Having fun with fitness could motivate Brits to exercise more, new BHF survey suggests

A quarter of Brits say their top fitness goal this spring and summer is simply to have fun and enjoy themselves, our recent survey found.

We surveyed 4537 adults from across the UK about their fitness goals and beliefs. The most popular fitness goal for spring and summer 2026 was revealed as 'maintaining fitness', with 30 per cent of respondents selecting this answer. Having fun and enjoying themselves came in second, with a quarter (24 per cent) agreeing this was their main aim.

However, the survey also revealed that old habits die hard - as doing exercise that burns the most calories was revealed as the nation's third most popular fitness goal, with 14 per cent of the respondents selecting this answer.

Despite this, almost 7 in 10 (68 per cent) of the respondents agree there is too much emphasis on how exercise makes you look, versus doing it for enjoyment. In addition, 70 per cent agreed that if they focused more on having fun with fitness, they would be more motivated to stick with it.

Make movement something you look forward to

Research suggests that being physically active, including regular exercise, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 35 per cent. However, it is estimated that 33 per cent of UK adults do not meet physical activity recommendations, which generally suggest aiming for the equivalent of 150-minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week, analysis of latest UK health survey data suggests.

BHF Senior Cardiac Nurse Emily McGrath said: "Exercise is really important when it comes to taking care of your heart health. Research shows that getting 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week can significantly cut your risk of heart disease, yet many people aren't.

"Focusing on having fun and enjoying yourself could be the motivation so many of us need to fall in love with exercise and movement. With the gloom of winter finally over, now is the perfect time to seek some joy and make movement something you love and look forward to."

Hugh Hanley, Personal Training and Fitness Director at PureGym, the UK's largest gym chain and an official partner of the BHF, said: "One of the biggest things we see on the gym floor is that people stick with exercise when they genuinely enjoy it. The industry has often focused heavily on calories burned or how exercise makes you look, but the real key to long-term consistency is finding movement you actually look forward to doing.

"At PureGym we see members succeed when they discover something that makes them feel good, whether that's a class, training with a friend, or working towards a personal challenge. When fitness becomes something people enjoy rather than something they feel they have to do, it's far easier to build habits that last. So this spring and summer, focus less on perfection and more on enjoyment. Try something new, train with others, and make movement something that adds energy to your life. That shift in mindset can be the start of a lifelong relationship with fitness."

Join Team BHF this summer

We hope the findings will encourage more people to make fun their fitness focus this spring and summer, so they can fall in love with the feelgood factor of exercise and even be inspired to sign up to one of BHF's challenge events.

BHF Director of Fundraising Events, Sarah Choudhry, said: "It's fantastic that a quarter of Brits say having fun and enjoying themselves is their top fitness goal this spring and summer. Creating a fun, welcoming and supportive environment for everyone who joins Team BHF and takes part in our challenge events is really important to us. I've seen first-hand many times that, however fast you finish, the sense of achievement when you cross a finish line is incredible.

"Every single person who joins Team BHF is playing a vital role in helping us fund lifesaving cardiovascular research. They are also boosting their own health and wellbeing in the process - and often discovering a passion for fitness too, which can be life-changing."

Find out more about BHF challenge events and join Team BHF