COMMENT While you might have missed out on tickets to see team GB compete at the Paris Olympics, there are still plenty of opportunities to get in on sporting action closer to home – or, rather, closer to work.
Yoga studios, running clubs and end-of-trip cycling facilities are becoming part and parcel of today’s workplaces, but some more unusual recent London initiatives stand out as gold-medal examples. The AHMM-designed White Collar Factory in Shoreditch gives employees access to an impressive 150m rooftop running track, while Design District, on the Greenwich Peninsula, has seen the addition of a new rooftop basketball court, giving workers a way to take in views of the city as they get sporty during breaks and after work.
Let’s get physical
By offering facilities that encourage physical activity, the modern office can be a hub for wellbeing. This shift is not just a trend, but a necessary evolution in how we view the workplace. With 84% of the UK population living in cities, the urban environment has a pivotal role to play in facilitating and inspiring sporting activity. Developers need to be more creative about how sport is embedded into the nine-to-five routine.
The average British worker spends three-quarters of the working day sitting at a desk. Accepting this, it is crucial that the office environment supports, rather than detracts from, employee health. A sedentary lifestyle, often exacerbated by desk jobs, is linked to numerous health issues, including obesity, cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders. Incorporating sports and wellness facilities into the workplace is not just a perk – it’s a strategic move to combat these issues.
Business benefits
The benefits of physical activity on health are well-documented. Regular exercise is proven to boost overall wellbeing. However, integrating sporting facilities into offices can also have a positive impact on productivity and business growth, making this approach a win-win for employers and workers alike.
A body of research has shown that exercise can enhance cognitive function, improve concentration and even enhance creativity. Meanwhile, taking part in sporting activities with colleagues can encourage social interaction and teambuilding. One of our own reports, Market Cycles II (2022), found that cycling to work can significantly improve physical health and reduce stress levels.
Integrating activity
The key is finding effective ways to integrate opportunities for physical activity – from apps and networking events to clever design solutions. Brookfield Properties, which owns and operates a significant proportion of the City of London’s office buildings, has introduced a tenant engagement app, Activated, which gives occupiers access to a range of wellbeing and sporting programmes. These events have been found to foster a new sense of community among co-workers, with 93% of users saying the programme adds value to their workday.
Slightly more left-field, the Edge office building in Amsterdam has introduced a meeting room with a 10-by-12-foot moving-carpet treadmill, perhaps unsurprisingly known as “the Walking Room”.
We know that these kinds of initiatives are popular. A recent survey revealed that 38% of British citizens are more likely to apply for a job that has exercise benefits, rising to 53% among Gen Z. So, to compete for talent, UK workplaces must adopt what we might call a more “active mindset”, offering sports and wellbeing facilities that inspire employees to lead healthier, more active lives.
The Olympic Games may take place only every four years, but the spirit of competition and health can thrive every day in our workplaces.
Richard Kauntze is chief executive of the British Council for Offices
