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Post-Summer Reset: How to Plan Your Fitness Routine and Hit the Ground Running
As summer comes to an end and life gets back to its usual hectic pace (kids back to school, work schedules ramping up, and the days getting shorter) it’s easy to let your fitness routine drop to the bottom of your priority list.
But this transition period is the perfect time to refocus on your health and fitness goals.
With a little planning and intention, you can carve out non-negotiable time for exercise and jump back into a routine that sets you up for success throughout the autumn and beyond.
1. Plan Ahead: Set Yourself Up for Success
Why It Matters:
Getting back into the swing of things after the summer holiday requires intentional planning. Without it, you might find yourself squeezing workouts in sporadically, which can derail your progress and make it harder to stay consistent.
Actionable Steps:
- Create a Weekly Schedule: Block off non-negotiable times for workouts in your calendar—just like you would for work meetings or school pickups. This keeps fitness a priority as life gets busier.
- Set Your Priorities: Evaluate your fitness goals. Are you aiming to lose weight, build strength, improve flexibility, or simply maintain your current level of fitness? Define your goals and break them into manageable steps.
- Account for Transitions: Plan your workout routine around seasonal changes. For example, if you usually work out in the evenings but it’s getting darker earlier, consider shifting to morning or lunchtime workouts.
2. Establish Non-Negotiable Time for Fitness
Why It Matters:
Once the summer fun is over, it’s easy to deprioritise your fitness routine. But, making your exercise time non-negotiable will help you stay consistent even when things get busy.
Actionable Steps:
- Morning Power-Up: If your schedule allows, commit to morning workouts before the day’s distractions set in. A 50-minute session before work or the school run will help you start the day on the right foot – and boost your energy levels from the get-go.
- Micro-Workouts: You might only have time to get to the gym a couple of times a week – and that’s fine. But you can add bite-size workouts in between your gym sessions to take advantage of 20-30 minute breaks in your schedule, and keep your fitness top-of-mind throughout the week.
- Use Tech Tools: Wearable tech (like a Myzone belt or an Oura ring) can help you stay accountable and ensure you’re carving out time for exercise – even if it’s just short, daily bursts of activity.
3. Transition Back Into Routine with Purpose
Why It Matters:
After a summer of indulgence and relaxation, jumping straight back into a hardcore routine can be overwhelming and unsustainable. Easing in and gradually increasing your workout intensity is key to sticking with it long-term.
Actionable Steps:
- Start Slow: If you’ve been away for the summer, you may need to focus on rebuilding your fitness gradually. This is where having coach-led workouts is a massive benefit, as they’ll tailor the intensity of the workout to your current state (and avoid injury or overexertion).
- Set Short-Term Goals: These can help you stay motivated. For example, aim to get to the gym twice in the first couple of weeks, and gradually ramp up to three or four sessions weekly.
- Accountability Partners: Find a workout buddy or join a small-group training session to keep each other motivated and on track.
4. Plan Around the School Year and Workload
Why It Matters:
With the school year back in full swing and work demands picking up, it’s essential to coordinate your fitness routine around these obligations to prevent burnout.
Actionable Steps:
- Coordinate Family Schedules: If you have kids, find ways to schedule workouts during school hours or when they are at extracurricular activities. Morning, late-evening, or lunchtime sessions might work better depending on your schedule.
- Work-Friendly Workouts: If you’re back at the office, find ways to fit exercise into your workday, such as lunchtime workouts or quick gym sessions on the way to or from work.
- Family Fitness: If scheduling is tight, consider adding in family activities that keep everyone moving – such as weekend hikes, bike rides, or family-friendly circuit workouts.
5. Prepare for Autumn Weather Challenges
Why It Matters:
As the weather cools down and becomes more unpredictable, that evening run might feel less appealing. Preparing for these challenges can ensure you don’t let the elements throw you off track.
Actionable Steps:
- Have a Backup Plan: When rain or cold weather makes outdoor exercise impossible, have a list of go-to indoor workouts you can do at home or at the gym. Knowing you have a session in a warm, dry, space with a shower to hand will make the idea of exercise far more attractive!
- Invest in Gear: If you love outdoor workouts, gear up with weather-appropriate clothing to help you keep running, cycling, or training outside regardless of the weather.
- Indoor Workout Programs: Sign up for small-group indoor training sessions or find a virtual program you can stick to on the bad weather days.
Why Foundry is Perfect for Busy People:
At Foundry, we understand that your time is valuable, and fitting regular exercise into your schedule can feel overwhelming – especially as life gets busier post-summer. That’s why we’ve designed our small-group personal training sessions to make staying consistent with your fitness as easy as possible.
Here’s why Foundry is the ideal choice for busy people looking to prioritise their health:
- Fixed Slots with Flexibility: You simply book your session, show up, and train. Your workout time is fixed in your schedule, making it easier to stay accountable. Plus, we offer sessions on the hour, every hour, so there’s always a slot that fits your day.
- Accountability Built In: If you miss a session, our team will check in with you. This extra layer of accountability helps you stick to your routine even when life gets hectic.
- The Best of Both Worlds: Foundry combines the motivation and camaraderie of working out in a small group, with the personalised attention of one-on-one training. Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced, our expert trainers tailor the sessions to your individual needs. You get the support and encouragement to push yourself, without the stress of figuring it all out alone.
- No Stress, Just Results: Unlike mainstream gyms, where you’re left to motivate yourself and create your own workout plan, Foundry takes the friction out of fitness. We handle the programming, so all you need to do is show up and follow the plan, knowing it will enable you to reach your goals.
- Ultimate Flexibility: Your membership gives you access to all seven of our gyms across London and the South East. So, no matter where your day takes you, there’s a Foundry location nearby to fit in your workout.
- Risk-Free Commitment: We offer a 21-day challenge to let you experience everything Foundry has to offer before committing. Try it out, and if it’s not the right fit, we’ll give you your money back—no risk, no stress.
While the post-summer period can feel overwhelming, planning ahead and carving out non-negotiable time for exercise can help you transition smoothly back into a consistent routine. With Foundry’s supportive environment, built-in accountability, and flexible scheduling, staying fit has never been easier—even for the busiest people. Prioritise your health, and let us take the effort out of staying on track.
At Foundry, we get it. We work with busy folks, juggling families and high-pressure jobs, to find fitness and health solutions that actually work. Efficiency, flexibility, and results are our jam.
Ready to take the first step? Join our 21-day challenge and see what we’re all about, no strings attached. Find out more here.
If you have any questions on the above or would like some advice on how we could help you with your fitness goal, visit one of our Foundry Gyms and try one of our personal fitness training programmes.
