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As you ponder the year ahead, you make the all-too familiar New Years Resolution: 'This year, I'm committing to getting active and going to the gym regularly.'

It's a pledge for change, for self-improvement. Yet, there's a nagging feeling of déjà vu. Haven't you made the same resolution in the past?

Truthfully, making a regular commitment to go the gym can be hard, and while it’s great for some, for others, the gym just isn’t the right fit.

However, if the gym isn’t right for you, that doesn’t mean that this can’t be your year to get active.

What it does mean though, is that you need to spice things up this year and try something different to help you stay on track and get moving.

Here are 5 gym-alternative New Years resolutions to get you active.

1. Join a fitness class

If you struggle to find consistency with your commitment to exercise at the gym, then fitness classes are the place for you.

Fitness classes will help provide you with a consistent routine and structure, as they often take place at the same time every week.

Furthermore, fitness classes also often offer a variety of different workouts so you can decide on the type of the class that works best for you, while also benefitting from expert guidance from the class instructor.

Due to the group nature of fitness classes, you could also bring a friend with you for that extra bit of motivation to get you moving.

2. Start playing sports

If you’re someone who doesn’t go to the gym because you simply don’t enjoy it, why not try picking up a sport?

Playing your favourite sport will help make exercise feel joyful, making it something you can look forward to every week.

Playing sports usually means attending regularly scheduled practices and games, which will help you to maintain a structured and consistent routine while also getting you out of the house.

Also, the camaraderie and friendships often found within sports teams can serve as a great motivator. What could have been a gruelling session of exercise by yourself at the gym can instead become a fun game with friends.

There are a wide variety of Rock up & Play sessions available that accept members of all skill levels, so if you have a genuine passion for a particular sport, or even fancied trying something new, then this is the path for you.

3. Give swimming a go

If you’re someone who prefers a bit more peace and solitude when exercising, then swimming is a great gym alternative.

Many people find swimming to be a relaxing and stress-reducing activity, as the rhythmic nature of swimming and the sensation of being in water can calm the mind.

Swimming is also great as a form of exercise as it is a full-body workout. It engages multiple muscle groups simultaneously and can tone your muscles while improving your strength and flexibility.

Despite it being a full-body workout, swimming is also a low-impact exercise, making it gentler on joints and muscles compared to many other exercises.

4. Start doing home exercises

If finding the motivation to leave the house to exercise is your main issue, why not try it from the comfort of your own home?

There are multiple online resources available for those who prefer to exercise from home, including virtual fitness classes, which feature expert instructors who deliver workouts to an in-video crowd which you follow along with.

The classes run from early morning until late evening and start automatically at the scheduled time. So, to take part, all you need to do is simply log in, grab any gear you need and enjoy the workout at your pace.

5. Take up climbing

If it’s a more adventurous approach to staying fit that you’re after, climbing is an exhilarating alternative to the gym that is sure to get your blood pumping.

Climbing is a full-body workout that will not only challenge your physical strength but will also engage your mind as you solve problems under pressure to navigate the intricate routes of the climbing wall.

It's a unique experience that combines fitness and adventure, offering a thrilling way to achieve your fitness goals. Why settle for the usual gym routine when you can elevate your fitness journey with the extraordinary experience of climbing?

Explore exciting alternatives to kickstart your active journey at Warwick Sport with fitness classes, sports, swimming, home exercises and climbing . This year, try something a bit different, and take the leap towards a healthier you.

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Sam Davis Content Contributor, Warwick Sport

Sam is a content writer and sport enthusiast with a keen interest in football, judo, and hockey.

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