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On January 1, swarms of newbies flock gyms around the country at 8 a.m.
The "New Year, New Me" vibe hangs in the air like thick smoke. The dissatisfaction of the regulars, who are now forced to kneecap supersets out of politeness, is palpable.
New Year's Resolutions are to blame.
You have to admire their ambition to develop and join the club you proudly represent, as much as you dread the January gym rush. (Plus, by mid-February, it'll be whittled down anyway.)
How many of us consider the new year to be a fresh start toward our ideal bodies? To better appreciate the rush, look at these ten New Year's resolve gym statistics.
Fitness-related Google searches rose in January, and gym membership levels increased.
Despite the 40,000-plus gyms dotted around the country, Americans have a history of being physically sedentary. According to studies, up to 80% of us do not receive enough exercise on a weekly basis.
As a result, it's no wonder that we turn to Google for more information about the journey ahead.
Fitness-related searches reached an all-time high in early January. Newcomers will find an abundance of tools to help them learn about workouts, protein supplements, and complex fitness lingo.
However, this huge interest in fitness does not necessarily translate into action. According to the IHRSA, only 10.8% of people will sign up for gym memberships in January.
In comparison, 14.3 percent of all UK inhabitants are members.
Despite having access to a gym 24 hours a day and an increase in motivation, just 18 percent of gym members (about 11 million people) will go on a regular basis.
Fifty percent of people make a resolution to do more exercise.
Physical activity and American culture have a difficult connection, to say the least. The average American walks 4,774 steps per day, which is 1,415 steps less than China, which is ranked first.
Despite this, the nation's health is harmed by more than just a lack of exercise.
Nearly 60% of Americans have a chronic condition, the majority of which are lifestyle diseases that can be managed with regular exercise (i.e., heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity).
Whether it's because of an eye-opening doctor's check-up, family pressure, or post-holiday weight gain, up to 50% of resolution-makers make exercise their top priority.
Of course, for those of us who are "shallower," the race for the ideal physique is fierce. Those aiming to bulk, shred, and get an early start on that summer physique are also part of the January brigade.
By February, 4 out of 5 people have abandoned their fitness routine. Resolutions for the New Year Entirely
The first few weeks of a new regimen are thrilling, and you can't wait to see the changes in the mirror and on the scale. However, by February 4, the majority of your comrades will have gone missing.
The obvious question is, "Why?" There are two reasons for this.
One: Habits are difficult to break and far more difficult to form. It takes 66 days on average for a behavior to become "automatic" (Like clockwork: Wake up, shower, go to the gym, etc.).
Making it to the 66-day milestone, though, is the most difficult challenge of all. By February 4 — day 35 — the thrill of daily workouts, gushing sweat, and sore muscles has faded.
Two: During the first six weeks of weight loss and lifting, results come astonishingly quickly. However, once the body has adjusted to the water loss and increased exercise, you will reach a plateau.
Plateaus are common and easy to conquer, but they are also where many newcomers give up.
4% of people fail to keep their New Year's resolutions while January Is Still Here
Only 20% of New Year's resolutions last beyond February. However, a staggering 4% of people will burn out before the end of January – something that few regulars worry about.
So, why do people quit their resolutions before they have an opportunity to succeed? The most likely explanations, which few are willing to admit, are as follows:
- When the number on the scale doesn't change after a treadmill session, rookies become disappointed.
- The January rush can be stressful, making people who are already anxious feel as though they are being watched.
- Exercise takes a toll on the body, and the soreness and weariness that follows a workout aren't always pleasant.
- Many people feel as though they don't belong even in the presence of serious lifters (Planet Fitness does get one thing right)
New Year's Resolutions are disliked by the majority of gym-goers.
Despite the fact that exercise and weight loss are among the most popular New Year's resolutions, 56 percent of gym goers despise the concept. And you'll understand why if you make friends with your fellow deadlifters.
Resolutions for the New Year are hardly more than well-intentioned customs.
When the clock strikes 12 a.m. on January 1, your thinking and attitude do not magically alter, just as each birthday does not make you more mature.
It takes time to develop a long-term commitment to fitness, and it necessitates continuous drive.
A diagnosis of high blood pressure might sometimes set off that mental dialogue. Sometimes it's a case of hitting rock bottom (e.g., daily McDonald's visits, a depressing mirror reflection).
Fast food restaurants slow down after January 1st, while gym attendance soars.
It's not uncommon for New Year's resolutions to take on an excessive tone when a major lifestyle makeover is on the horizon. As a result, researchers discovered that after January 1:
The number of people visiting fast food restaurants has decreased by 4.6 percent.
Gyms are seeing 6% more people than usual.
