Jack Claxton has been at the sharp end of personal training for over a decade, yet even someone as well-versed in its benefits can occasionally lack the drive to exercise. “Motivation is huge,” says David Lloyd’s master trainer, who admits that his own motivation started to dip last year “even though I’ve been in this industry for 10-11 years.”
Despite committing his career to helping people fall in love with exercise, Claxton was falling out of love with it—hard.
Burned out and lacking direction, he resolved to make three small changes that quickly got him back on track. He now recommends them to everyone—to keep motivation flowing in good times and bad.
1. Block book your workouts
The first move Claxton made was to establish an ironclad routine.
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“The first step I took was to schedule a workout in my diary first, before everything else. Basically, that comes down to making exercise a priority,” he tells Fit&Well.
Locking it in first thing also minimized the number of life events that could get in the way.
“I appreciate there are things in life that have to be more important, but you have to prioritize it,” says Claxton. “You have to decide where exercise fits in for you.”
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Putting this into practice, Claxton found a clear month in his diary and added recurring bookings for every workout.
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“Train here, swim there, stretch here, and I haven’t touched it since,” says Claxton.
“That’s delivered the best results. My training isn’t even that different to what it looked like before, it’s just consistent.”
Claxton also ringfences each session to ensure he’s never in too much of a rush.
“I make sure I have time to eat after or a window to grab a coffee before,” he says. “I make sure there’s enough time to stretch if it’s a more demanding session. That’s something I didn’t do before because I simply didn’t make it a priority.”
2. Speak it into existence
Another way that adding a workout into your diary helps motivation, is that it can help keep you accountable.
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“When you write something down, you’re more likely to do it because you’re writing it into existence,” says Claxton, pointing to an upcoming Saturday where he has blocked out 90 minutes for a HYROX training session and another 90 minutes for brunch.
A neat trick to double the dose of accountability is to speak it, as well as write it, into existence.
“If all week I’ve been telling my clients and colleagues that I’m doing a HYROX training session then grabbing brunch on Saturday, I’m committed. I can’t then not train,” he says.
You can apply this same logic to a workout, yoga session or even a full-blown race. Tell anyone who will listen, they’ll act as your personal accountability buddy and they’ll be none the wiser.
3 Make it fun
Lastly, Claxton resolved to bring joy back to his training, an essential ingredient for anyone looking to make exercise a lifelong habit.
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“I’m often asked, ‘what’s the best exercise for X, Y and Z?’ The answer is always the exercise you are going to do again and again and again—consistently,” says Claxton.
“It’s the type of training that you will keep showing up to because you look forward to it. That’s better than doing a dozen workouts that you don’t enjoy.”
If you’re struggling to find the type of training that you genuinely look forward to, Claxton recommends trial and error.
“If you’re going fishing and you’ve got a bigger net, you’re going to catch more fish,” he says.
So try a Spin class, have a go at a Pilates workout on YouTube, or sign up for a free trial at your local yoga studio.
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“There are so many free apps and resources and taster classes you can sign up to,” he adds.
And if you are a member of a gym, chatting to a personal trainer should help identify the style of training that’s more suited to your likes and dislikes.
January is peak season for fitness sales, with major discounts on gym memberships, fitness trackers, activewear and beginner-friendly exercise equipment. No wonder — it is a perfect opportunity for retailers to clear inventory and capitalize on all those “New Year, New You” resolutions.
For an exercise novice, however, this endless sea of workout gear and gadgets can be downright overwhelming. But if that is you, do not worry! You do not need a gym’s worth of exercise equipment, a high-end Garmin watch or a professional athlete’s wardrobe to begin. Starting simple is often the most effective strategy for a long-term lifestyle change — not to mention that it is much easier on the wallet.
With that in mind, we rounded up a list of essential, science-backed purchases for a beginner, prioritizing ease-of-use, safety and versatility. Plus, we sprinkled in some fitness deals to help your post-Christmas budget go that little bit further.
