Exercise and culture benefits are at the heart of employee wellbeing. Did you know that regular sweaty workouts can boost your mood and even help with depression? We’re not just tooting our own horn here – there’s solid research behind this. Exercise releases feel-good hormones and acts as the body’s natural antidepressant. It also gives you a sense of control and builds self-esteem.
In this blog, you’ll find tips on how to make the most of your exercise benefit.
You can use your Smartum exercise benefit at most gyms in Finland – and for many other types of physical activities too.
Your exercise benefit covers racket sports too
Do you enjoy hitting the white ball on the green?
Golf isn’t exactly known as the cheapest hobby, but using your employee benefit can make it more affordable. You can pay your green fees with your Smartum exercise benefit – and if you're just getting started, you can even use it to cover beginner courses and your Green Card.
Check out the golf courses that accept Smartum as a payment method.
More into hitting the green ball on a red court?
Use your Smartum benefit for tennis lessons, club memberships, or court bookings.
Is badminton your game of choice?
You can use your Smartum benefit to book court time at most badminton halls across Finland.
See the full list of badminton venues here.
Trying something new? Padel, perhaps?
Padel is also approved by the tax authorities as an eligible sport – which means you can pay for it with your Smartum exercise benefit.
Discover padel courts in Finland here.
Squash – or “kössi”, as the Finns say
This fast-paced racket sport was all the rage in the 1980s – and now it’s making a comeback. Squash challenges both your cardio and explosive strength, all in one compact court.
Not just solo sports – team sports are covered too
You can also use your Smartum benefit to pay seasonal or hobby fees for team sports. Floorball, bandy, football, basketball, ringette, rinkball, billiards, snooker… The list goes on. With your benefit, you can cover part of the costs and expand your hobby horizons.
More ways to move
You can use your exercise benefit for a wide variety of sports – and many online-based workouts are also eligible.
Check out our gym network here.
Want to train at home?
If you prefer to train at home, you can buy an online coaching program that includes guided home workouts, training plans, and support from a remote coach.
Find our coaching partners here.
Ever tried winter swimming?
It boosts your metabolism and increases brown fat, which helps insulate the body. Plus, cold dips trigger the release of feel-good hormones – great for your mood!
Many people get hooked, even if they normally hate the cold. And even though the winter season is ending in southern Finland, the water is still cold enough to give you that refreshing plunge – at least mentally!
Explore winter swimming spots and take the cold plunge.
Spring is for running!
So put on your sneakers and head outside. You don’t need a benefit to go for a run – unfortunately, Smartum doesn’t cover running shoes.
But if you want to train with a purpose or struggle to stay motivated after the third run, try remote coaching. There are plenty of different training plans out there – and something for every level of runner.
If you enjoy exercising with others, you might love a running group.
Check out our partners offering running coaching here.
And don’t forget – you can also use your Smartum benefit to pay for running events!
What better way to stay motivated than signing up for a race?
Check the 2025 running calendar by Juoksija magazine and register while your motivation is high. (Only in Finnish.)
Climbing
Climbing challenges your coordination, strength, endurance, strategic thinking – and patience. You can climb tall indoor walls, natural rock faces, or try bouldering, which may be lower to the ground but definitely no less challenging.
Explore climbing gyms and spots here.
Boxing
Boxing can be done solo, with a partner, or even in a group. You can spar with a friend or try fitness boxing, where you punch pads and a heavy bag instead of people.
Some municipalities even offer family boxing classes – so bring your partner and kids along!
Olympic wrestling
Wrestling challenges your agility, strength, and persistence – and builds serious grit. Freestyle or Greco-Roman wrestling creates an excellent foundation for any sport, so if you only have time for one, why not give it a try?
Search for wrestling clubs here.
Judo and karate
Eastern martial arts have fascinated Westerners for decades. These disciplines test your decision-making, reflexes, and endurance – and build both strength and stamina.
Put on your gi and check out judo clubs here.
Find karate venues here.
CrossFit and TFW
CrossFit, TFW are great for fans of functional training – especially if you love a good workout but don’t want to spend time planning what to do at the gym. These high-energy classes challenge your strength, explosiveness, endurance – and mental toughness.
Find CrossFit boxes here and TFW dojos here.
Parkour / circus school / acrobatics
Parkour, circus training, and acrobatics are for all ages and fitness levels. You can start with beginner-friendly courses and move on to more advanced ones as your skills – and confidence – grow.
Explore parkour options here, circus schools here, and acrobatics classes here.
Shooting sports and archery
Target shooting with a pistol is safe and fun – and you’ll see your progress quickly. For supervised sessions, you don’t need a license, as you’ll be handling the weapon under guidance.
Not a fan of loud bangs and bullets? Step into Robin Hood’s shoes and try archery instead.
Discover shooting venues here and archery venues here.
Bowling
Grab your friends and head to the bowling alley! It’s a fun and social hobby – and a perfect way to test your competitive side while enjoying time together.
Check out bowling venues here.
Fishing
Row out on a sunny day and take a nap in the boat. Yes, it counts as sport!
Find fishing activities and services here.
