Champneys Health Club, Henlow

If you’re determined for this to be the year that you establish a regular exercise routine, you might be wondering how to form habits you can stick to and enjoy.

If you’re not someone who frequently works out, getting fit can seem intimidating, but taking small steps—perhaps literally!—to build regular movement into your life is achievable for almost everyone.

Remember, exercise is supposed to make you feel energised, not drained. If you’re calling the treadmill ‘the dreadmill’ and spending all day in activewear without making it to that weights class you had pencilled in, you probably haven’t found the right activity for you.

Even the most dedicated runner, cyclist, or gym enthusiast has the odd off day—but almost everyone says they feel better, physically, and mentally, after exercise. Finding the time and motivation isn’t always easy—but at Champneys Health Club, we’re here to help. Our wellbeing coaches offer expert guidance, support, and motivation to help you stay on track, with a vast range of classes to try and personal coaching to help you achieve your individual goals and move in the right direction.

Everyone loves a bit of goal setting, whether those goals exist silently in your head, publicly on social media, or privately in a notebook you bought during a new-year motivation spree. Defining specific goals can provide great focus—as long as you’re being realistic. It’s about focusing on what you can do right now rather than setting a lofty goal like running a marathon or exercising every single day. It’s important to have an end goal to strive for, but many people struggle by choosing something they want but may not have time for, depending on their life stage.

Time is one of the biggest barriers to exercise. Many people feel they’re too busy or have other commitments that make it difficult to fit in regular movement. However, even those who exercise multiple times a week have busy lives—they’ve simply found a way to make it non-negotiable. Self-care isn’t selfish!

Perhaps initially it’s a case of increasing your step count by an average of 1,000 a week, making a monthly date to parkwalk with the family, or cycling to work once a week. When you hit those first realistic goals, you’ll feel motivated for more.

It’s also worth considering your why: you know you want to be more active, but is it because you’re looking to build strength, improve endurance, manage stress, or simply feel fitter? Once you’ve figured that out, it will help you narrow down your options and form a realistic plan.

If you’ve made hating exercise part of your personality, it can be hard to see past this. But there is a form of movement for everyone. Instead of deciding which you hate less—walking, lifting weights, or dancing—think about the different contexts you could do them in that align with your interests and personality.

If you’re a nature lover, it’s a no-brainer to do something outside. If you love your tech, investing in a Peloton could be a great move. If you’re a homebody, trying an at-home workout could be just the thing, while more extroverted types might benefit from joining a gym or class.

At Champneys Health Club, we provide a welcoming and supportive environment where you can explore a variety of classes and training styles to find what truly works for you. Whether it’s a high-energy group workout, a calming yoga session, or personalised coaching to fine-tune your fitness plan, our team is here to help you discover movement that feels right and rewarding.

This article was written in conjunction with Vitality, a Champneys partner.

How to Exercise the Right Way for You