Spin classes, group workouts, and solo fitness activities all get busier as people try to make good on their New Year's resloutions. (S2DIO/Facebook)

By Rob Mahon

Fitness Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions have more people heading to the gym

Jan 12, 2022 | 4:00 PM

As January rolls on, more and more people are starting to get into their New Year’s resolutions in earnest, and many may be finding out how tough the goals they’ve set for themselves actually are.

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions involves personal fitness.

Whether it’s a desire to burn off the extra weight from the holidays or a goal to get stronger, many people take their first steps into gyms and fitness studios in the opening days of a new year. Some of them didn’t wait until 2022 officially began.

“We actually saw a little bit more of an influx at the end of last year,” said Desiree Hesson, owner of The S2DIO in Prince Albert. “So in December we saw a little more of an influx with brand new people, but in the last week we have seen a few new faces roll through the door.”

Gyms can usually rely on an influx of people trying to live up to resolutions this time of year, but in the time of COVID-19, that’s become a bit less certain. The last two years have been marked by the pandemic at that time.

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“Last year we were actually shut down at this time,” Hesson said. “The year before that, it was absolutely crazy and wild. This year, we’re just trying to navigate with COVID and everything like that. It’s not as high as you would anticipate for New Year’s resolutions right now, and I think COVID has something to do with that.”

For those getting into a gym for the first time, it can be an intimidating experience. Hesson views part of her job (one she takes great pride in) as helping new members feel at home.

“It is definitely intimidating,” said Hesson. “We’ve all been there with that first step of where to go, what to do. The fitness industry and the diet industry is extremely overwhelming with a ton of information and in-your-face with quick fixes and stuff like that.”

Not everyone who starts out at the gym stays there throughout the year or even throughout the winter, however. To help make sure your January motivation lasts through the year, Hesson has some tips.

“Keep it simple,” Hesson said. “Everyone tries to jump into a routine or their own fitness journey so hard right off the hop. ‘I’m going to work out seven days a week and I’m only going to eat chicken, rice, and broccoli!’ That’s not attainable, and that’s not sustainable long-term in my opinion. Start small. Start with getting ten thousand steps a day even, start increasing your vegetable intake or your water intake, and really try to get those eight hours of sleep.”

Hesson added people should do their research on both what they’re signing up for and who they’re signing up with if they’re getting started at a new gym.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP