Andy Devaney
When it comes to mental health and exercise, the numbers are both promising and alarming. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of adults living with a mental health condition say physical activity helps them stay well and remain in work. Yet, only 16% manage to hit the recommended 150 minutes of exercise a week.
That’s the stark contrast revealed in Mental Health in Motion, a new report from ukactive, supported by Mind. The study shines a spotlight on the gap between motivation and reality – a gap that is costing the UK economy dearly.
With workplace sickness swallowing up 148.9 million working days a year and draining £103bn, the message is blunt: the nation can’t afford to ignore the link between mental health and exercise.
Gyms, swimming pools, and the missed opportunity
The report, based on polling more than 14,000 people since January 2024, found that more than three in five (61%) respondents with a mental health condition would join a gym or leisure centre if it were offered as an employee benefit or at a discounted rate. Compare that to 53% of people without a health condition, and the appetite for accessible activity is obvious.
For those already engaged, the benefits are clear. An overwhelming 85% of people with mental health conditions said the main reason they joined a gym, pool, or leisure facility was to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
Swimming topped the charts as the preferred activity, with 35% of those surveyed taking a dip at least once a month. The longer people stuck with their membership, the lower the reported prevalence of mental health struggles. After three years, just 13% still reported issues compared to 21% of newcomers in their first six months.
The call for action
ukactive isn’t mincing words. It wants the Government to expand the Cycle to Work scheme into a broader “Workout from Work” programme – giving employees discounted gym memberships, fitness equipment, or cycling gear. The message is simple: treat activity as essential, not a luxury.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “The findings we publish today show just how powerful physical activity is for those with mental health conditions and many say that exercise helps them manage their condition and stay in work.
“As the nation gets ready to celebrate the benefits of being active on National Fitness Day, the Government has a real opportunity to build on its commitments in its 10 Year Health Plan and its Keep Britain Working review and work in partnership with our sector.
Doing so will demonstrate that it is serious about supporting all British workers in improving their physical activity levels that can aid their physical and mental wellbeing and help them back to work.
“Simple steps, like offering discounted memberships in partnership with employers, can make physical activity feel like an everyday essential, not a luxury. That way, we can boost activity levels and help build a healthier, more economically involved population.”
Employers, industry, and the mental health battle
The survey revealed that 52% of workers with mental health conditions believe employers should provide access to fitness facilities, compared to 43% of those without health conditions. With Generation Z reporting the highest levels of mental health conditions (21%), the demand for employer-led initiatives will only grow stronger.
Sarah Watts, CEO of Alliance Leisure, which sponsored the report, said: “This important report shines a light on the vital role exercise can play in supporting workplace mental health.
“With 72% of people with mental health conditions saying that being active helps them stay in work, it’s clear that physical activity is a powerful tool for wellbeing and resilience. Yet, with only 16% meeting the recommended activity levels, there is a huge opportunity, and responsibility, for all of us to help bridge that gap.
“At Alliance Leisure, we welcome this research and are committed to working with our partners to create environments and opportunities that make physical activity more accessible, enjoyable and achievable for everyone.”
A role for government – and gyms beyond treadmills
The report also highlights that 40% of people with mental health conditions would prefer to receive treatment for short-term issues in gyms, pools, or leisure centres instead of hospitals. It suggests these places are increasingly being viewed as safe, supportive environments – not just rows of machines and chlorine-filled lanes.
Hayley Jarvis, Head of Physical Activity at Mind, said: “We know that being physically active can act as a protective factor for our wellbeing and support the management of mental health conditions. Despite these benefits, many people with mental health conditions still face barriers to accessing physical activity, particularly those experiencing financial strain. This is why Mind is calling for better support from the government for those out of work because of their mental health – this helps people to do things that make them feel better and return to work, like physical activity.
“With greater support from employers through workplace initiatives, as well as with the fitness industry delivering safe, effective and tailored sessions, we can help make physical activity more accessible to everyone with a mental health condition.”
National Fitness Day and beyond
With National Fitness Day today, Wednesday, 24 September, the report is a timely reminder that the UK’s health and economic future is tied closely to mental health and exercise.
The health and fitness sector already serves 11.5 million members nationwide, and with demand rising, the challenge now is to break down barriers – cost, access, and awareness – that keep people from taking the first step.
The evidence is there, the demand is there, and the need has never been clearer. The real question is whether the Government, employers, and industry leaders will join the dots between mental health and exercise – before the cost of doing nothing gets any higher.
