What is it that motivates you to exercise? Is it the release of stress after a tough day at work? A social opportunity to catch up with friends or a fitness/weight loss goal before your summer holiday?
If it is the latter, you’re a little short on time as we are in the midst of summer with school holidays approaching and people already jetting off across the globe for their getaways.
On the subject of holidays and other forms of social gatherings, data suggests that in the summer months, people’s social interaction time increases. In general, summer heralds an uptick in various activities such as festivals, leisure and outdoor events, as well as travel all of which fosters increased social interactions over the winter period and – dare we say – absence from the gym!
This anecdotal change in behaviour suggesting that people exercise less throughout June to September is borne out through evidence here at Anytime Fitness. During these months we witness up to a 6% decrease in club attendances in the UK.
So, what can be done to motivate you into continuing your fitness journey during the summer so that the physical gains you made over the rest of the year aren’t wasted?
Maintenance
Whilst it might not be ‘full steam ahead’ in fitness routines during summer months, maintaining what you have already achieved is a goal in itself. It ensures you’re not taking any backward steps and you can ‘pick up from where you left off’.
As social interaction time increases, there is less time to exercise. Maintaining your progress can come in different forms. One solution to that is to simply reduce the time or frequency of your sessions per week. You’re still being active, just working exercise into your enhanced social routine. Another is to start earlier or go later.
With Anytime Fitness you’re attending a club where your gym is open 24/7, air and has fresh water stations to keep you hydrated – after all, we are at YOUR convenience.
What if I have the time, just not the motivation?
It may be that there’s just not the burning desire to exercise right now – our British weather isn’t exactly the most inspiring! Apart from the physical benefits of exercise, what is the motivation? If you’re not the festival goer or outdoor gatherer alluded to, exercising with a friend presents the opportunity to catch up and socialise. You can act as each other’s motivators. The friendly and encouraging environment at our clubs welcomes everyone; presenting the chance to create new bonds.
There’s something nice and refreshing about going for a coffee after a workout, allowing for a post workout debrief. Anytime Fitness clubs are purposefully located in busy locations so your catch up is as convenient as possible with transport links and local businesses nearby.
Seeing friendly faces, making new friendships and enhancing existing ones is the motivation we all need in day-to-day life, so let it act as your driver to exercise this summer too – after all, we are YOUR community.
A Great British summer of sport
Two major sporting events of the summer in Wimbledon and The Open have just concluded this weekend in the sports of tennis and golf respectively. Add the Olympics in to the mix (starting this Friday), as well as the recently completed Euros in Germany, and you have an array of sports to inspire you. Watching people compete at the pinnacle of their chosen sport is proven to increase participation, so if you’re not doing so already, simply engaging with these events can act as your motivation to consider some form of exercise this summer.
No matter what your ability or goals here, we want to help inspire you to take part and your local Anytime Fitness club is here to help you achieve your objectives. Looking to become the very best? There are ways to train your body to give you greater advantages when playing and competing. Looking to simply take part? There are exercises to facilitate that too.
Our fully trained fitness coaches can create bespoke fitness plans which will support your goals whether that is to enhance your body to play your chosen sport or a balanced plan to improve cardio, toning and endurance. With a friendly and approachable nature our coaches are trained to support and encourage you whatever your current fitness levels. After all, we are YOUR coaching.
We are Anytime Fitness – let’s stay motivated, together.