Diving
Scuba diving lets you push your limits and explore places most people never get to see. Even though diving conditions in Finland vary, you can earn your certification here and enjoy underwater adventures elsewhere.
That said, the Baltic Sea has its own kind of beauty – if you find the right spot.
Discover diving schools here and here.
Paddling
Paddling is a fast, nimble, muscle-powered way to move on water. It’s perfect if hiking on foot isn’t your thing – the water carries you. Explore islands, shores, and remote spots that are out of reach by foot or by swim.
Sailing
Feel the wind on your face as you steer your boat through the waves. A sailing course is a great way to try something new – before you commit to buying a boat you don’t know how to use. If you already know the basics, take an advanced course and sail to new harbors.
See sailing courses and venues here.
Yoga / Pilates / Meditation
Train both body and mind – with your own body weight or props. Yoga, Pilates, and meditation improve your strength, flexibility, and mobility – and help you build mental resilience and inner calm.
Find yoga studios here, Pilates options here, and meditation sessions here.
Horseback riding
Hop in the saddle and train in an arena or an indoor riding hall. Try dressage or head out on a trail and enjoy the ride.
Explore riding schools and services here.
Hiking and trekking
Nature activities became increasingly popular during the pandemic – and the love for the outdoors shows no signs of slowing down. If you’re new to hiking, try a guided hike or a trekking course, where you’ll learn basic outdoor survival skills and good hiking etiquette.
Start your outdoor journey by checking out hiking service providers.
Make the most of your culture benefit
Your culture benefit supports your mental wellbeing – in whatever form of culture works best for you. Whether you're into sports events, music festivals, opera, or theatre, the culture benefit gives you the freedom to enjoy it all.
In collaboration: The Museum Card
The Museum Card gives you access to 360 museums all over Finland. Check out some inspiring spring exhibitions and find your favorite:
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Maailmanranta – Reidar Särestöniemi 100 years, Didrichsen Art Museum, Helsinki (Feb 8 – June 1, 2025)
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Rantasipi – Stories from Finland’s Wilderness Hotels, Aalto2, Jyväskylä (May 10, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026)
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The Colorist Pays a Visit – Works from Martti Airio’s Art Collection, Kuopio Art Museum (Feb 7 – Apr 27, 2025)
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Breaking Boundaries, Ateneum Art Museum, Helsinki (Mar 7 – Aug 24, 2025)
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On the Fabric – The Art of Printed Textiles, EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art (Feb 12, 2025 – Mar 14, 2027)
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Laila Karttunen and the Color Stripes of Life, Hämeenlinna Art Museum (Nov 2, 2024 – May 4, 2025)
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The Land of Hundreds of Thousands of Summer Cottages, Sarka – The Finnish Museum of Agriculture, Loimaa (Mar 13 – May 31, 2025)
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Eternal Summer – Works from the Collection of the Friends of Art in Vyborg, Poikilo Museums, Kouvola (Feb 6 – Apr 27, 2025)
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Rock, Paper, Scissors – Highlights from the Kiasma Collection, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki (Feb 14, 2025 – Jan 18, 2026)
Find more current exhibition tips here and buy your Museum Card at a special price here! (Only in Finnish.)
Traditional culture
Opera
The Savonlinna Opera Festival was first held in 1912, back when Finland was still a Grand Duchy. Today, it’s one of the top cultural events in the country.
In addition to Savonlinna, you can also enjoy opera at the Finnish National Opera – and occasionally in other locations, too.
If you enjoy powerful voices and soaring arias, check out opera venues here.
Theatre
Live theatre is an experience that stays with you. Being in the same room with the actors and following the story unfold on stage makes it feel truly real and close.
Find our partner theatres and performances here.
Cinema
This one barely needs an introduction – going to the movies is one of the most popular ways to use the Smartum culture benefit. Check out the latest film selections on the cinemas’ own websites.
Find movie theatres all in one place here.
Sports events
You can use your culture benefit to buy season tickets, multi-pass tickets, or single entry to sports events – as long as the event accepts Smartum as a payment method.
Find football clubs and events here,
ice hockey games here, and
basketball teams and games here.
Festivals
All year round – but especially in summer – Finland is buzzing with music and cultural festivals. With one entry ticket, you get to enjoy performances, panel discussions, workshops, and often delicious food, as many festivals now also focus on quality dining experiences.
Check out the festival selection here and here.
Try singing in a choir
If you love to sing but your confidence isn’t quite there yet – or you just prefer shared joy over solo performance – join a choir!
You might think one voice doesn’t matter, but most choirs do require an audition.
Discover choir opportunities here.
Get more out of your benefits – don’t forget Smartum Diilit
On the Diilit website, you’ll find the latest offers from our partners, specially curated for Smartum benefit users. It’s the best place to discover smart ways to make the most of your valuable employee benefits.
Remember: one benefit euro goes further than a regular salary euro – because it’s tax-free. According to the Finnish Tax Administration, the annual tax-free limit for the exercise benefit is €400 per employee.
Browse partner offers and grab the best deals on the Diilit website. (Only in Finnish)
Just don’t forget to check the terms before purchasing.