How to build consistent active habits without the gym

With 2025 coming to an end, many of us are setting our New Year resolutions. One of the most common goals people have is to join the gym, however, it’s also one that the majority fail to keep up. The truth is, this resolution is driven by a desire to be more physically active – gym is one of the many means for this, but it’s not suited to everyone. So, here are some alternative ways to become more active in the next year.

Make movement a natural part of your day

One of the simplest ways to become more active is to stop treating it like a huge, separate task and, instead, integrate it into your daily routine through small actions. For example, instead of driving to work on a sunny day, try cycling or walking. When there’s an option to take the lift or elevator, choose to take the stairs instead. If you find yourself waiting around for something, like your dinner to heat up, use those 20-30 minutes for some full body stretches. Making these minor changes will not require a lot of motivation or time, but will help you move your body more.

Build exercise into existing routine

Another helpful tactic is to assign movement to existing habits that you already consistently do. For instance, every time you finish brushing your teeth, take five minutes to stretch your body. Or, during your lunch break everyday, spend 10 minutes going outside for a short walk. This approach helps you add new activities to your current routine, rather than compete with it. And, since it becomes built into old habits, you’re very unlikely to skip or forget about them.

Find something that suits your lifestyle

Staying active should not feel like some punishment. You may find activities that feel encouraging and rewarding, while still giving you the same health benefits. Walking, for one, is a highly accessible form of exercise, as it does not require any specialist equipment or knowledge. But, the health benefits of it are much greater than you might think, helping cardiovascular health, improving bone and joint strength, boosting your immune system and bettering your sleep. So much so, long-distance walking holidays are increasingly popular amongst holidaymakers – something you might want to consider for your next vacation.

Similarly, there are lots of other forms of exercises that may suit your lifestyle better than the gym. If you like to socialise, you may join a group pilates or yoga class, which will keep you motivated. Equally, if you want to be able to exercise in your own home, there are plentiful free tutorials and apps to guide you. The key here is to explore various options and find something that feels good and fits into your life naturally.

Small changes yield big results

Life is all about small, consistent habits, whether it’s for your health or professional life. If you can improve your daily routine by just a little bit each day, you’ll finish the year having achieved much more than you ever expected!