The New Year’s fitness resolutions we’re making at Fit&Well

Whatever you think of New Year’s resolutions, it’s hard not to consider making a change at the turn of the year. We’re not immune to that at Fit&Well—even the team member who doesn’t like making resolutions because they can make you feel bad if you don't achieve them had a laundry list of changes to make and new things they intended to try.

In case you’re in need of inspiration, or are just intrigued as to what people who spend the year interviewing experts on health and fitness topics decide to spend their time doing, I asked the team and the network of regular contributors what their New Year resolutions are for 2026.

Resolution: Get back to deadlifting

Jonathan Shannon

Last year I decided to cut down on my expenses for a time, so I cancelled my gym membership. It was a shame because the previous summer I had worked with a PT to learn how to deadlift and had been reaping the rewards of lifting heavier than I could at home. This year I plan to start again, once the January rush slows down.

Resolution: Run a 5K

Ruth Gaukrodger

I’m due to have my second baby in mid-January. I haven't been running throughout this pregnancy because of some joint issues, but I'm longing to get back to it! Once I've been given the all-clear to exercise, I'm planning on following the NHS Couch-to-5K plan to slowly reintroduce my body to this high-impact exercise, with my ultimate goal being to run a full 5K in whatever time it takes me. Alongside this, I'll be doing some low-impact strength training, so that my muscles and joints feel good when I run.

Resolution: Try a new sport

Lou Mudge

My New Year’s fitness resolutions are to build functional fitness and new, transferable skills. I’ve recently moved house and am now right by a bouldering centre and archery club, so am going to try both and purchase memberships if I enjoy them (and work on my dream of becoming Mrs. Legolas). Other than that, I plan to lift heavier weights to support my bones and pack more steps into each day to support my heart!

Resolution: Go to bed on time

Sam Rider

My 2026 fitness resolution is to establish a consistent bedtime (before midnight) every day of the week. It's a deadline I've regularly missed for the past 20-plus years and one I'm starting to seriously feel and notice visibly. Get this right and I’m certain a cascade of physical and mental benefits will fall into place, not least getting up earlier to exercise and stop missing workouts, finding more time to play and hang out with my two-year-old son in the morning, starting work earlier, finishing work earlier, and reclaiming more time in the evening to cook, read, stretch and down regulate.

Resolution: Sign up for a new fitness challenge

Alice Porter

I’m all about doing exercise that I enjoy and feels good, so I generally don’t set myself big goals so long as I'm moving my body regularly. However, I've started to feel unmotivated with cardio, so my resolution for 2026 is to sign up to some sort of fitness challenge that I need to train for. I don't like running as I have a pesky knee injury that never really goes away, so I'm looking for something different—perhaps a cycling or swimming race!

Resolution: Add agility training to my routine

Devinder Bains

Since I hit my 40s, I’ve stayed consistent with my strength, mobility and cardio training but I’ve let agility training fall by the wayside. My plan for next year is to introduce drills that focus on my ability to quickly change direction and use explosive power. These exercises will help me combat age-related muscle loss and increase bone density, enhance coordination and reaction time, and improve balance and functional mobility.

Resolution: Find my new strong

Yanar Alkayat

Two years ago, a bulging disc in my lower spine forced me to stop all CrossFit and Olympic lifting training and competitions. Since then, my fitness has looked very different—focusing solely on rehab, recovery and rebuilding my core to support my spine. This year, as recovery progresses, I'll be stepping up my training, but I won't be chasing old personal bests or past fitness achievements. I want to return to pull-ups and other bodyweight strength work, but without the high-intensity element. My goal is to find new ways to rebuild strength that align with where my body is now, not where it was then.

Resolution: Get outdoors

Maddy Biddulph

My New Year fitness resolutions are to increase my daily steps, learn how to play tennis and dedicate a minimum of five minutes a day to mobility. I also want to make time to do more outdoor exercise—hiking in the Welsh mountains where my best friends live, cold water swimming in the lake near my house and cycling with my boyfriend.