Poles lack time for their loved ones and for physical activity: family run in Lublin on 13 September.
According to a Statistics Poland (GUS) survey, if Poles had more free time, they would most likely spend it with their loved ones and on physical activity. In practice, however, both adults and children do not get enough exercise. One way to combine both needs is through a shared activity – from walking, swimming or climbing to family sporting events. One of them, “Run, Jump & Have FUN,” will take place this coming Sunday on the grounds of the Motor Lublin Arena at 1 Stadionowa Street.
A Statistics Poland (GUS) survey on the population’s time budget reveals that 42.4% of people aged 15 and older would like to have more time for social life and for interacting with family and friends, while 38.2% point to sport and physical activity.
Our daily habits do not always reflect how we would like to spend our free time. According to the MultiSport Index 2025 report, nearly two in five Polish adults (36%) did not engage in any form of physical activity over the past month: they did not walk, cycle, or perform any exercises. The situation of children and young people in Poland is no better. The Global Matrix 4.0 report shows that only 16.8% of them meet WHO recommendations by engaging in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.
One of the challenges today is competition from screens. As many as 86% of parents of school-age children admit that balancing their child’s screen time with physical activity is a difficult task. Forms of physical activity that are associated not with yet another chore, but with fun, a new experience, and time spent together, are more important.
Together and in a different way than usual
Parents mention the desire to spend time together in a way that differs from their everyday routine as the most common reason for engaging in active leisure with their children (51% of respondents); 39% want to look after their health and fitness in this way, as well as gain some distance from their domestic and professional responsibilities.
Whether physical activity was part of family life can still matter many years later. The MultiSport Index: Sportcrastination report reveals that 58% of Poles who currently exercise for more than three hours a week grew up in households where sports were practised. Engaging in joint activities can therefore be not only a way for parents and children to spend a free afternoon but also an opportunity to establish patterns that will stay with the child for the long term.
What helps families get out of the house?
Willingness is one thing, but logistics are just as important in everyday life. The more options available close to home, the easier it is to tailor activities to the child’s age, the weather, the amount of free time, or simply the family’s mood on any given day. 73% of parents name local infrastructure as a source of support for organising leisure time with their children, while 75% believe that benefits facilitating active time spent with their children and expanding family access to various sports and recreational activities would be helpful.
One of such solutions, the MultiSport Programme, will encourage families to get active as part of the “Run, jump & have FUN” event organised by the “Bystrzyca” Municipal Sports and Recreation Centre in Lublin this coming Sunday. Participants aged seven and up will tackle a special course filled with large inflatable obstacles. The idea behind the competition is to combine physical activity, overcoming successive challenges, and active fun for the whole family.
Children who enjoy this element of healthy competition involving obstacles can be taken to a climbing wall, where they can learn basic movement patterns and safety rules under the guidance of an instructor. Meanwhile, adults who get hooked on more demanding challenges can try training formats that combine running with fitness tasks. The ZDROFIT Galeria Gala club offers training formats focused on preparation for Hyrox® competitions, which are, in some respects, the urban equivalent of off-road obstacle races. They also involve running (eight 1 km segments) but take place indoors – in a sports hall or stadium – and there are no surprises along the route; trainees must complete a fixed set of eight exercises. The identical set of movement patterns to be performed and the international classification system allow for comparisons with athletes from around the world, and Hyrox® is often referred to as a global fitness race.
Barbara Jastrzębska
For over 20 years, Benefit Systems has remained the leader of the Polish non-financial benefits market and one of the key players in the region’s fitness industry. For years, the company has been setting market development directions, creating modern solutions that support employee wellbeing and promote an active lifestyle. Benefit Systems’ flagship product is the MultiSport Programme – the most recognizable and most frequently chosen sports programme in Poland, providing access to thousands of sports and recreational facilities. The company’s robust portfolio is complemented by the MyBenefit cafeteria platform and the comprehensive Multi.Life wellbeing programme, creating a unique ecosystem of benefits for companies that care about their employees. Benefit Systems is also dynamically expanding its international presence. Its sports offering is available in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Turkey, reinforcing its position as a key provider of wellbeing services in Central and Eastern Europe. The group is also a major fitness club operator across six markets. In Poland, it manages such well-known networks as Fabryka Formy, FitFabric, Fitness Academy, My Fitness Place, and Zdrofit. Benefit Systems’ mission is to inspire physical activity and promote health at every stage of life. To this end, the company runs numerous educational and health-oriented initiatives for children, adults, and seniors, including through the MultiSport Foundation. Its activities demonstrate that leadership is defined not only by scale but also by tangible social impact. Since 2018, Benefit Systems has been part of the prestigious B Corp community, which brings together companies guided by the highest standards of responsibility and social commitment. More information at benefitsystems.pl/en and biuroprasowe.benefitsystems.pl/releases/English.
