Gyms are always busier when the new year hits, especially with everyone having their own goals and the "new year, new me" mentality.
Fitness instructors say if you're someone who works out consistently, when newcomers are joining the gym, you should try to be the reason they stay, not the reason they leave. because the gym can be an intimidating place.
The instructors say to be welcoming, inviting and make it fun.
Mike Fitzsimmons, the Personal Training Athletic Director at Parkway Athletic Club breaks it down into three sections for how to stay healthier in the new year.
“Number one create smaller goals," says Fitzsimmons. "I like to call them micro goals. You might have the daunting task to lose 25 or 50 pounds for 2024 and, like I said, that’s daunting. Focus on the next five or 10 pounds in front of you. Start there.”
The second thing Fitzsimmons recommends is to create accountability, whether that be with a workout partner or a personal trainer. Create help to sustain you to stick to your goals.
“Number 3, and lastly, keep it variable," Fitzsimmons adds. "Keep the body guessing. If the body’s guessing it’s probably growing, so mix up the exercises. Keep it fun and keep it awesome.”
He says the majority of clients who come into the gym during the new year are looking to lose weight, but he says to attain your weight loss goals, you have to create healthy habits.
“If you create healthy habits and create that consistency then the goals will come there for after,” he says.
He says the main thing people should be focusing on is time.
“Time is one thing that we can’t create more of, that we can’t buy back, and investing in your health ultimately does buy you more time,” he adds.
For those who are busy who have fitness goals, who may not think they have enough time in the day to accomplish those goals, Fitzsimmons says to make working out non-negotiable for yourself.
“Make it something you cannot bend on, right? Like brushing your teeth in the morning," says Fitzsimmons. "You wouldn’t stop doing that tomorrow, would you? So, equate exercise almost over to that degree.”
