Get fit in 2023: A beginner’s guide to finding fitness and achieving your goals

Getting fit can be daunting but the first step is often the hardest; the next tough tackle will be maintaining momentum and keeping your mojo while you work towards your goals.

Here, Sean Thornton, owner of the 3-1-5 Health Club in Lancaster, has put together his beginner’s guide to a healthy, fresh start to 2023 that’s doable whatever your fitness level – even if you are a complete novice in any kind of exercise.

Realistic goals

We can often psych ourselves out of a fitness success story by aiming too high, or overwhelming ourselves by the length of the journey. Set achievable mini-goals and you’ll find them easier to stick to.

Top tip: Micro goals include things like: ‘I plan to attend at least one gym class a week’, ‘I hope to lose a pound a week on average in weight’ or even ‘I want to spend less time on the couch and simply move more’. These are all much more achievable than ‘I want to run a marathon’, and they will play a vital part in your own personal success story.

Make your membership a year-long one

As many as 12 per cent of new gym sign-ups happen in January, when people are inspired to begin fitness regimes with New Year resolutions. But ‘fast fix’ thinking rarely works out longer term, so focus on where you want to be in a year, not what you want to do this month, and set yourself a longer term goal. Why not make the first goal saving yourself money?

Top tip: There are always brilliant deals on offer from late December into January. At 3-1-5 Health Club we have 20 per cent of selected annual memberships with no joining fee, up until December 31. That’s all access, all year round, paying 20 per cent less for the full year.

Exercise doesn’t have to be lonely

The gym can be anything you want it to be – your own oasis of peace away from a busy work or home life, or the social circle with people just like you. You don’t have to be a set age, size or fitness level to become a member, there’s inspiration, motivation and encouragement for every newbie.

Top tip: We have classes for all ages and stages, from baby gym right up to classes for 90-years-olds. Whether you want to go solo lifting weights, team up with a personal trainer or enjoy the camaraderie of a class, there will be something suitable for beginners just like you.

Value for money

Everyone is watching the pennies as 2022 moves into 2023, and a gym membership can offer fantastically good value over pay-as-you-go fitness. Make sure you sign up before December 2022 for the end-of-year offer, 20 per cent off annual memberships (terms and conditions apply) and no joining fee. For full information, see www.3-1-5.co.uk