Continuous progress in equipment – stagnation in exercise habits

Sedentary behaviour is considered one of the biggest health risk factors in modern office environments. Since 2021, the ‘Exercise in the Office’ initiative has been conducting an annual reader survey among OFFICE-ROXX readers to document trends and developments in the exercise habits of office workers. The fifth survey, which took place between 10 and 23 March 2025, provides valuable insights into the movement habits, ergonomic equipment and health complaints of more than 1,100 participants in German companies.

Survey methodology

During the observation period from 10 to 23 March 2025, a total of 1,180 office workers from Germany completed the online questionnaire on OFFICE-ROXX. Of these, 88.5 per cent were employees, 6.5 per cent were self-employed and 7.5 per cent were in management positions. The average age was 39.5 years; 51 percent of participants identified as male, 48 percent as female and one percent as diverse. As multiple answers were possible, some percentages exceed 100 percent. The repeated annual survey allows a direct comparison of developments since 2021.

Key findings

In 2025, respondents rated their own level of physical activity in everyday life with an average school grade of 3.4 – this represents a deterioration compared to the previous year (2024: 3.2) and is back to the level of 2023 and 2022, while 2021 was rated slightly worse at 3.5. Satisfaction with the amount of physical activity in everyday life was rated 3.5, also a decline compared to the previous year (3.3) and on par with 2022 and 2021, although 2023 was slightly better at 3.4. This development indicates that the brief upward trend in 2024 was not sustainable and that people’s own exercise habits are once again perceived as only ‘satisfactory’.

There has also been little change in the amount of exercise taken during the working day: only 37 percent of respondents said they regularly took at least ten minutes for active exercise outside of their lunch break. Although this figure is slightly higher than the 36 percent recorded in 2024, it is close to the levels seen in 2023 (38 percent) and 2022 (40 percent). Awareness of the importance of taking breaks to move around still seems to be insufficient, with only a third of office workers actually taking the time to do so.

However, there is a positive trend in the mix of postures at work: on average, respondents spend 64 percent of their working time sitting, 27 percent standing and nine percent walking. This brings the ratio slowly closer to the recommendations of health experts, who suggest 60 percent sitting, 30 percent standing and ten percent walking. The slight increase in standing and the stable walking rate can be attributed primarily to the increasing prevalence of height-adjustable desks.

This assessment is also reflected in the availability of ergonomic office furniture: 28.8 percent of participants now use a sit-stand solution (2024: 27.5 percent; 2021: 22.8 percent), while 54.1 percent sit on an ergonomic, movement-promoting chair (2024: 48.7 percent; 2021: 39.8 percent). In addition, 11.2 percent have access to other movement-promoting solutions such as balance boards or standing desks (2024: 9.8 percent). Despite this investment trend, respondents rate the equipment at their workplace with an average score of only 3.0, which represents a slight deterioration compared to 2.8 in the previous year. This ambivalent assessment could indicate that as availability increases, so do expectations in terms of quality and user-friendliness.

Health complaints remain at a high level: three-quarters of respondents complain of back pain – more than in 2024 (71 percent) and the highest level since the survey began. Headaches were reported by 42 percent, muscle tension by 34 percent and neck pain by 32 percent of participants. Only ten percent say they have no complaints, which is only a slight improvement compared to eleven percent in 2024. This pattern of complaints underscores that even modern office furniture alone is not enough to effectively prevent chronic pain.

On a positive note, however, there is a growing willingness to invest in health-promoting measures: 27.9 percent of respondents plan to spend money on ergonomic aids in the near future, compared to 22.2 percent in 2024 and only 13.3 percent in 2023. Of this, 16.3 percent is allocated to budgets of up to £500, 8.5 percent to £1,000 and 3.1 percent to expenditure over £1,000. At the same time, 72.1 percent say they do not want to or cannot invest at present, possibly due to purchases already made or budget restrictions.

Discussion and recommendations for action

The results of the 2025 reader survey make it clear that the mere availability of ergonomic furniture – whether sit-stand desks, chairs that promote movement or supplementary aids – does not automatically lead to more active behaviour. Sustainable change requires a holistic strategy in which material investments are accompanied by organisational and cultural measures. Managers should act as role models by initiating and actively participating in fixed break times for physical activity. Digital reminder tools and gamified incentives, such as team step competitions, can also raise awareness of the importance of regular exercise. Back training, workshops to strengthen core muscles and regular health checks should be embedded in an integrated occupational health management system. Ergonomic standards must not be neglected in the home office either: companies should provide their employees with mobile equipment packages and offer training to prevent poor posture in their own homes.

In addition, long-term budget planning is essential to ensure that investment decisions are not made on an ad hoc basis, but become part of an ongoing culture of health promotion. This is the only way to close the gap between material resources and actual behaviour.

Conclusion

The OFFICE-ROXX reader survey 2025 paints a clear picture: while companies are increasingly equipping their offices and willingness to invest is growing, the actual movement behaviour of office workers remains largely unchanged. Back pain and other complaints remain at a high level. The next step must therefore be to develop a vibrant culture of movement from static investments – with role models, fixed routines, digital incentives and transparent budget planning. This is the only way to successfully move from equipment to a sustainably active working day.