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After all, each new season brings new opportunities to stay at the top of your game, and Autumn is no exception
After a long hot summer, the temperatures are finally cooling down – which means change is in the air. Your mind might go straight to updating your wardrobe, but how about refreshing your fitness regime too? After all, each new season brings new opportunities to stay at the top of your game, and Autumn is no exception.
To help you get on your way, we’ve put together some of our favourite Autumn-friendly workout ideas, along with some wellness tips that are perfect for these crisper days.
1. Get into the great outdoors.
Sun-drenched beach days may be behind us, but there’s so much to love about nature in Autumn. It’s the perfect time to head off the beaten track and appreciate the changing colours of the Australian landscape, at whatever pace you prefer. Locate your nearest National Park and plan a hike with family or friends – you can even make a weekend of it. Just remember to invest in a good pair of trail running shoes, layers you can throw on or off according to the weather, and a lightweight water bottle. Emergency snacks are never a bad idea either!
Trail running is a slightly higher intensity way to experience wildlife, and it’s increasingly popular across the country. You can find a huge array of running trails complete with hand-curated maps, detailed reviews and photos. Again, just be sure to prepare before heading off into the wild yonder, and if you’re flying solo, tell someone where you’re going – in our great Southern land, you never know where mobile coverage will drop out.
2. Meet the sunrise.
The days start getting shorter as we head into Autumn, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Why not take the opportunity to adjust your sleep-wake schedule to rise a little earlier? Getting up with the sun gives you time to get a workout in before the day runs away from you – plus, scientific studies have shown that early birds tend to be happier and more productive.
If you struggle to shake off sleep, you’re not alone – and Autumn does tend to encourage hibernation rather than brisk sunrise exercise sessions. A few tips to help you on your way: ensure you have a consistent bedtime (even on weekends), ditching screens for the hour or two beforehand. Set yourself a goal or make a date to meet someone who’ll keep you accountable (early morning boot camps are great!). Or, get yourself a sleep aid, to help you get a more restful sleep.
3. Find your dream team.
Autumn heralds the start of some of Australia’s favourite team sports: soccer, rugby and netball to name a few. Even if you’ve never dabbled in these sports, joining a local team is an easy way to give it a go – and you’ll find most are friendly and encouraging, no matter your lack of experience or skill.
Most clubs will have practice sessions through the week, as well as regular competitions. This means that once you’re involved, your exercise schedule pretty much takes care of itself. You’re also likely to meet new people in your neighbourhood you may not have otherwise crossed paths with.
Not into ball sports? It doesn’t mean you can’t track down a tribe to join. Join a dance studio, book in a regular Pilates session, or find your zen at yoga – you can find all your yoga & pilatesmust-haves at rebel. By picking something you enjoy, you’re more likely to find people with common interests. Don’t underestimate how motivating it can be to have a ‘standing commitment’ where you’ll see friends!
4. Lift your game.
Now the sweat-factor has somewhat subsided, why not add strength training to your line-up? The health benefits associated with resistance training are undeniable, especially for women. As well as improving muscle strength and tone (which helps protect joints and prevent injury), strength training is great for your balance, flexibility and improving sleep. Notably, it also improves bone density and can reduce the risk of osteoporosis – and pumping iron can even enhance your quality of sleep!
These days, you don’t even have to spring for a gym membership to start lifting weights. At rebel, you can find a great range of at-home gear, from hand weights to medicine balls & slam balls. Even with a few basic items, you can explore all sorts of different exercises and activities – head to YouTube for instructional videos, or contact a personal trainer to get you started.
5. Build your immunity.
As we transition from hot to cool weather, cold and flu season is on the horizon – which makes Autumn the ideal time to boost your immunity and wellbeing. One of the secrets to a robust immune system is eating seasonally, with a focus on fresh fruit and veggies. In Autumn, root vegetables are plentiful, so add carrots, beetroot, parsnips, sweet potatoes and pumpkin to your basket. Greens are also in good supply (think spinach, kale, broccoli, pak choy and peas), while capsicum and corn add a sweet splash of colour.
When it comes to fruit, it’s easy to find apples, grapes, pomegranates, strawberries, figs and citrus – all of which are packed with vitamins.
But what to do with all this fruit and veg? Smoothies are one easy way to pack loads of nutrition into a single glass, and as the weather gets frostier, soups and curries are both healthy and hearty. A shot of apple cider vinegar in the morning is another trick to maintaining gut health (the real key to wellbeing!)
6. Invest in an all-weather wardrobe.
Autumn weather can be hard to predict, and it’s all too easy to cancel an adventure outdoors in the face of a shower or cold snap. One way to keep calm and carry on (more comfortably!) is by ensuring you have the right clothing for any forecast. After all, as the Scandinavians say: “there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing.” And they should know!
7. Turn routine into ritual.
We don’t need to tell you that, when it comes to fitness and wellbeing, consistency is key. And now the lazy days of summer holidays are well and truly over, there’s no excuse. That said: having a routine doesn’t mean non-stop discipline and a relentless internal monologue. It’s all about including enjoyable things, so you feel you’re getting the right balance of activity and enjoyment.
For instance, invest in a Theragun or roller and add a weekly home massage to your recovery (or treat yourself to a professional one). Grab a shaker for your tasty supplements to boost your energy before or after a workout. Make a playlist full of mood-lifting tunes to keep you motivated on your run, or listen to one of our rebel playlists! You can also simply make time for a candle-lit bath and herbal tea to wind down before bed. The little things we tend to think of as indulgences are actually essential to our health and happiness, so make sure to factor them into your life. You deserve it!