A recent study has identified the trade profession that boasts the highest level of fitness among its practitioners. The survey, which involved 1,000 tradespeople, evaluated various factors such as daily heavy lifting, step counts, healthy eating habits, and exercise routines outside of work. Lifestyle scores were assigned based on these criteria and then tallied to determine the fittest trade.
Although plumbers secured the second position and were most likely to rate themselves as physically fit, there was a clear standout winner in terms of overall fitness. This particular trade not only recorded the highest daily step count but also dedicated the most time to exercising outside of work, establishing themselves as the unequivocal fittest group in the industry.
The research findings crowned landscapers as the champions with a total of 34 points. Professionals in this field accumulate an impressive 12,274 daily steps and allocate 114 minutes per week to exercise outside of their work commitments.
Occupying the third spot were carpenters, who, while not excelling in any single category, averaged 10,995 steps daily and handled 16 heavy items on a regular basis. In contrast, painters and decorators were labeled as the least physically active, scoring only 13 points.
Commissioned by Citroën, a brand renowned for its lineup of fully electric vans including the ë-Berlingo, the study was conducted in partnership with England Athletics.
Greg Taylor, Managing Director of Citroën UK, emphasized the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, especially in professions demanding significant physical exertion. Taylor stressed the significance of maintaining good health habits to optimize performance at work.
The research highlighted that bricklayers lift the highest number of heavy objects daily, averaging 26, yet rank fifth in overall fitness due to lower scores in self-perceived fitness (62%), daily step count (9,700), and exercise duration outside of work (93 minutes weekly).
Despite 88% of respondents acknowledging the physical demands of their profession, 77% expressed satisfaction with the physical aspects of their work. However, 71% reported sustaining injuries due to workplace demands, with back, arm, and knee injuries being the most common.
Conducted through OnePoll.com, the study revealed that the typical tradesperson covers 140 miles per week driving for work and spends four hours weekly seated in their van. Reliability was identified as the most crucial factor tradespeople consider in their vehicles, alongside price and comfort.
To optimize their time spent in their vans, 33% of respondents would contemplate storing dumbbells for fitness maintenance, while 28% would opt for resistance bands.
Greg Taylor from Citroën UK reiterated the importance of addressing fitness challenges that arise from spending extended periods in vans. Taylor encouraged tradespeople to utilize their van time productively for fitness activities but also cautioned against overexertion to prevent injuries.