The "why?" here is self-evident. Remove processed sugars, excess carbs, sodium, and calories from your diet, and burn fat with a twice-weekly workout plan to achieve a more attractive figure.
But, as it turns out, this burst of willpower is only temporary.
The progressive decline in gym attendance and insatiable Baconator cravings are inextricably linked. By the time February 9 arrives, gym and fast food joint trips had returned to normal.
Gym attendance peaks in the first week of the new year.
New Year's resolutions are notoriously broken early in the year in the United States. However, if there is one somewhat beneficial part of this cultural disaster, it is that Americans quickly press on the throttle.
Gym attendance increases by roughly 6% in the first full week of January. However, the euphoria fades quickly, and barely two weeks into the year, visitorship falls to "normal" levels.
The crowd that persists until the middle of January has the most potential, at least until the middle of March.
By then, attendance had plummeted once again, owing to:
- Easter and other future celebrations
- Tax season is approaching.
- There will be more outdoor events (sporting, kids, gatherings, etc.)
- Fatigue, burnout, or a general dissatisfaction with the grind
The older generation is the most likely to visit the gym on January 1st.
The last thing on your mind if you're a member of the January 2 gym campaign is to sit around and observe your fellow gym-goers. Get in, get out, and hope the crowds thin out the next day.
However, if you pay attention to the details, you'll discover a pattern: the majority of the newcomers are older. The 40-49 (+55%) and 50-59 (+65%) age groups, in particular, are experiencing unprecedented growth.
Nonetheless, this does not imply that older generations are less inspired than you.
Chronic disorders such as diabetes and a slowed metabolism, both of which appear in the early 40s, provide the final "push" to get healthy... or else.
We're talking about January 1st, after all. How many twenty-somethings are fully recovered from the night before and ready to hit the gym with loud music and heavy weights?
Many people will make at least four attempts to keep a fitness resolution.
We might not keep our fitness resolutions or go to the gym in February as a nation. We will, however, attempt the same thing again next year!
The majority of Americans have at least four unsuccessful fitness resolutions in their past. That doesn't imply you'll fail, or that you should make a less difficult resolution this year.
The biggest obstacle is... you.
If a five-day split doesn't work for you right now, start with a less demanding routine. Learn to love the recumbent bike or elliptical if the treadmill is your worst enemy.
Not every routine will work for you, so tailoring them to your time limits, muscle fiber types, and degree of commitment will help you succeed long after January is through.
According to reports, the most common roadblock to health and fitness resolutions is "difficulty."
Newsflash: It's difficult to commit to a substantial lifestyle change without prior experience.
Many Americans acknowledge that "difficulty" is a barrier to their achievement. These perceived challenges include keeping to a routine and staying motivated, as well as finding time to exercise.
Rigidity is the true major roadblock.
Is a monthly gym subscription too expensive to justify? Then, at home, do bodyweight exercises, open a savings account, and work your way up to a full gym membership.
You're not obligated to follow a regimen just because it follows a certain pattern. Make the routine work for you, even if it means slightly sacrificing outcomes.
FAQ
How many people make fitness-related New Year's resolutions?
Nearly 40% of New Year's resolutions are related to health or fitness. Exercising more (13 percent), decreasing weight, becoming "in shape," and eating healthier appear to be the most popular objectives.
What are the top five resolutions for the New Year?
Eating better (the top New Year's resolve year after year), exercising more, saving money and spending less (33 percent), learning new things (25 percent), and quitting smoking are the top five New Year's resolutions.
The thrill of making — and keeping — a resolution pushes some people to make more general goals ("Be healthier") with a lot of moving variables (i.e., Healthy eating, more exercise, less drinking).
In the gym, how long do New Year's resolutions last on average?
With each passing week of the new year, the desire to go to the gym decreases. Around 80% of people lose enthusiasm by early February and either exercise intermittently or cancel their gym subscriptions. Around 63 percent said they will never go back to the gym.
Gym Facts & Statistics for New Year's Resolutions Summary
These data on New Year's resolutions might be demoralizing and disappointing. You do not, however, have to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before you. To beat the odds, do the following:
- Set a fair goal: If the gym is your mortal enemy, aiming for five sessions per week is a recipe for disaster. Begin with twice a week, gain confidence, and give yourself at least 66 days to form the habit.
- Take a look at who you are right now: Ambitious objectives provide motivation, but every failure is a setback. Choose a regimen based on what you can do rather than what you want to do. As you continue, feel free to add a few extra features.
- Avoid the all-or-nothing mentality: Your mindset is the most important factor in determining your fitness achievement. Fatigue, DOMS, gym closures, and bad weather are all "out of your control" variables. Recognize that skipping or postponing an exercise isn't a failure.
