Site workers lead the way in fitness stakes

Grant Prior 12 years ago
Share

Construction workers are among the fittest people in the country getting more than six times the amount of exercise recommended by the NHS.

The news blows apart the old myth of unhealthy builders living on a diet of bacon sandwiches and never-ending cups of tea,

A study from Direct Line for Business showed tradespeople typically exercise for 16.4 hours each week – over six times the NHS’ minimum recommendation of 2.5 hours exercise per week2.

The research shows found that 41% of builders, plumbers and carpenters complete more than ten hours of physical activity a week at work.

One in four claimed to complete more than 20 hours a week and the average for all tradespeople was 11.7 hours per week.

Construction workers also keep fit outside of work with an additional average of 4.69 hours of physical activity through working out at the gym and sport.

The research also found that Britain’s 2.8 million tradespeople have considerably healthier diets than originally thought, with only one in fourteen claiming they consistently eat more than their recommended daily allowance.

Jazz Gakhal, Head of Direct Line for Business said: “Tradespeople are helping to nurse this country’s economy back to health.

“This research shows that, despite the sometimes negative publicity that surrounds the lifestyle of tradespeople, they are actually setting a great example to the public with their active daily routines.”

Sonia Ayadi, Nutritional Therapist practitioner at Harley Health, said: “This research by Direct Line for Business is long overdue.

“As we become more aware of our diet and general health, and with the government constantly raising awareness of healthy eating (i.e. five a day fruits and vegetables), tradespeople have always been amongst the most active workers when compared to the typical office-based professional.

“Indeed tradespeople will often need support with their diet to make sure they eat enough nutritious foods to sustain their energy levels throughout the day.”

Latest news

FK Facades thrives but construction arm hit by ISG row

Dispute with failed contractor costs specialist £5.5m
19 minutes ago

Galliford Try gets go-ahead for Milton Keynes PRS tower

33-storey tower needs gateway 2 approval before work can start
18 hours ago

Lendlease Construction renamed Bovis

US private equity firm completes £35m purchase of UK contracting business and rebrands
23 hours ago

Breyer Group battles for survival as rivals circle

Housing maintenance firm fights three winding up petitions in a month
24 hours ago

Careys facing £2.4m claim by developer over demolition cartel

Giant Hong Kong developer claims it was overcharged on Lots Road Power Station job
24 hours ago

Multiplex profit drops a third as revenue rises to £780m

Spate of new orders sets contractor up for three years of work
23 hours ago

Galliford Try and Breheny land latest Sizewell C road deals

More infrastructure deals for new nuclear power station
2 days ago

Worker trapped in collapsed septic tank pit

Contractor and director fined after worker suffers multiple fractures
1 day ago

Homes England buys stalled Broad Marsh site

Demolition to finally be completed as developer hunt begins
1 day ago

Vistry go-ahead for 353 homes at Rochester Riverside

Work to start on next phase of Kent town regeneration at end of this year
2 days ago

M&E firm J S Wright collapsed owing £19m

Trade creditors hit for £11.4m by employee-owned Midlands firm
2 days ago

Right to work checks to be extended to self-employed

Government plans crackdown on illegal working and rogue employers
2 days ago

Midlands developer turns to London with £1bn resi schemes trio

SevenCapital plans 1,000 flats in Kensington, Islington and the Isle of Dogs projects
2 days ago

Deck falls off huge scissor lift at Winvic site

Two men seriously injured as platform plunges to the ground
5 days ago

Weston targets Build to Rent with new division

Weston Partnerships signs first deals with asset managers and councils
2 days ago

Bouygues seals deal for £119m Cardiff college campus

Construction to start in June on two new buildings
5 days ago

£140m cash injection to speed-up flood defence schemes

Funding part of £2.65bn investment over the next two years
2 days ago

Bid race starts for £15bn schools framework refresh

DfE throws framework open to more contractors
5 days ago

Berkeley’s £600m Borough Triangle project approved

Controversial scheme features two towers of 38 and 44-storeys
6 days ago

London Mayor calls in blocked 600-bed student scheme

Refused 20-storey London PBSA block may still be built
5 days ago

HG to build 500-bed London Stratford student scheme

Work will start later this year subject to gateway 2 safety approval
6 days ago

Arrest after pedestrian death on construction site

Tragedy during site preparation works for new Wigan car park
5 days ago

British Steel threatens closure of Scunthorpe blast furnaces

Chinese owners say sectional steel and rail supplies will be maintained
6 days ago

Planning green light for Sheffield warehouse site

Existing factories to be demolished in new scheme for Rula Developments
5 days ago

New rail property company to unlock land for 40,000 homes

First four sites released in Newcastle, Cambridge, Manchester, and Nottingham
6 days ago

Drainage specialist Subscan files administration notice

Specialist employing 131 people files court notice
6 days ago

Four win Network Rail £300m engineering design deal

Eastern region deal will include design for Northern Powerhouse Rail
6 days ago

Funding go-ahead for Banwell bypass after fresh cost hike

Galliford Try contract rises £14m to £64m after final design change
6 days ago

Graham wins Southport £75m Marine Lakes Centre

Firm replaces Kier which parted ways with backer Sefton Council
6 days ago

Chancellor unveils extra £2bn capital spend a year

Construction promised a defence dividend in military base and homes upgrade work
7 days ago

Contractor services