How to Promote Physical Activity in the Workplace Without a Gym

You don’t need a gym to build a healthier workplace. In fact, when it comes to improving physical wellbeing at work, it’s often the simple, everyday habits that make the biggest difference.

From step challenges to active breaks, there are plenty of practical and accessible ways to help your team get moving, even in the middle of a busy workday. Whether you're running a hybrid team, working from a single site, or managing people across time zones, these workplace wellness ideas can be adapted to suit any environment.

One of the most effective starting points is a step challenge. It’s inclusive, low-cost and works for both in-person and remote teams. You can track steps, active minutes or daily movement goals. It encourages consistency, not competition and when people participate in teams, it boosts motivation and connection.

Active breaks are equally important. Encourage 5-minute stretch sessions, walking calls or short mobility routines. These quick resets support movement at work, helping to reduce fatigue and improve focus without requiring a full workout or dedicated space.

To make it stick, movement needs to be part of your daily communications. Share tips in internal newsletters, set weekly wellbeing goals, or add light physical prompts to meeting agendas. The more visible and normalised it becomes, the more likely people are to engage.

The best employee health strategies are the ones people can actually follow. You don’t need to offer more, just remove the barriers that get in the way of everyday movement.

At PlanetOnce, we help companies put this into practice, with tools that promote movement, reduce burnout and support healthier habits across the board.