(Facebook/SpaFit by Linda)

By Angie Rolheiser

2021 goals

More fitness-focused new year’s resolutions happening at home

Jan 6, 2021 | 12:56 PM

The number of those wanting to work on their fitness and health for their new year’s resolutions is still high but less are physically going into the gym.

Linda Madraga with SpaFit by Linda in Melfort said the decrease can be chalked up to restrictions in place due to the pandemic.

Gym goers need to wear masks while working out and maintain nine-feet from others. Madraga said they are still able to offer classes but are limited to participants.

“We are a maximum of eight allowed in classes and that includes the instructor and they are first-come first-serve,” Madraga said.

It’s not that people are not wanting to hit the gym but are being a bit leery with COVID-19 still being out there.

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“It’s not the usual January rush but is still fairly steady so I do have positive thoughts going ahead,” Madraga said.

The gym equipment is rotated daily to give everyone a chance on the machines safely each day and SpaFit has three different large workout areas making capacity less of an issue.

Gym members have voiced some frustration about the restrictions but most are understanding and supportive of the government mandate, Madraga said.

“Stay safe, follow the rules, so we can stay open and all get through this together,” Madraga said.

Personal trainer in Melfort Katana Bednarz said she has more inquiries in her fitness challenges because they are home-based.

(submitted photo/Katana Bednarz)

“In 2020, I spent a lot of time focusing on helping people workout from home as I know even for myself it was more convenient with working from home and having my kids home from school,” Bendarz said.

With the arrival of the new year, Bednarz has a lot of people ready to go for her upcoming Katana B Fitness eight-week challenge but not necessarily more than at the beginning of 2020.

(submitted photo/Katana Bednarz)

“I have a very good crew of men and women who join me year-round now and have committed to working on their health for the long run,” Bednarz said.

However, with the factors of the pandemic leaving more people working from home and limiting their social life, it may be more important than ever to begin a fitness routine.

“I know for many people it does mentally help them get through the tough times and those tough times have been long in 2020 and now going into 2021,” Bednarz said. “Fitness not only helps you physically feel and look good but it is huge if you find yourself constantly feeling down.”

She suggests if anyone is ever in a low time in life or just can’t get out of a slump, give a workout a try or reach out for some health and fitness guidance.

Britt Meyers with Renew U Fitness recently opened a women’s only training studio in the Wellness Centre in Melfort but due to restrictions hasn’t been able to operate at full capacity yet.

“The new year is definitely a popular time in the health/fitness industry for a fresh start and creating goals, but I wouldn’t say it’s as busy as maybe it would be in a normal year,” Meyers said. “Although I do think people have realized more than ever this past -year that they need to make their health a priority in order to show up as their best self and for their overall wellbeing.”

As for the term resolution, Meyers doesn’t necessarily agree with that particular mindset and simply advocates for creating healthy habits year-round.

“Unless you have the habit established, the resolution will seem too far out of reach,” Meyers said. “I encourage my clients to start by building one habit at a time, once you feel like you’re in a solid routine, try to implement something else.”

She said she advises starting small with a 30-minute walk outside each day, for example.

Meyers said people tend to set a big goal to begin with rather than setting small goals that can lead to that big end goal. Creating an action plan is the key to getting there.

“Establish smaller goals and habits to get you there, that you can celebrate along the way to the big end goal,” Meyers said.

(Facebook/Renew U Fitness Lifestyle Coach)

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser