There’s something magical about summer, especially its ability to make routines disappear. And honestly, it’s only natural. Days are longer, weekends fill up with barbecues, weddings, and last-minute getaways, and suddenly your gym bag stops making it out the door. Workouts quietly morph into sunset dance floors or poolside hangouts where your biggest flex is floating on a giant inflatable duck.
And then, September arrives. You check your gym app and realise you haven’t set foot in the gym in weeks. Plus, you’re not even sure where you left your water bottle. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Summer slips away quickly, and with it, sometimes goes the structure you’ve worked hard to build all year.
The good news? Autumn is perfect for comebacks. Cooler mornings, more predictable routines, and the back-to-school feeling still ingrained in your brain make it the ideal time to reset. And we’re here to help, too. Here are the best tips to fall back into fitness this autumn.
Best tips to get back to fitness this autumn
1 – Set a clear goal
Many well-intentioned fitness plans fail because they never had a goal in the first place. So be specific. Write down how you want to feel, what you want to achieve, and why it matters. Do you want to run your first 5K? Feel more energised day-to-day? Or climb the stairs at work without getting out of breath? When your goals are clear, showing up becomes easier, and staying on track is also easier.
2 – Be realistic
It’s tempting to aim high: gym every day, always in calorie deficit, and abs by October. But setting unrealistic goals usually leads to burnout or giving up altogether. Instead, be honest about where you’re starting and what’s manageable. Small, consistent steps are more sustainable, and progress feels better when you can see and stick with it.
3 – Lock in your routine (and your rest)
Having a plan makes it easier to stay consistent. Slot workouts into your calendar like meetings and stick to them. But don’t forget to sleep: Recovery is essential for peak performance, and resting is just as important as the workouts. Include rest days in your routine to allow your muscles time to repair and grow. Listen to your body, and don’t push yourself too hard, as overtraining can lead to injury and burnout.
4 – Don’t procrastinate
It’s easy to keep saying you’ll start next week, then the next, and never actually start. The first step is always the hardest, so don’t overthink it. And don’t use the weather as an excuse. Chilly autumn is the perfect moment to restart your workouts. After all, routines come more easily when life settles down.
5 – Consider a personal trainer
If you’re struggling to restart solo, get some backup. A personal trainer gives you structure, support, and accountability. They’ll help tailor a plan to your goals, guide your technique, and keep you moving, especially on the days when motivation is low. Book a session here.
