Have you sat down to set your goals for 2021, do these include your fitness and personal goals? 

2021! 2020 is finally behind us, and although it may not feel as though anything has changed, you do have the chance to wipe the slate clean and do what you can to start the year with your best foot forward, and with some planning and perseverance along the way, you can ensure it stays moving forward.  Something we are very passionate about at Stable is staying fit and healthy while moving our bodies as much as we can during Lockdown.

With our fight against COVID-19 very much in the forefront of people’s minds; now more than ever, it is important for us to do the very most we can to ensure we are fit and healthy. Whilst no guarantee as to how COVID-19 might affect us, we do know that exercise is known to have a profound impact on the normal functioning of the immune system, by boosting it. Exercise also provides a heady mix of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, important brain chemicals which help improve our mood, which is all the more important given many of us are combating the effects of social isolation and confinement. 

January is typically a time when you sit down to take a few minutes to reflect on what was achieved in the previous year and to set new goals and create plans for the year ahead.  

Whilst it’s important to focus on your business goals, whether that be to expand your business, identify new markets or embark on some new training, it’s also key that you ensure you take time out to focus on you - and that includes your health and wellbeing, with fitness being integral to this. 

With the Christmas indulge-fest over and a new year of new possibilities stretching before us, have you stopped to think about your personal goals and more specifically your fitness goals?  Do you want to run your first 10km, lose half a stone, or get a new deadlift PB?

Whether you’re new to fitness or you’ve been training for some time, here are our four top tips on how to set a goal and how to achieve it!

1. Firstly, always make it SMART.  

For example, if your goal was to improve your running a SMART goal would look something like this: 

Specific: Reduce 10km running time from 65 minutes to 60 minutes

Measurable: Measure the time - 60 minutes is the time to beat.

Attainable: Yes, with some strength training alongside a structured running plan, you would expect to see improvements.

Realistic:  Yes, the aim is to improve by 8%. This goal is not too big that it feels intimidating but it is not too small that it can be achieved without any work. This way there will be a huge sense of accomplishment after completion.

Time: 2 months.

Time is possibly the most important part of any SMART target.  As humans we find it all too easy to sit back and procrastinate. Put a time cap on your goal, put it in your diary and work towards that date. 

2. Our second top tip is to not only to write your goal down but tell someone about it.  By telling someone about your new fitness goal  you are far more likely to achieve it, this has been proven time and time again.  And who you tell also has an impact on the likelihood of you achieving your goals. If you tell someone whose opinion matters to you you’re going to go after your goal to receive their praise. 

3. Thirdly, gathering the support of friends and family members is a great way to receive additional support, motivation and encouragement.  You could always set up a WhatsApp group with friends and family and discuss your exercise plans together for the week. 

Get a friend or partner involved.  If you both have the same goals, work towards them together.  You’ll both then go through the same training highs and lows and have each other for support.  No one likes letting people down so this is another great way to stay accountable to your goals.

4. Finally make sure it is something you enjoy.  When it comes to fitness and exercise there are so many options out there for you to choose.  If you’re new to exercise, this may feel slightly overwhelming, but take a minute and think about what it is you enjoy doing.  Do you prefer doing things by yourself? Or do you prefer doing things with friends and colleagues?  Do you think you’d prefer doing something that is short, sharp and punchy or are you more suited to something with a slower pace?  Answer these questions and it will take you closer to the type of exercise suited to you.

The fitness brand Stable was founded in 2020 by Ben Chipperfield and Sophie Bankes, who, prior to becoming freelance PTs, both worked in The City and know all too well how hard it can be to remain active whilst working full time.

It is now more important than ever to stay fit and active and this is why at Stable, we have created our online training schedule.  It includes numerous online classes each week as well as slots for you and friends to book more intimate group PT sessions.  Online sessions are a great way to keep up regular exercise during Lockdown.  With a qualified instructor leading the class to ensure you are carrying out movements correctly and safely, while sharing top training tips throughout the sessions.  Online classes can be done anywhere there is an internet connection! 

If you are a regular on the group fitness circuit and you’re missing your daily endorphin rush and working out in a group environment, then be sure to check out Stable’s online classes.  Stable is offering members of the Work Crowd 25% throughout January and February. To book visit the Stable Shop and use code StableWorkCrowd. 

For 1-2-1 PT or for businesses looking to offer ' lockdown health and fitness employee perks, we are also offering corporate pacakages. Contact Sophie at info@stable.fit and quote the discount code StableWorkCrowd or call on 07827322539

We can offer a range of online classes covering strentgh and conditioning, functional fitness, HIIT, weights and endurance as well as being able to tailor specific programs to your needs.

Do visit and follow us at our Instagram & Facebook pages on @Stable.fit