Dorset gyms see influx of 'new new years resolution' makers

'2020 was a write off, 2021 is the year I'll get fit' - that's what many of us told ourselves on January 1st this year.

But, within four days those dreams were dashed by the start of another lockdown that wouldn't fully end for another six months.

Now, 'new new year resolutioners' are using this weeks easing of lockdown restrictions as the impetus for change in their fitness habits.

Dorset gyms are seeing an influx of people making bookings to get ready for June 21st when social distancing is set to end.

Derek Clark is a personal trainer and owner at Spike Fitness in Poundbury. He said:

"Last year we obviously had a tough year anyway, people were looking at 2021 and then that got sledgehammered a few days into it.

"I think people are now looking, you know, marker in the sand let's get on, get fit, get stronger, healthier, happier and try to move towards some form of normality."

He added:

"We've had quite a few consultations booked in. Over the last couple weeks, people have started to ramp up knowing that things are starting to unlock.

"People are pretty conscious that lockdown has meant while they've been at home with their children et cetera that things haven't been quite as easy."

But new figures show we're not all as motivated as we're letting on.

According to research carried out by Noom, almost two thirds (64%) of UK adults say they're trying to lose weight for the 21st June deadline. Over a quarter (27%) say pressures are negatively affecting their mental health and eating habits.

Noom is taking a stand against the 'post-lockdown diet', and its Chief Psychology Officer, Dr. Andreas Michaelides, has offered 7 ways to train your brain for a healthier, more fulfilling life in the long-term.

Dr. Andreas Michaelides, chief of psychology at Noom, likens the desire to get a 'post-lockdown body' to the typical summer shredding season that has a significant impact on a person's mental health and wellbeing:

These findings are worrying, and it's clear people are feeling undue pressure to look a certain way when lockdown restrictions begin to lift.

"Many claim to have gained a few pounds during lockdown, but when we use a short-term goal, like getting ready for a summer holiday or wedding, as the motivation to change our behaviours or weight, the results are often short-term, too.

"Everyone's mental wellbeing is under pressure right now, and it's important we take care of our mind first and our bodies will follow.''

Derek added:

"When you get back into the gym, if you had a program before that you were following and you've not been able to get in there, just drop it back a little bit.

"Concentrate on your technique first, get all of that muscle memory back, get use to it and then build it up from there."