The viral video, which has been viewed more than 4 million times, started a conversation about what’s important in the workplace.
By 2024, many more Australians will experience mental distress, loneliness and difficulty accessing support services.
American influencer Ashton von Kessler posed the question, and it went viral, racking up more than 4 million views on TikTok.
Responses were swift, with people from all over the world sharing how they worked in a variety of industries, from real estate to early childhood education, and found time to attend exercise classes during regular work hours.
One of the daytime participants, a therapist, shared her daily Pilates routine, emphasizing the importance of “blocking out” time.
Another, who works in sales, strategically planned meetings around his classes.
A third said she “put a meeting on my calendar” and took some well-deserved time off to attend Pilates.
Ashton von Kessler has thousands of followers on social media. TikTok/Ashton Bonkessler
Ashton is a Reformed Pilates brand ambassador. TikTok/Ashton Bonkessler
Many commented that they were surprised that so many people were able to take time off from work to exercise, and said they “wondered” what kind of job allows people so much personal freedom. Ta.
“As a working girl who works from 7am to 5pm, I hate it when classes get longer during work hours,” one person gushed.
These women do Pilates at 10am while everyone else is working.
Taking an exercise class during work hours may not be completely mainstream, but it’s definitely on the rise.
Previously, only shift workers or stay-at-home moms were able to exercise during the day.
Now, gym classes are filled with women returning to their laptops after a workout.
In 2024, securing a job is no longer just about a job. It’s all about finding a career that allows you to live the lifestyle you want.
Many people squeeze physical education classes into their workday. TikTok/Ashton Bonkessler
Flexibility is important at work. TikTok/Ashton Bonkessler
Recruitment expert Roxanne Calder said it’s not unusual for candidates to ask during the interview process whether they have time to take an exercise class while on the job.
Calder said it’s about “cultural fit,” and when she interviews people, they’ll straight up say, “Can I go to your 11 a.m. Pilates class?”
Or you might ask if the company invests in the well-being of its employees to determine if the culture is open to someone taking a yoga class during standard work hours.
Calder said she has always been required to combine work and exercise, but these days it is expected.
“Back in the day, telecoms were all about work-life balance, so there were gyms in the basement of the office. The difference between what I see now and now is that people see it as a right, not a bonus. ” she said.
“People now expect work to fit in with everything else in their lives.”
Calder said the focus on health was great, but worried the industry was being held back because workers weren’t doing enough.
“There are productivity issues,” she said. “If your employer says it’s okay for you to do all these things while in the office, then you also need to make sure your team is supported.”
