The UK Parliament’s Fit for Office challenge has stormed back onto the scene, with a record 207 movers and shakers from 50 Parliamentary offices eager to show that lawmakers can indeed lace up their trainers and break a sweat.
In a display fit for the House of Commons highlight reel, politicians and staffers are uniting this month to champion workplace wellbeing and make physical activity a cornerstone of government life.
Organised by ukactive—Britain’s leading voice for the physical activity sector—and powered by the innovative fitness tracking from Myzone, this friendly contest starts on 1 March and runs for the entire month.
Much like a rigorous round at Royal Troon (if you’ll indulge a golf analogy), the challenge encourages participants to step up their game daily, all while setting an example of healthy living for the public back home.
Bigger Numbers, Bigger Buzz
This year’s sign-up tally has gone through the roof. A grand total of 207 competitors have thrown their hats (and sweatbands) into the ring—well above last year’s 146 entrants. Each participant will use a Myzone MZ-Switch heart rate monitor or their trusty Apple or Android smartwatch to collect Myzone Effort Points (MEPs).
Every minute of exercise counts and all those hard-earned MEPs roll up into office-wide totals on a live leaderboard.
At the end of the month, the best-performing office and the most active MP will bask in the spotlight as Westminster’s Physical Activity Champions.
If past results are anything to go by, the competition will be fierce. Last year, Conservative MP Andrew Lewer’s office claimed top honours with a haul of 18,076 MEPs, while Labour MP Alex Davies-Jones took the individual crown with 10,674 MEPs.
Alex Davies-Jones MP said: “I was so proud to take part in (and win!!) ukactive’s ‘Fit for Office’ last year. It did wonders for my mental health, helped me have a daily activity goal and pushed me to explore some old favourite walks in Pontypridd.”
Leaders on the Move
According to Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, the new Government’s slate of MPs, Peers, and staffers seems raring to go: “With a new Government in place, we’re seeing many new MPs, Peers and staffers taking on the Fit for Office challenge, with a record number of entrants.
“This friendly competition provides a perfect opportunity for those in Government to demonstrate their commitment to physical activity but is also a timely reminder of the value it can bring to their own lives and its importance among the communities they serve.
“Our nation’s health is a growing concern and we hope that this challenge will help our politicians to appreciate the significance of inspiring more people to be active and the benefits this will have not only on our wellbeing but also for the NHS and the economy.”
Meanwhile, Jay Worthy, Group CEO of Myzone, is quick to point out the inclusivity of the system: “This challenge shines a light on how important it is to incorporate moderate physical activity into daily life.
Myzone rewards effort rather than ability alone, meaning everyone is able to compete on an even playing field.
This challenge will not be won by the fittest individuals or teams, it will be won by those who put in the most effort across the month of the challenge.
“By engaging politicians and encouraging them to personally experience the many benefits of being active we make a compelling case for the critical role physical activity plays in maintaining both physical and mental health, helping to inspire all of us to lead healthier, more active lives.”
Join the Action
For more details or to sign up for the UK Parliament’s Fit for Office challenge, email: [email protected].
Ready to nudge your local MP onto the treadmill? We’ve got a handy template email to help you convince them to take part.
You can also support the cause by sharing your own active exploits on social media using #FitForOffice, or by checking out our social media templates.
So there you have it, guys: a once-a-year chance to see our nation’s decision-makers sweat it out.
Consider it democracy in action—fuelled by heart rate monitors, healthy competition, and the collective will to show the country that fitness and public service go hand in hand.
After all, what better way to reach across the aisle than by doing a few burpees together?