Britain’s Endless Rain Sparks Fitness Slump: Over a Third of Adults Exercising Less Than Ever
2 March 2026
Endless Rain Sparks Fitness Slump
After 40 days and 40 nights of consecutive rain across parts of the UK, Britain’s relentlessly wet start to 2026 is being blamed for a nationwide fitness slump.
New research from Vitality has revealed that over a third of adults (38%) have been exercising far less than usual this year due to the miserable conditions, while almost three in ten say that have almost given up on working out altogether (29%).
With recent improvements after weeks of grey skies, dark mornings and near-constant drizzle, now is the time to get back to our fitness routines, especially as over half (58%) said their motivation to exercise had been washed away by the rain, while a further half (53%) agree that their usual exercise routines have been disrupted.
Almost half of Brits (46%) have skipped a walk, run or workout because of wet weather, and the same proportion say their overall fitness has declined after spending more time indoors and moving less.
The impact extends into everyday activity too. Over half (55%) admit to having walked less and used the car more - even for short trips like school runs or commutes, while nearly a quarter (23%) have been relying on deliveries instead of heading out to the shops, often leading to more fast food and less healthy choices.
This comes as 63% of Brits say this has been one of the worst starts to a year for weather they can remember, with three quarters feeling as though it has rained almost every day since January began (75%).
And the washout weather has done more than just ruin plans and impact fitness levels - it’s taking a toll on the nation’s mental health. As dark, cold and rain-soaked days drag on, nearly one in three adults reported feeling persistently tired (32%), and low in mood (31%). Alarmingly, almost one in five (19%) say the gloominess has left them feeling outright sad, and one in ten feeling anxious (11%).
With lighter evenings and better weather on the horizon, Vitality is encouraging people to use the change in seasons as a chance to reset habits and build daily movement back into their routines to support both mental and physical wellbeing.
Dr Marie Edison, at Vitality Health, says: “The recent wet weather may have had a negative impact on our motivation to get out and about, but our bones, joints and muscles are designed to move. Staying active isn’t about extreme workouts, it’s about regular movement that keeps the body strong, flexible and resilient as we age. Small, consistent habits can make a real difference to long term musculoskeletal health.
The key to progress is habit - find a form of exercise you can keep doing. When motivation drops and routines are disrupted for weeks at a time, it’s very easy for activity levels to fall away. That doesn’t just affect structured workouts - it reduces everyday movement too, from walking short distances to choosing the stairs. Over time, those small reductions can have a real impact on both physical fitness and mood. The arrival of lighter evenings gives people a natural opportunity to rebuild those habits gradually and restore daily step counts without needing to make drastic changes.”