Here’s what to buy (and what to skip) to launch your fitness journey in strategic fashion — and save yourself some money in the process.
Anna Gora
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Anna Gora is a health writer and reviewer at Live Science, as well as a highly experienced personal trainer, nutritionist and fitness coach. Over the years, she has helped numerous exercise beginners kickstart their fitness journey, and is always on the lookout for versatile, easy-to-use fitness gear to recommend to her clients. At Live Science, Anna has written a guide to the best exercise equipment for beginners and is a significant contributor to our round-ups of the best fitness trackers, cardio machines and running shoes.
The essentials: Gear that gets you out the door
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Before investing in a premium running watch or one of the best rowing machines, focus on the basics. Buying the right footwear and workout clothing is an essential first step on your fitness journey. This is not about fashion; it is about comfort and safety.
Footwear: Your most important investment
This is your non-negotiable purchase. Appropriate footwear helps you maintain good foot health, reduces the risk of injuries and boosts your overall well-being, according to a 2024 review published in the journal Applied Sciences. Choose shoes that are stable, comfortable to wear and suitable for your intended activities.
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That said, do not get bogged down in premium brands and ultra-specialized shoes. Start with a quality pair of all-purpose trainers or cross-trainers. The best beginner-friendly options have a good balance of cushioning and stability for a mix of gym workouts, walking, jogging and low- to moderate-intensity aerobics. Good looks are just the cherry on top.
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Workout clothing: It is all about comfort
Workout clothing should help you withstand the demands of intense exercise, not actively impede your attempts to get fit. Look for synthetic, moisture-wicking fabrics like polyester or spandex — they help regulate body temperature and prevent sweat from lingering on your skin, while cotton, for example, holds sweat and can cause chafing.
Then, focus on freedom of movement. A well-designed piece of activewear will allow for freedom of movement and not slip off or irritate your skin during intense workouts. Start with a few core pieces to build a rotation: a few tops and bottoms, several pairs of sports socks and, for women, a couple of good-quality sports bras.
Again, there is no need to invest in premium brands and highly specialized activewear; affordable lines from major retailers work perfectly fine. Comfort here is key — if you feel good, you are more likely to get moving.
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The best retailers for finding deals on beginner-friendly workout clothing:
Puma: Now up to 60% off on Puma Essentials and Puma Elevated Essentials
Adidas: End of Year Sale with up to 60% off on shoes and activewear
Reebok: End-of-Season Sale with up to 50% off selected styles
CRZ Yoga: A budget alternative to Lululemon, now with up to 81% off on yoga pants, leggings, tops and jumpsuits
Target’s All in Motion: A highly-rated line of affordable workout clothing, running shoes and exercise equipment
Amazon’s Aurola: Soft and versatile workout tops and bottoms for under$35
The home-gym starter pack: Simple, space-savvy exercise equipment
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While you may be tempted to splash out on a premium treadmill or super-smart exercise bike, hold off on the big purchases for now. You can build remarkable strength, endurance and mobility with basic, space-savvy equipment too, and at a much lower cost. A yoga mat, adjustable dumbbells and resistance bands, for example, are very beginner-friendly, offering maximum versatility with a minimal footprint.
If you are not entirely sure how to use them, look up beginner-friendly home exercise video tutorials or join an online fitness class. January fitness sales are not just about physical gear — many fitness apps and services are discounted, too, or offer free taster sessions. There is also plenty of good-quality content that is entirely free of charge.
Fitness trackers: A source of useful data and exercise advice
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A well-chosen fitness tracker can provide a lot of valuable feedback and positive reinforcement in the early stages of your fitness journey. Counting your daily steps, tracking an active workout and reviewing your past activities can help you make more sense of your workouts and general progress.
