The return of autumn encourages people back to the gym

The beginning of a new school year has coincided with an influx of people going to use the Gym, according to a study conducted by Fitness First.

After the New Year, September has been recognised for being the “second peak for resetting healthy habits”, with internet searches for fitness classes surging by 825 per cent month-on-month from August.

The study also found that searches for ‘gym’ increased by 39 per cent month-on-month, leading to September being dubbed Reset-ember.

The rise in interest has been reflected by visits to Fitness First gyms in September over the last few years. In 2014, the large gym chain saw visits increase by 48,000, while in September 2015 there were 31,700 extra visits.

Lee Matthews, Fitness First’s fitness and marketing director, said there had also been a 27 per cent increase in member attendance over the first week of September.

“It stands to reason that summer breaks, having kids at home and the temptation of lazy days in sunny beer gardens leaves fitness at the bottom of the priority list in August,” he added. “But our figures show that come September, Britons are craving routine and a health kick.”