With the clocks turning back and winter approaching in the UK, research by retailer Sports Direct has revealed that 61% of Brits admit to stopping exercising completely as the days draw in.
In light of this, the sports retailer has launched Beat The Quit… ‘working with run crews across the UK to shine a light on the best well lit running routes and provide motivation to those who find themselves swapping exercise for excuses.’
The new research looked at winter activity habits in Britain, revealing that, from as soon as the clocks change in March 26th (21 weeks in total) the average Brit will spend 42% more time sedentary: six hours a day, that’s 42 hours a week and 882 hours in total.
Nearly half (48%) also admit that during the colder months they find it harder to stick to their normal exercise routine, with Brits swapping running shoes for screens as they spend 22% more time on their devices during winter months.
The retailer added that… ‘over the next 21 weeks of winter, we will spend 441 hours (three hours a day) scrolling through videos and memes online.’
Overall, 79% of survey respondents said they think exercise is more important for their mental health than looking good. Despite being aware of the health benefits, 44% still find themselves making excuses not to work out during winter.
Two in five (40%) find working out or running as a group in the winter helps to motivate them. Although, 60% use ‘it’s too cold’ as an excuse not to exercise.
In addition, seven in ten women (71%) and over half of men (56%) admit the darker evenings mean they struggle to find well lit running routes; so they avoid exercising outside as winter arrives. Almost half of women (44%) confess that they just simply don’t feel safe running outside during the winter, whatever the time of day.
To combat the issues and help Brits stay motivated in the colder months, the Beat The Quit campaign will see the sports retailer partner up with regional run crews in London and Birmingham to encourage people to overcome the elements as well as the barriers to exercise throughout the colder months.
Alongside motivational tips, the run crews will also shine a light on the best-lit running routes in their respective cities – providing practical solutions for those who feel unsafe when the nights draw in.
The Outrunners, one of the running crews working with Sports Direct on Beat The Quit, stated in a release from Sports Direct that “Movement has a profound positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing.
“We absolutely share Sports Direct’s vision in harnessing the power of exercise to help people keep on working out as the seasons change and we head into winter. It’s no secret that it can be less enticing to head out for a run when it is cold and dark outside, which is why we’re here to motivate people and make it easier to keep on going.”