Training by “feel” is hard for beginners, and continuous heart rate measurements provide objective data on your efforts. It helps you understand zones: are you in a moderate, fat-burning zone or pushing into high intensity? This ensures your easy days are genuinely promoting recovery and your hard days are truly effective.
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Moreover, the goal-setting and “closing your rings” features (a visual representation of your progress towards your daily exercise goals) leverage gamification, and this in itself can be a powerful motivator. Not to mention, many fitness trackers come in handy outside of the gym or running track, too.
However, do not get swayed by the trends here. A basic Fitbit, Garmin or Apple Watch SE will track steps, heart rate, sleep, and active minutes just as well as the more advanced and expensive models. They also tend to be more beginner-friendly in terms of their user interfaces and the language they use to describe your fitness stats.
What NOT to buy (right away)
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The allure of a shiny new machine is strong, but impulsive buys often become expensive clothes racks. Here are some tips on how to avoid costly mistakes as an exercise beginner.
Hold off on major equipment. Do not start by buying an expensive treadmill, elliptical, or full home-gym system. Use your foundational gear or a gym trial for one month at least. If you have consistently stuck with your routine, then research what machine would best suit the activities you have genuinely enjoyed.
Avoid over-specialization. You do not need cycling shoes until you are sure indoor cycling is your go-to sport. Similarly, you do not need Olympic weightlifting shoes for general strength training. Let your sustained interest guide niche purchases, not the other way around.
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Beware of fads and “quick fix” gadgets. If a product promises insane results with minimal effort, it is likely selling a fantasy. Sustainable fitness is built on consistent effort, not electrical muscle stimulators, ab belts or dodgy supplements. Stick to the good-old healthy diet and regular workouts, and you will be primed for success in 2026.
The bottom line
The goal of your initial purchases is not to equip a pro athlete from the get-go, but to minimize barriers to exercise and help you establish healthy habits. Every item should make it easier to say “yes” to your workout and harder to make an excuse.
This New Year, invest first in the basics that support consistency. Let your proven dedication over weeks and months, not your initial January enthusiasm, guide your future investments. Your journey starts not with the fanciest gear, but with the first step taken in the right shoes.
If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
Target is starting the year off on the right foot with huge savings on tons of exercise equipment. One deal that stood out to us is The YOSUDA Classical Model Exercise Bike, now only $300, down from $500. This sale comes at the perfect time, as many people have fitness goals in their New Year’s Resolutions.
Features
The YOSUDA Classical Model Exercise Bike features a 30 lbs flywheel and a heavy-duty steel frame, ensuring stability during workouts. It utilizes a belt-driven system that offers a smooth and quiet ride.
The bike can support a maximum weight capacity of 300 lbs. It is designed to fit a wide range of users, with 2-way adjustable handlebars, a 4-way adjustable padded seat and spring-loaded comfort. The bike is suitable for individuals between 4′8″ and 6′1″ in height.
An LCD monitor tracks essential workout data, and a tablet holder and Bluetooth connectivity add entertainment and smart app integration. Safety features include adjustable cage pedals and a resistance bar for emergency stops.
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Related: HOKA is having an incredibly rare sale on the Clifton 10 this week, and they’re selling fast
The “Ride Comfort All the Way” feature, with its upgraded spring-loaded seat and adjustable handlebars, is designed to enhance shock absorption and reduce exercise-related discomfort.
This ensures a more enjoyable and sustainable workout experience.
The two-way adjustable handlebars and four-way adjustable padded seat go a long way to making the user comfortable.
Customer reviews
The YOSUDA Classical Model Exercise Bike has received predominantly positive feedback from customers, with an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 115 reviews. Users appreciate the bike’s quality, value, and smooth operation. Many reviewers highlight the bike’s stability, comfort features such as the adjustable seat and handlebars, and the quiet belt-drive system.
You can buy the The YOSUDA Classical Model Exercise Bike at Target for only $300 this week, but hurry, your New Year’s Resolutions are waiting.
More fitness deals at Target
More deals at Target.
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