When it comes to fitness-related New Year’s resolutions, breaking them has become almost as customary as making them. Twin Cities-area strength coach Carl Champion notes that about 80% of people who sign up for a gym membership in January are no longer attending by midyear.
“Inspiration is fleeting, and motivation comes in waves,” Champion explains. “What you really need is intent. You need a plan.”
The idea of a “new year, new you” isn’t new, but with two decades of experience, Champion has learned that there is no universal fitness plan. The more tailored the plan is to your needs, the better your chances of success.
Champion suggests considering whether a goal is something you can handle on your own or if it requires external support, like an in-person coach or an app to help with accountability.
Health and fitness, like anything else in life, vary from person to person. What works for your friend or partner may not work for you.
“It’s a lot of trial and error at first,” says Champion. “Some people can work out great at home, but for me, I need to keep my gym life separate from my home life. The most important thing is just to get started.”
The first step doesn’t have to be drastic or costly. “You can begin by trying home workouts. If they don’t seem effective, then consider exploring gyms. If gyms feel intimidating or you’re unsure about what to do, that’s when partnering with a coach or joining a community or support group can help keep you consistent,” he suggests.
Champion points out that the most common fear is embarrassment in the gym. His advice? Try different gyms for a week or two to get comfortable with each one.
One positive change that came from COVID, Champion says, is the improvement in home workouts. “Fitness equipment manufacturers found ways to make gear more ergonomically suitable for home use and more efficient in terms of space,” he adds.
It’s also helpful to schedule workouts in a calendar and stick to each session.
For those aiming to start 2025 on a strong note, Champion recommends doing research on coaches or gyms in the last few weeks of December.
“You don’t need to do anything fancy or follow the latest TikTok or Instagram challenge. The key is getting into a mindset where you understand the work that needs to be done and just show up to do it. That’s how you make progress.”