A month into 2025, how are your new year resolutions going? One resolution that resonates with many in the UK is the desire to exercise more. A recent survey showed that 48% of respondents listed ‘exercise more’ and ‘save more money’ as their top New Year’s resolutions for 2025. This trend has remained consistent: it was the top resolution for several years, including 2024, 2023, and 2020.
It seems that a resolution to get fit is so universal that it even brings together politicians from all parties in their promises. On Laura Kuenssberg‘s BBC1 show in early January, ‘exercise more’ was the only point of agreement among the politicians on the panel.
Motivation and discipline
Politicians aren’t the only ones who seem to struggle to keep their promises. A YouGov survey found that 19% of respondents admitted to not keeping a single resolution, while 45% managed to keep one or more. So, why is exercising more so challenging? Roy Castle once sang, “Dedication’s what you need,” and Alexander Paterson noted that “the secret to discipline is motivation.”
With that in mind, here are some sporting events, activities, and styles that might inspire and motivate you:
Running events
Jogging, power walking, Nordic walking, and running are all excellent ways to stay fit. Some people prefer running alone, while others enjoy the safety and support of groups. Parkrun and other groups offer a suitable place to start. Events such as the 5-kilometre and half marathons in Southend, Peterborough, Norfolk and Bedford are aspirational targets, even if not for this year. If that doesn’t interest you, there’s always the world-famous Maldon Mud Race.
Gym
In the past, going to the gym often meant lifting weights to build strength. This could inspire someone to aim for the feats of Geoff Capes, Jón Páll Sigmarrson or Eddie Hall. Suffolk’s own Andrea Thompson, who won World’s Strongest Woman, and Charlie Close, a former winner of England’s Strongest Woman from Ipswich, are local inspirations. Events like East Anglia’s Strongest Man, Norfolk’s Strongest, and Ipswich’s Strongest take place regionally.
Alternatively, bodybuilding offers those who aspire to having a figure like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Reg Park, or, Dorian Yates, or indeed Emily Carrasquillo from Norwich, who won the Figure category of Miss Universe in 2023. Bodybuilding events in Peterborough and Luton are scheduled for 2025.
Movement
If bodybuilding and strongman/woman competitions aren’t appealing, Pilates might be more suitable. Created by Joseph Pilates for dancer rehabilitation, it shares elements with ‘dynamic tension‘ workouts from Charles Atlas and isometrics from Alexander Zass, who settled in Essex and is buried in Hockley. They all advocated movement over heavy weights.
Not being in the 19%
East Anglia offers a wide range of activities and events to inspire you. If none of the above interests you, there are sports clubs, fitness classes, and walking clubs exploring the beautiful countryside. While setting a lofty goal may be unrealistic, attending one of these events might be the first step on a longer, healthier fitness journey.
