Fall is one of our favorite seasons for many reasons. The holidays are great — Halloween is fun and Thanksgiving dinner is treasured by many. The leaves change colors, and the landscape is beautiful. But with all of the seasonal changes, you may find it to be difficult to participate in the same fitness activities you have been from the summer months. Here are some ways you can not only continue your exercise throughout fall, but also make it fun and interesting.

Take Advantage of Autumn Weather

Fall is a beautiful time of year, where it’s often not too hot and not too cold. Generally, it’s a comfortable humidity. With winter right around the corner, make sure to get the most out of working outside while it’s still nice out. We suggest a seasonal jog or bike ride or simply doing your normal workouts (like a HIIT or yoga routine) outside.

What a way to capture the spirit of autumn — spending a day with the changing leaves and comfortable weather.

There are few better ways to do that than go hiking. Not only is it a great workout, but you’re also spending time in nature and fully taking in the unique changes that fall brings. What a way to capture the spirit of autumn — spending a day with the changing leaves and comfortable weather. If you have scenic hikes or trails nearby, it can be a nice change of pace to your normal workout routine to spend the day safely hiking. You’ll be so engrossed in the hiking that you won’t even notice the exercise you’re getting.

You can make it a multiple-day hike by turning it into a camping trip. Fall is an excellent time to go camping that turns an active pastime like hiking into a fun vacation. Just make sure that you’re following proper planning and safety guidelines so your trip stays fun.

Dress for the Weather

Depending on how early or late in the season you’re exercising, autumn may feel more like summer or winter. The average temperature can vary by around 20 degrees from September to November. It can even fluctuate during the day, going from mild and warm to brisk and overcast quickly. A brisk autumnal run can be quite nice, but when that’s interrupted by a fall shower, it can become quite unpleasant. This can force you to vary your fall exercise outfit depending on the weather that day, or hour.

We suggest dressing in layers with a light coat that you can remove once you warm up.

The mild temperature can make it tough to know exactly what to wear to work out. When you first set out on a run, the 65°F day may be cool enough for a light sweater, but once you get going, it can quickly become too hot. On the flipside, if you plan for it to get warmer, your initial exercise may be uncomfortably cool. To avoid this, we suggest dressing in layers with a light coat that you can remove once you warm up. A pair of leggings or jogging pants may also be a nice addition, as long as they breathe to keep you comfortable underneath. Just make sure to check the weather and dress accordingly before you head outside.

Know When to Stay Indoors

It’s not always going to be good weather to exercise outside. There will be times when it’s rainy or just too cold, and that’s okay. To account for the changing weather of the fall season, have a backup plan. If you’re planning workouts or physical activities ahead, check the weather in advance.

Whatever your solution, the goal is to be flexible so that no matter what happens, you can be consistent in your exercise.

Whether you’re planning ahead or just going for a run, having a backup option available can help your fitness journey from being derailed if the weather isn’t cooperating. If you have the resources and space, you could get equipment to build a home gym or sign up for a gym membership. If the gym isn’t something you’d be interested in, we’ve covered a few equipment-free exercises that you can do in a limited space. Whatever your solution, the goal is to be flexible so that no matter what happens, you can be consistent in your exercise. Just make sure to give yourself some rest days occasionally. They’re just as important as your active days!

Get Festive With It

Of course, a great way to make your workouts more fun is to take advantage of the multitude of festive-themed events that occur this time of year. Any of these can give a fun twist to your regular workout, which could give you a nice boost if your routine has started to feel a bit stale.

Halloween, and the season around it, has many opportunities to get moving that are still fun! There’s pumpkin picking, corn mazes, Halloween fun runs, and more. Even less Halloween-themed activities like apple picking are perfect this time of year.

Halloween, and the season around it, has many opportunities to get moving that are still fun!

Halloween isn’t the only holiday or seasonal event in fall. Thanksgiving is a popular time of year to host fun runs. You’ve got to work off that turkey somehow! Fall is also the start of the NFL season and the perfect excuse to join a tailgating party or play some football with friends. In fact, this time of year is great to play sports for the same reasons the weather is great to exercise on your own.

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Fall is a great time of year for anyone on a fitness journey since the weather is nice and you have ways to spice up your workouts, so they stay interesting and exciting. Being able to get the most out of your exercise routine is key to getting fitter and healthier, no matter your current fitness. By using the benefits of the season to your advantage, you’ll be more likely to stay consistent and have fun.