Sign up, show up and glow up this National Fitness Day
The only bad workout is the one that didn't happen!
To celebrate National Fitness Day, we look at what the event is all about and provide some key tips and tricks for beginners looking to get started on their fitness journey.
Thinking about getting into fitness but not sure where to start?
You’re not alone! In fact, with National Fitness Day right around the corner, we want to encourage as many employees as possible to try something new and find a workout that suits them this September.
And the good news? Fitness doesn’t have to mean running 100m in 10 seconds flat or being able to successfully negotiate a triathlon.
You don’t need to run a marathon, lift heavy weights or even break a sweat to start your own journey. It can be as simple as taking a longer walk in the great outdoors, enjoying some light stretching during your lunch break, or even choosing the stairs over the lift once in a while (bonus points if you don’t regret it halfway up).
Whether you’re a total beginner or just looking to improve your fitness and/or mental health, we want to help employees take that all-important first step – with tips and tricks that don’t require Lycra or a Rocky-style montage (although we recommend working out to Eye of the Tiger like Sly Stallone did – it’s a classic).
And remember, if you’re an employer / HR Hero – encouraging your team to move more isn’t just about health — it’s about boosting energy, focus, mood, and even collaboration. A little movement can go a long way in creating a happier, more engaged workplace.
What is National Fitness Day?
National Fitness Day is like a giant group high-five for health and fitness across the UK!
An annual campaign led by ukactive, it highlights the role that physical activity plays across the UK, helping to raise awareness of its importance in supporting us to lead healthier lifestyles.
Taking place on Wednesday 24th September this year, it’s a celebration of movement in all its forms — from relaxed gym sessions, yoga classes and lunchtime strolls to spontaneous office star jumps (yes, really).
The goal? To get everyone moving — whether you're a seasoned gym-goer, a lunchtime walker, or someone who thinks stretching to reach the remote counts as cardio (no judgement).
It’s all about celebrating the power of physical activity to boost your mind, your mood, your energy and your productivity. So, whether you're lifting weights or lifting your coffee cup between Zoom calls — every move counts!
This year’s tagline, “Powered by you!” marks a fresh direction — placing you at the heart of the movement. National Fitness Day isn’t just about one day of activity, but about taking small, lasting steps toward a healthier, stronger future.
The benefits of encouraging employees to exercise
Forget the days of free fruit and pool tables being the cornerstone of your wellbeing offering, the one-size-fits-all approach to employee benefits is long gone.
Today’s employees demand benefits that genuinely support their work/life balance. Nowadays, it’s all about personalised offerings, which in turn help employers to boost talent attraction and retention.
And which benefit sits at the top of the tree when it comes to demand? You guessed it. Fitness!
According to our Great Employee Benefits Study 2025, 62% of UK employees say fitness benefits influence whether they take or stay in a job.
When a company offers fitness support, it sends a powerful message: We see you as a whole person, not just a job title. And that message sticks.
As well as talent attraction and retention, encouraging employees to be active can also improve productivity.
Consider this: when an employee takes ten minutes for a brisk walk or a lunchtime yoga session, that’s not time lost. It’s a strategic mental reset. Over time, this leads to better decision-making, reduced presenteeism, absenteeism and it improves morale.
So don't miss out, encourage your employee to get active this National Fitness Day.
