Finland’s first 24-hour gym in a shipping container opens at truck stop

A unique gym housed in a repurposed shipping container has opened at a roadside service station in Joroinen, eastern Finland, aiming to improve fitness among professional drivers, Yle reports.

The 60-square-metre “punttikontti” (gym container) is Finland’s first low-threshold fitness facility located directly at a truck stop, offering round-the-clock access to drivers and locals. Two entrepreneurs, Maisa Heikkinen and Tatu Iivarinen from Kuopio, developed the concept after identifying inactivity as a major health risk for truckers.

“Heavy goods vehicle drivers often cite lack of time as the biggest barrier to exercise,” Iivarinen said. Surveys revealed many drivers were unaware of where or how to fit workouts into their schedules. The pair sought a shared solution that would serve both the transport industry and the small municipality’s needs.

The paid-entry gym, built from modular units, can be relocated if needed. It includes basic strength and cardio equipment for 8–10 users at a time, with access granted via a key code. Instruction on equipment use is also provided.

While some ABC service stations in Finland have added exercise equipment to driver break rooms in collaboration with the Lung Health Association (Hengitysliitto), no other facility brings a full gym this close to drivers’ routes, according to the founders.

Local demand beyond truckers
The container gym has also drawn interest from Joroinen residents after the municipal sports hall—home to the town’s main gym—closed for renovations. Hannu Viirimaa, a 70-year-old former taxi driver and ex-firefighter, visited to test the equipment. A lifelong athlete with a background in wrestling and weightlifting, he praised Joroinen’s active culture but noted the temporary gap in facilities.

Risto Keinänen, a 64-year-old local machine contractor, called the gym “just what I needed” after decades of physically demanding work left him with joint pain. His goal is to lose three kilograms and improve mobility by autumn. “I worked 316 days last year. Now it’s time to invest in myself—I want to keep working until at least 70,” he said.

Health risks for drivers
The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (Työterveyslaitos) highlights that long hours, sedentary work, and physical strain from loading make fitness critical for drivers. Senior researcher Susanna Visuri noted that prolonged sitting is a clear health risk, while irregular shifts challenge healthy eating and exercise habits.

“Exercise during the workday boosts alertness and revitalises the body and mind,” Visuri said, adding that long-term activity enhances work capacity. In December, the institute published a guide to help workplaces integrate health promotion—including physical activity—into daily operations for drivers.