Whether you’re training for a marathon, heading to the gym or playing five-a-side football, a good book could be one of the most powerful tools in your fitness kit.
New research released this week by GLL, the social enterprise that operates Better leisure centres across the Borough of Bedford, has revealed that reading delivers a wide range of benefits for people who exercise regularly, from improving sleep and recovery to boosting focus, motivation and sporting performance.
Commissioned to mark the National Year of Reading 2026, the survey shows that active Brits are increasingly turning to books as a way to recharge both body and mind after exercise.
Nearly two thirds (64%) of physically active adults in the East of England say reading helps reduce stress and anxiety, while over a quarter (26%) say it helps them switch off and recover after exercise. A further 26% say it improves focus and concentration, and 11% say it boosts motivation.
The findings suggest that reading is far more than a relaxing pastime. For many people, it plays a key role in their sporting lives.
Nearly one in five (19%) active adults in the East of England say reading helps them recover mentally after sport, while around one in six (16%) report that reading motivates them.
Reading helps active people recover better
When it comes to recovery, reading appears to have a clear advantage over scrolling through phones and social media feeds.
More than seven in ten active adults (71%) in the region read in the evening before bed, with four in ten (40%) saying it helps improve their sleep and recovery. More than a quarter (26%) say it helps them switch off after exercise.
In Bedford and the wider East of England, nearly four in ten active adults (39%) spend over 10 hours a month reading, highlighting the important role books play in supporting healthy lifestyles.
GLL Partnership Manager Nicola Wood said:
“Our research shows that active people are already discovering the powerful connection between reading and wellbeing. Whether it’s helping people unwind after exercise, improve their focus or support better recovery, reading has benefits that extend far beyond the page.
“Through our partnership with the National Year of Reading 2026, we want to make it easier than ever for people to discover how reading can support both their physical and mental wellbeing.”
David Hayman, Campaign Director, National Year of Reading 2026 added:
“We are delighted to welcome GLL as an official partner of the National Year of Reading 2026. As the biggest reading campaign in a generation, our mission is to inspire people everywhere to rediscover the joy of reading and make it part of everyday life.
“We’re encouraging people to read into their interests – whether that’s football, running, swimming, cycling or going to the gym. Reading helps people deepen their connection with the things they love, while also delivering benefits for wellbeing, confidence and learning. We’re excited to share those benefits with GLL’s members across the UK.”
