“I never deprive myself”: Alex Scott on her exercise routine, fuelling her workouts and her go-to gym outfits

Alex Scott for M&S Goodmove

Credit: M&S Goodmove

Strong Women


“I never deprive myself”: Alex Scott on her exercise routine, fuelling her workouts and her go-to gym outfits

By Lauren Geall

29 days ago

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5 min read

M&S activewear ambassador Alex Scott MBE tells Strong Women all about her exercise routine – including her approach to dressing for the gym.


You can always rely on Alex Scott to look incredible. Whether she’s presenting BBC Sports Personality Of The Year or interviewing players pitchside at a Women’s Super League match, she always delivers a standout outfit and make-up look. It’s hard to imagine she ever spent her days getting hot and sweaty on a football pitch.

But while she might have hung up her boots when she retired from professional football back in 2017, she still loves nothing more than moving her body, ideally during an intense HIIT session or a gentle walk with friends.

“I absolutely love going for a walk,” she explains. “It’s that moment when I can either listen to a podcast and learn something or catch up with friends and family who I haven’t seen in a while. And I know being outdoors changes my mood significantly as well.” 

It’s this taste for different forms of exercise that inspired her latest collaboration with M&S, a brand for which Scott is an activewear ambassador. As part of M&S’s January wellness campaign, she picked three key looks: one each for hiking, running and yoga. For Scott, it’s a reminder not only of how important balance is when it comes to training, but also how big an impact the kit you wear to exercise can have on your workout.

“You need to feel comfortable in what you are wearing at the gym, and that doesn’t necessarily mean wearing tight leggings and a tight top,” she says. “Whether you prefer to throw on a baggier top and a nice legging or wear something that’s tight to your skin and allows for better movement, it should be about what suits you and being your most authentic self.”

Of course, getting dressed for a workout is only the first piece of the puzzle. Finding the motivation to get out there – and ensuring you’re well prepped to do so – is the challenging part. So, how does Scott do it? And what are her top tips for sticking to a routine? We asked her all this and more – here’s what she had to say. 


What impact does exercise have on your health and wellbeing?

A big impact. If I’ve not moved my body for a couple of days – if I’ve not been eating right or not been to the gym – my energy is low and my mood is very different to when I’m working out regularly. When I do exercise regularly, I feel like I have more energy, my mood is more upbeat and positive and my outlook is a lot different.

How big a role does exercise play in your routine?

Exercise plays a huge role in my daily routine: it sets me up for the day ahead. It also allows me to be selfish and take time for myself before I have to give myself to other people, for example switching on for TV or responding to emails.

How do you make time for exercise in your busy routine?

Because I know how important exercise is for me, I make time. It’s very easy to make excuses, but prioritising what’s important and organising my day to make sure I do something sets me up for a better day and gives me a better outcome when it comes to my work.  

Alex Scott for M&S Goodmove

Credit: M&S Goodmove

What does your current exercise routine look like?

My routine varies a lot. I am a big fan of high-intensity exercise, so I take a lot of HIIT classes because I like to feel the sweat and that burn; it’s something my body craves, probably because of my time as an athlete. But I also make sure to switch it up and I enjoy going for a nice long walk when it’s not too freezing cold outside.

What are your top tips for staying motivated to work out?

Know why you are going to work out in the first place. Is it the social element? If you find motivation from going with your friends, book a class that’s upbeat and fun with them instead of going by yourself. Do you have a specific goal, like improving your health? If that’s the case, know that there’s no such thing as instant success – it takes time.

How do you go about fuelling your workouts?

Fuelling comes down to the individual. For me, I like to work out first thing in the morning, so I normally have a huge breakfast after the gym. It’s important not to deprive yourself of anything – everything is fine in moderation. My breakfast usually involves scrambled eggs, avocados, toast, spinach – all those sorts of things. I never deprive myself, and I love it. And one thing that’s important no matter what is staying hydrated. I drink a lot of water throughout the day. 

What are your favourite pieces from the new M&S Goodmove collection?

One of my favourite looks from the new M&S Goodmove collection is the head-to-toe burgundy look I wore for the campaign shoot. The Go Balance leggings and sports bra are perfect for slower days when I’m concentrating on mobility and flexibility training, and the fleece is the ideal throwover for travelling to and from the gym or studio. From the use of print and colour to the innovative fabrics, it not only looks good but stands up performance-wise – and the comfort level and fit are also spot on.

The collection has plenty of colour – do you often reach for colourful pieces when you exercise? 

I love that the new range has a lot of colour. I think popping on a range of colours in the gym can instantly change your mood. But equally, I sometimes like it when my workout sets are all the same colour, as that can look very slick. I like to switch it up to keep people on their toes. 


Images: M&S Goodmove

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