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Northland��gyms and fitness centres are gearing up for an onslaught of new members who made New Year’s resolutions to better themselves by getting stronger, fitter and healthier.����

While in early January many people are still in holiday mode, by the end of the month��gyms usually experience an influx of new members��which peaks in February when the kids have gone back to school and people are back in their routines.��

But research shows many people who join a gym will drop out, and gyms will see a decrease in traffic after the first few months of the year.��

The��Northern Advocate��spoke to several gym owners, fitness centre managers and a health coach to find out how to stick with it.��

Whangārei Aquatic Centre assistant manager and gym co-ordinator Mo Taylor said while the pool was at “full capacity” from December through January, gym memberships were a different ball game.��

Taylor, who has worked at the centre for 23 years, said gym membership sales usually “take a dive” in December, but January’s New Year’s resolutions “see them start ticking over again”.��

“You get a few new faces in,” he said.��

Mo Taylor said the key to sticking with a new fitness regime is consistency and staying true to your original goals. Photo / Michael Cunningham��

Of the newbies, about 50 per cent will continue to use the gym, while the other half drop off, Taylor said.��

Taylor’s advice for sticking with a new fitness regime is “consistency”.��

“Stay consistent, get a year-long programme written up and have regular programme changes to keep you motivated.��

“Make sure you’re doing the right things to stay motivated. Ask yourself ‘what was your original goal to get started’?.��

“What was the reason that made you join up in the first place? Stay true to that.��

“It’s not a short-term fix it’s a lifetime fix.”��

Gary-John Hill, from The Fitness Lab in Kerikeri, said new members should get advice from a trainer and not be afraid to ask questions.��

Gary-John Hill, from The Fitness Lab in Kerikeri, said there is “definitely” an influx of people joining the gym at this time of year.��

There are also older members who haven’t been for a while, who are suddenly more consistent.��

The best thing new members can do is “set achievable goals”, Hill said.��

“A lot of people say they want to turn up five or six times a week. That’s hard to maintain.��

“Aim for something smaller, like two to three days a week and you’ll feel better.��

“They’re small wins. Even just turn up and do something you want to do, even if it’s 20 minutes, you build from there.”��

Hill said it’s important to set time aside for gym workouts and make it a priority.��

Even if you don’t feel like it, encourage yourself to go, he said.��

“You’ll never have a crap gym session; you always walk away feeling good about yourself.”��

New members should get advice from a trainer and not be afraid to ask questions, Hill said.��

“It’s like being in school. Don’t be afraid to be a beginner. It’s ok not to know things.��

“You don’t need to go hard out straight away.��

“By building slowly in intensity and weights you learn more about yourself along the way.”��

Whangārei health and wellbeing coach Sarah Trass said for any resolutions, knowing why you’re doing them is key.��

Whangārei health and wellbeing coach Sarah Trass said knowing why you’re making any resolutions is key to sticking at them.��

“It’s easy for people to pick things they think they should be doing.��

“Things like they need to work on their health or go to the gym are common ones.��

“But taking a little bit of time and going deeper about why you want to focus on that, and what will it enable you to do?��

“Maybe it’s because you’ll feel stronger, or you can do those walks you always wanted to do.��

“Ask ‘what does that look like?’ There might be other things you can do to help you feel stronger or walk for longer.”��

Another way to keep resolutions is reflecting on your values, Trass said.��

“I always get clients to assess what in life they really value, and what would help them align with that.��

“I find those goals are fun because you’re moving toward things you want.”��

Trass agrees breaking goals into bite-sized pieces is a good idea.��

“That’s why some people stop, they go full bore right away with a goal.��

“Stop and think what are smaller steps ... instead of going hard out straight away. That makes the goal more achievable across the year and it’s more sustainable.”��

How to stay motivated��

* Be consistent��

* Keep your original reason for joining the gym in mind��

* Set time aside for gym workouts and prioritise them��

* Start slowly and increase frequency and intensity��

* Don’t be afraid to ask gym staff questions��

* Have regular programme changes��

Jenny Ling is a news reporter and features writer for the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering health, roading, lifestyle, business and animal welfare issues.��