National Fitness Day – Kick Start Your Autumn To Winter Exercise Regime!
25 September 2018
Wednesday 26th September is National Fitness Day in the UK, a day to “to highlight the role physical activity plays across the UK, helping us raise awareness of its importance in helping us lead healthier and active lifestyles.”
It’s good timing too! After a fantastic summer where it was easy to get outside and do some physical exercise – whether walking, running or cycling – many of us are in danger of becoming a bit more sedentary during autumn and don’t make as much effort to exercise.
So, National Fitness Day is a great opportunity to kick start your autumn / winter fitness regime! Here are a few ideas of what you can do get fit and stay fit over the next few months.
Try A New Fitness Class
Variety is the spice of life, so why not try a new fitness class? In fact, one of the reasons people stop exercising regularly is because they’re bored of doing the same classes or routines every time. There are so many different types of classes available, so boredom is not a valid excuse anymore! Spice up your exercise regime, try something new at your gym or local leisure centre.
Go For A Swim
If you’re put off running or cycling outside during the winter months, why not go swimming instead? It’s another great all round exercise, providing a cardio workout as well as resistance training, and you can do some serious distance work too. Many gyms also offer classes designed for people who want to improve their stroke and performance, or build their confidence in the water.
Get A New Workout
If you have a gym membership and haven’t changed your routine for some time, ask a personal trainer for a new one. You may find that your old routine isn’t challenging enough, isn’t having the desired affect (for example, weight loss) or is simply getting boring. Give yourself a new focus with new goals to see you through the next few months.
Join A Team
There are lots of team sports that continue all year round, and some are not weather dependent! If you don’t fancy getting wet and muddy on a rugby or football pitch, there’s indoor football and hockey to try instead. Basketball, handball and floorball are also traditionally played inside, search for your local club online.
Make The Most Of Gym Equipment
Move your workout to the gym to keep in shape for next summer. Switch running outside to the treadmill, cycling to a spinning class, kayaking to a rowing machine, and boot camp for an indoor circuit class! Of course you can carry on exercising outside all year round, but these are great alternatives as the nights draw in and it gets cold and wet outside.
You’ll find there are lots of events happening around the country on National Fitness Day, so check out the event page here to find one near you. Your employer may also be taking part – pushing back the start of the working day by an hour so you can go to the gym first! Physical exercise before work really sets you up for the day, reducing stress levels, giving you more energy and increasing your happiness levels.
If you’re not a member of a gym and would like to be, see if your employer offers a gym membership scheme through salary sacrifice. If you’re already a member of a gym, but not taking advantage of a gym membership scheme, it is possible to switch. This can help you save money on the cost of membership, as well as keeping you fit and active all year round. Ask your employer to find out what health and wellbeing schemes they provide.