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People head into the new year with renewed energy to explore fitness and wellness trends. While the excitement of beginning new goals and habits remains strong, some people can quickly feel discouraged when they see the price tags associated with new fitness trends. However, there are ways to save and splurge as the new year approaches. You can start by thinking about expanding your definition of fitness.
Nowadays, when people think about fitness, they are not just thinking about physical fitness. They think about mental health, emotional resilience, and general life satisfaction (Chekroud et al., 2018). For example, when you set your physical fitness goals, include mental health goals (recognize and identify the positive way you feel post-workout), practice emotional resilience (give yourself grace if you miss a workout), and determine how your physical fitness goals will increase your overall life satisfaction (like a stronger ability to play with your grandchildren). The following goal setting steps and budget-friendly tips, paired with physical fitness, can help you develop well-rounded goals.
Consider New Trends
People will continue to embrace traditional fitness trends like group fitness classes, strength training, and developing balance and flexibility. They will also start to see new trends that enhance the physical aspects of their goals. One mind-to-body trend includes guided recovery—a guided practice typically led by an instructor to help people relax and recover through activities like meditation, relaxation, and sleep hygiene. For example, meditation apps provide live guided meditations where people can log on and enjoy the experience, all while seeing how many other people around the world are practicing that same meditation at the same time. Sometimes it can be tens of thousands of people.
Develop a Sense of Community
The sense of community, or feeling connected with others, reminds us we are not alone. When we build connections, we are more likely to stick to our goals. Exercisers like runners and martial artists have long known the benefits of building community, and others are finally catching on. Group fitness classes in the gym or with equipment like bikes are examples that help build strong communities, but come with a high price tag. People can build community in other, low-cost ways, too, like running groups or walking with friends.
Know Your Why
One way to understand your own motivation is to develop your “why.” Learning about what motivates you is key to consistency. Understanding your “why” is important so you can help drive yourself forward each day. You can also practice communicating the importance of your why as you build community. Building community is free, and motivation to continue with your goals comes from within.
Develop Consistency
You can think about this as investing in habits, not equipment. Small goals help people increase confidence, and confidence can help you develop and maintain your daily routines (consistency). It is our small, day-to-day patterns that lead to success.
Reaching Your Goals on a Budget
Setting goals might feel like a low cost or free activity, but the process can easily add up if you start to purchase high end equipment, expensive training clothes, and fancy gadgets. Research shows us that mindset, routine, and goal setting matter more than the cost of your fitness equipment (Weinberg, & Gould, 2023). You can purchase a $10,000 treadmill and experience low motivation to use it, or you can have a moderately priced pair of shoes and go outside and run for free because you have the motivation to get the miles in. (Not to say that treadmill users lack motivation – I love running on treadmills!). Just think about what your budget is and stick to it.
To help shed light on this dynamic, I interviewed Joyce Marter, LCPC, CSP, a financial therapist and author of The Financial Mindset Fix: A Mental Fitness Program for an Abundant Life. Marter encourages people to “remember that marketers often use psychology to trigger feelings of guilt or shame about perceived lapses in fitness or nutrition over the holidays in order to drive purchases such as gym memberships, personal training packages, and similar offerings. January and February are peak sales months in the fitness industry, and deep discounts and bundled deals can intensify the urge to splurge. However, according to PTPioneer’s Gym Statistics and Trends in 2025, 63% of gym members attend regularly during the first month, but participation drops to just 33% by the sixth month.” With this in mind, Marter recommends the following strategies:
Only invest in what you are confident you will use. For example, purchasing a package of 10 yoga classes that can be used over the course of a year is often a better investment than committing to an annual membership, according to Marter. Once you establish a consistent track record, you can increase your investment in ways that make financial sense. Similarly, starting with a basic set of weights can serve as a low-risk entry point. If you use them regularly, you can later sell them and upgrade to a more comprehensive set.
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Set realistic goals. If you went to the gym twice in 2025, it may not be realistic to commit to daily workouts. Set yourself up for success by choosing an attainable goal, like exercising twice a week. Marter said if people can maintain this goal for two to three months, they can gradually build from there. The little successes add up to increased confidence.
Create systems of accountability. Whether you work out at a gym or at home, accountability is key. This could be a friend or family member with similar holistic health goals whom you check in with weekly, or a community—or even a specific instructor—at your Pilates or fitness studio who will notice and call you out if your participation wanes. Having systems of accountability and support can help sustain motivation, keep you on track, and prevent wasted spending.
Just Keep Going
If you find that you have lost focus and/or motivation with your new goals, that’s ok. Just keep going and don’t give up on yourself. It is normal for your motivation to fluctuate. Create a plan for when you feel low motivation so that you can reassess and reenergize. You can call a friend to work out together, lean on your online community, or, as Nike encourages us, Just Do It. Put your shoes on and get outside for a walk or stream a free online exercise class. Sometimes taking the first steps after experiencing a setback can be difficult. But it takes just one step to get back on track. You can do it!
