A new study by UK healthcare charity Nuffield Health has found that, on average, higher earners work out at fitness centres three times more than those on lower incomes.

The group polled 1,600 people as part of its research, which showed that those earning less than £20,000 work out for around one hour. Those earning £101,000 or more were found to exercise for three hours.

According to the findings, those earning between £21,000-30,000 workout for 1.5 hours in a gym; earners between £31,000-50,000 workout for 2.1 hours; and those on an income of £71,000-100,000 exercise for 2.6 hours.

However, the figures show a dip in the number of hours of exercise in a gym for individuals earning between £51,000-70,000 to 1.8 hours on average, bucking the overall trend.

Nuffield Health head of physiology Chris Jones said: "Evidence tells us that keeping fit and healthy can benefit your performance at work, which may in turn impress the boss and help secure that much-wanted promotion.

"By doing regular exercise you help manage work-related pressures and help put in a better performance by better preparing your body for times of stress."

Details: www.nuffieldhealth.com

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