Tradespeople, including plumbers, may be the fittest workers in the UK. This is according to new research from Direct Line business insurance which found that the average tradesperson completes an impressive 27 hours of physical activity per week, which is 11 times the NHS’s minimum recommendation of 2.5 hours of exercise per week.
It’s no secret that a tradesperson’s job is more physically demanding than the average desk job, with these skilled professionals keeping physically active for 22 hours per week at work. In addition, tradespeople are keeping fit outside of work, with an additional five hours of physical activity completed per week on average at the gym and through sport.
The majority of tradespeople polled felt positive about their health, with 76% claiming to lead healthy lives and 87% agreeing that they are very physically active. Almost three quarters (71%) of tradespeople say they actively track their physical activity and calories burnt using fitness trackers to understand what they may need to eat to ensure energy levels are maintained.
Because of the physical exertion involved in the job, more than a quarter (29%) of tradespeople say they regularly eat more than the average recommended daily calorie allowance, to ensure they are properly fuelled for the demands of their jobs.
When it comes to the most physically demanding jobs, roofers (23 hours), carpenters (22 hours) and plumbers (22 hours) clock up the most hours of work-related physical activity per week. Kitchen fitters (6.33 hours), tilers (5.89 hours) and plasterers (5.86 hours) averaged the most additional hours of physical activity per week. Despite their already active schedules, all tradespeople ompleted more than four hours of additional physical activity per week, highlighting that many tradespeople are health conscious.
Alison Traboulsi, SME product manager at Direct Line Business insurance, comments: “Tradespeople do not need to seek inspiration from footballers in Germany or athletes in Paris to get active. They are setting a great example for us all by being active outside of work despite the physically demanding nature of their jobs. It is also encouraging to see that two thirds (64%) of tradespeople prioritise their mental health as the two go hand in hand.”
Hours of physical activity and additional activity per week by trade:
| Trade Profession | Hours of work-related physical activity per week | Hours of additional physical activity per week |
| Roofer | 23.03 | 5.26 |
| Carpenter | 21.84 | 5.35 |
| Plumber | 21.84 | 4.79 |
| Electrician | 21.47 | 5.33 |
| Builder | 20.72 | 5.46 |
| Painter/decorator | 20.56 | 5.34 |
| Plasterer | 20.28 | 5.86 |
| Insulation installer | 20.11 | 4.97 |
| Handyman/woman | 20.10 | 5.21 |
| Tiler | 19.58 | 5.89 |
| Kitchen fitter | 19.32 | 6.33 |
| Landscaping/tree surgeon | 18.93 | 4.84 |
| Carpet installer/ flooring | 17.76 | 5.43 |
| Reupholster/furniture | 16.40 | 5.35 |
Source: Direct Line business insurance
https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk
