Stock photo of people exercising in Richmond-upon-Thames
(Picture: PA)Autumn is the least popular season for exercise in London, a survey has found.
Less than two per cent of Londoners say they feel motivated to keep fit in October and November.
City-dwellers feel most motivated in Spring, with 27 per cent of the population keen to get active in March, April and May.
Meanwhile, Londoners are twice as likely to want to stay active in summer (21 per cent) compared with winter (11 per cent).
The research, which was commissioned by Peloton and surveyed more than 2,000 Londoners, identifies “Autumn Apathy” as one of the key obstacles to working out.
Psychiatrist Pooja Lakshmin, founder of the women’s mental health platform Gemma and member of Peloton’s Health & Wellness Advisory Council, said: “When the seasons change, and days get shorter, it’s common for my patients to cite the dark dreary days as the reason they want to veg in front of the TV, or just get under the covers.
“Yet, it’s precisely during this time of year that staying active is important. We know that physical activity and exercise is not only beneficial physically, it also helps us mentally and emotionally.”
Contrary to popular opinion, New Years resolutions only provide a small jump in the incentive to get active - with 8 per cent of Londoners saying they are motivated in January but only around two per cent in February.
Christmas party season means December is the month they are least likely to be motivated with barely one percent of people saying they felt like getting active.
Hannah Frankson, Peloton Instructor and former Olympic standard triple jumper, offered tips to help people exercise even when motivation is lacking.
She said: “Firstly, get to the bottom of where the lack of motivation is coming from. Boredom? Too much pressure being placed on yourself? Not getting the results you want? Losing sight as to why you are exercising?
“If you are a female or experience periods - are you pre / post menstrual? Has a lot changed in your life currently? Figure it out and make adjustments. Sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to keep our workouts the same but we are allowed to change workouts.”
She added: “Think frequency of exercise, intensity of exercise, the type of exercise you are doing and the amount of time you are spending doing it.
“Movement is supposed to be in our life for a long time so on the whole you want to be doing something that is accessible, something you physically can do and not too much effort for you personally to prioritise.
“Lastly, remember your personal ‘why’. I exercise because I’ve realised over the years it helps me mentally as well as physically so it’s a moment of self-care and respect for my body. It is important to find your own why to give what you do a bigger reason.”
