Getting fit before summer is a myth

The pre-summer fitness trend is an urban myth, as Aussies exercise routines plummet pre-summer, new research shows.

Despite a reputation of being lovers of the great outdoors, it seems there’ll be more boozy bbqs than big bike rides this summer. Research from the number one global nutrition and food tracking app, MyFitnessPal, reveals the amount Aussies exercise significantly reduces between October to December. 

Tricia Han, CEO at MyFitnessPal, said: “Australia is in a relatively unique position. While other countries have their big celebrations in winter and then months to prepare for summer, Australians are trying to balance both at once. Our data indicates that it’s a challenge Aussies struggle to manage.”  

Based on the app’s tracking data, which enables users to log their food intake and exercise time, the amount of exercise logged on the app nosedives long before the holiday season kicks off. This means many Aussies could be breaking the healthy habits they've worked hard to develop throughout the year. 

When it comes to tracking outdoor exercise like walking, running, swimming and cycling, the summer slump starts with over a third (37 percent) of users logging exercise in October 2021. This drops to under three in ten people (29 percent) in December. 

The drop in healthy routines has been a persistent trend for the past five years and is set to continue this year, with just over a third (34%) of MyFitnessPal users logging exercise in October 2022. 

“Fitting exercise into our routines can be trickier when schedules get busier in the lead up to summer. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to creating healthy habits but keeping a track of your progress could be key to keeping motivated during the summer months," Ms Han said.

“There are some simple things you can do to help stick to your healthy routines. Planning your food and exercise for the week ahead, while making allowances for celebrations, can help you keep on track. If you’re struggling with your usual gym or fitness classes, consider walking instead of taking the bus, dive in for a swim while at the beach or take part in some team sports in your local park to bolster your exercise. You might be surprised at how quickly this all adds up.” 

Photo: Bruce Mars/Unsplash