workers now swap their suits for jogging gear and pound the streets for more than 40 minutes while their not-so health conscious colleagues tuck into their packed lunches.
Incredibly, the study also found people clock up around 468 miles running during their lunch breaks during the course of the year, with the sporty employees most likely to run three miles three times a week.
One fifth of all working Brits regularly exercise during their lunch hour with those that aren’t running cramming in a gym session or going for a quick swim.
The figures emerged in a study carried out by technical sportswear brand Helly Hansen who surveyed 1,500 Brits that worked out during their nine to five day.
A spokesperson from Helly Hansen said: ‘’There is a definite trend of the nation’s workforce heading out on their lunch break and working up a sweat.
‘’Hectic lifestyles or feeling too worn out at the end of an arduous day in the office means the only real option is to incorporate exercise into the day.
‘’It’s all too easy to stay slumped in your chair and not move during your lunch break, but those who venture outside work return to their desk feeling re-invigorated and ready to crack on with their workload. Therefore it’s good for our health and good for business.’’
'’But we often find that customers are put off exercising during their lunch break because they worry about getting hot and sweaty before having to return to their desks feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed by their appearance. However, making a few small changes to their clothing can make all the difference, and investing in the right technical clothing is crucial, regardless of the duration and frequency of their activity.
“Our new training range has been designed to ensure that unsightly sweat patches are a thing of the past – a godsend if you are exercising near your place of work or with your colleagues in tow. It also incorporates our innovative LIFA Stay Dry Technology and focuses heavily on style so people can bring the catwalk to the street when they are running.”
As well as running millions of Brits also fit in spin classes, power walks and even personal trainer sessions rather than eat their lunch at their desk.
Men were most likely go for a run during their lunch hour while women were more likely to do a diverse range of different activities from aerobics to pilates.
Most said it was the only chance they had to fit exercise in to their busy lives but admitted they were conscious of making sure they looked good while breaking in to a sweat in case they bumped in to colleagues.
As a result they spent an average of £105.25 a year keeping their kit up to date and making sure they had the right balance between looking good and working out in clothes that enhanced their performance.
More than half said they felt they performed better at work after burning calories in their lunch hour and that they thought it gave a good impression to their boss that they looked after their health and fitness.
While most exercised on their own nearly one in ten work out with a buddy.
Of those that exercised in their lunch break a cheeky quarter said they often take more than the hour they are supposed to while nearly half don’t bother to shower afterwards.
A spokesperson from Helly Hansen said: “Our new range incorporates a cooling system which allows for better evaporation which is particularly important if you have to return back to your desk without a shower.
“Many people still opt to exercise in cotton t-shirts or impractical gear that looks the part, but won’t keep them looking cool for long. Investing in the right clothing for their chosen activity can significantly enhance performance, and keep them looking and feeling confident when it really matters.
“In the current economic client, we have seen a trend of people swapping their expensive gym memberships in favour of outdoor activity, so it’s great to see that so many people are still determined to dedicate time to their physical wellbeing. We have been in the business of creating effective technical clothing for exercise since 1877 so we are well aware of the positive and mental effects associated with regular exercise.”
