At the start of a new year, we tend to have a lot of urges to make changes to our lives. The traditional “new year, new me” spirit inspires us to make resolutions related to fitness and health. If you have resolutions such as “work out more,” “start running,” or the classic “eat better,” you are definitely not alone.
However, the sad reality is that we give up on such resolutions quite soon. It is no surprise that we forget about them by the middle of January, which is called “Quitter’s Day.” It is not the lack of motivation to stick to the resolutions that leads to their failure. Rather, it is the unrealistic nature of the resolutions we make.
Instead of making resolutions to completely change our lives, it would be better to make resolutions to build habits into our routine. Fitness resolutions should not interfere with our routine, but rather make it better.
To help you make fitness resolutions that work, we have contacted several fitness experts, including personal trainers, who work with celebrities, to help you make fitness resolutions that work in 2026.
Here are ten fitness resolutions you can make to have a better life in 2026.
1. Drop the All-or-Nothing Mindset
Katie Austin is a fitness coach and entrepreneur. She has stated that it would be better to avoid setting extremely strict fitness resolutions at the start of a new year. It is no surprise that we tend to start the new year with extremely strict resolutions such as cutting sugar completely or working out every single day.
However, such resolutions do not work in the long run. Instead, she has stated that it would be better to build habits into our routine. For instance, if you are currently working out for 20 minutes a day, it would not be a great idea to suddenly start working out for an hour every single day. It would be better to add 10 minutes to the workout routine every day.
2. Quality over Quantity
According to yoga instructor Kirra Michel, mindful movement should be the priority in 2026. This means that instead of adding more activities to an already busy schedule, it is important to consider the quality of movement. This means that even with changes, proper techniques are more beneficial than rushing through the workout with poor techniques. The gains in this case are not about the number of calories burned but rather the strength and connection to the body.
3. Break Workouts into Shorter Segments
Trainer Anja Garcia explains that life is unpredictable and that long periods of workout are not possible. According to Anja, it is important to do what you can with the time you have. This means breaking down the workout into smaller periods in the course of the day.
According to Anja, it is not possible to do a workout in its entirety, but it is possible to do what you can with the time available. Anja has learned this from experience and states that even with short periods, the workout adds up to something beneficial in the end.
4. Listen to Your Energy
Tone House coach Brittany Watts explains that consistency is key rather than the intensity of the workout. This means that instead of pushing yourself to do an intense workout every time, it is important to consider the body and its needs. This means that instead of an intense workout, some days are appropriate for strength while others are appropriate for mobility and stretches. This helps in creating a balanced and healthy relationship with workout routines.
5. Do a Weekly Self Check-In
Olivia Amato, a fitness instructor, suggests taking a few minutes of the week for a fast mental and physical assessment. Ask yourself: “How do I feel physically right now? What is my energy level like? Do I need to take it easy or can I step up the intensity?” This reflection helps you customize your plan based on the week because everyone has different needs. To make this reflection stick, you can add this as a reminder on your phone and write down something quickly.
6. Target Four Workouts a Week
Heather Andersen is a co-founder of New York Pilates and believes that aiming to do four workouts a week is both achievable and effective for most people. That’s about 200 workouts per year and is sure to result in improvements in strength, posture, and fitness levels. Having a few weeks off is not a problem when aiming for four workouts per week.
7. Build Micro Habits
According to strength coach Jenn Lau, it is important to start small and aim to build habits instead of making drastic life changes. A short walk after lunch, a short morning yoga practice, and a short evening meditation practice are just a few examples of habits that can be good for health and energy levels and can be gradually increased as a habit becomes a norm.
8. Set Goals That Build on Each Other
Katie Wang is a trainer and believes that it is important to have goals that build on one another. If you aim to run a marathon, start by aiming to run one mile per week and then aim to run 30 minutes without stopping. Having a series of short-term goals for a few months, medium-term goals for a year, and long-term goals for the future is important.
9. Choose Activities You Enjoy
Sami Clarke, a fitness entrepreneur, emphasizes the importance of doing activities that bring a sense of pleasure. If you enjoy activities like yoga, dancing, weightlifting, or even cycling, it will become easier to maintain your routine. It will no longer become a chore, but something to look forward to.
10. Reconnect with Your Personal Motivation
Yoga teacher Jessica Skye believes that going back to your personal motivation can make a huge difference in your ability to maintain your routine. When your motivation is low, going back to your personal motivations, like improving your mental health, having more energy, or becoming stronger, will surely make a difference.
In the end, it’s not about making drastic resolutions or coming up with the perfect plan. It’s about finding a resolution that perfectly complements your life. By doing so, it will become much easier to stay consistent with your routine throughout the year.
