10 New Year Hacks For Your Strongest Start To 2026

It’s the time of year when everyone is talking about resolutions, intentions and after the wild ride that was 2025, how to make 2026 our year.

We love a fresh start and a big fitness goal as much as anyone, but we know that goal-setting and resolutions are often the shiny, sexy, easy part of aiming high. Sticking with it, making progress and being patient with the process are where things get tough and messy.

So to help you not only start 2026 strong but also keep that momentum going for months to come, we’ve pulled together 10 tips for your journey - whether you’re joining the Sweat Challenge, are trying a new Sweat program or are ready to take your current routine to the next level. We’re backing you every step of the way.

1. Chase goals that energise you

Instead of choosing goals you think you should aim for or that everyone around you is chasing, tune into your own body and go after goals that make you feel truly energised and excited.

Your best friend might be inspired to start her running journey or work towards a marathon, but what gets you excited is the idea of lifting heavy weights or doing Pilates. You can always change your goals or your workout routine throughout the year, but no matter what your routine looks like, we want it to feel truly empowering and enjoyable for you.

2. Share your goals

It's so normal to keep your goals or vision to yourself out of fear that you won't achieve them, but there's so much to gain from sharing your goals with other people who have your back.

Speaking your goals aloud makes them more real than when they only exist in your mind, and sharing them with another person immediately creates a new level of accountability and encouragement. If staying on track is something you struggle with, find a friend who also has fitness goals and check in on each other regularly.

If there’s no one IRL you feel you can turn to, why not lean on the support of the Sweat Community? The Sweat Forum is an amazing place to connect, share and cheer each other on and at the start of a new year there are so many women in the Sweat Community who are setting out to achieve incredible things. 

3. Just start!

We talk about designing SMART goals and making a plan, but there’s only so much you can do before you need to just get stuck in and take action.

• If you’ve chosen a new Sweat program to follow, don't think too much about how many weeks there are to complete. Just pick a day and time for your first workout, get it done, repeat.

• If you’re trying to nourish your body a little better, pick some new recipes, make a grocery list, or focus on eating one healthy meal at a time.

• If you’re nervous about joining a gym but know you want to, don’t overthink it. Go to the gym, sign up, get a tour, and then choose your first workout. Setting goals is amazing to provide structure and direction, but as soon as you can, take some action to get the ball rolling!

One of the best ways to get started is with the Sweat Challenge. Here, you’ll find new year programs designed with YOUR goals in mind. So whether you want to get fit, strong, run-ready, prioritise balance or simply get started, we’ve got a program to make it easy.

4. Focus on momentum more than motivation

Motivation is usually at an all-time high at the start of the year. Enjoy it, but don't bank on it lasting because let's be real - it won't. Instead, focus on building momentum. You want your routine to start to feel like an ingrained habit like brushing your teeth, rather than something you only do when you feel motivated.

After you've finished that first workout, schedule the next one immediately. Woken up early a few times in a week for a walk? Amazing! Now aim for a two-week streak. Need somewhere to keep track? Our habit tracker is a great place to start.

5. Expect your drive to drop

That clean-slate feeling of starting a new year is SO energising. But is it enough to carry you through the ups and downs of an entire year? Absolutely not. Expecting your motivation to nosedive doesn’t mean you’re being pessimistic - it’s about being realistic, well-prepared, and human.

Think about how a lack of motivation affects you and what you can do to make sure it doesn’t stand in the way of your goals. Remember - you have the power to take action even when you don’t feel like it. 

These are some of our go-to ways to keep moving forward, even if motivation is nonexistent:

• Don’t let motivation dictate your workout schedule. Plan each session at the start of your week like a calendar appointment and stick to it.

• Do a weekly grocery shop and have your meal ideas on the fridge or somewhere you can see them. If you’re short on time during the week, do this on a Sunday and get a meal prep session in.

• Choose your workout clothes the night before so you can get up and go in the morning.

• If starting your workout is the part you dread, don’t think of that as your starting point. Begin with a five-minute walk.

• Give yourself rest days each week to make sure you're properly recharging.

• Try the five-minute rule. Exercise for five minutes and give it your all, and if you still want to quit after - that’s up to you. For most people, getting through the first five minutes is the hardest part.

6. Remember that mood follows action

It's so easy to let your mood dictate your behaviour, but don't forget that mood often follows action. Energy and motivation often come after a workout.

Whether you're trying to eat well, move more, or take better care of your mental wellbeing, think of those good feelings as the rewards and knock-on effects, rather than a prerequisite to start.

7. Set micro goals you can celebrate

Big, audacious goals are amazing - until you realise how far away you are from achieving them. The answer? Micro goals! Break your big goal down into super tiny chunks that will let you know you’re making progress and give you something to feel proud of, long before that final win. 

Running a marathon could be broken down into shorter distances or times. Performing a 50kg deadlift could be split into many smaller weightlifting goals. Completing an entire Sweat program could have checkpoints each week or month. Set yourself up for success with regular moments of celebration. 

8. Ditch comparison

This is you against you. We’re all about the power of people and having the support of the Sweat Community and our trainers can be a game-changer, but it’s important to focus on your achievements and progress.

Constantly using other people’s journeys as a yardstick for your own progress and success is likely going to leave you feeling defeated or driven by unhealthy competition, so learn to celebrate the people around you while knowing that the path you’re on has nothing to do with them. You’ve got this.

9. Make it fun and don’t be afraid to pivot

What do you do if you set a goal, only to realise a few weeks in that you’ve got huge regrets and you're hating every second of your training? You pivot. Fitness can be hard, but it also should feel somewhat fun. We will never tell you to continue pursuing a goal if it’s boring or draining the life out of you.

If you know what your new goal is, go forth! Otherwise, it can help to go back to point #1 and think about what really energises you. Maybe your goal was to complete a HIIT program, only to discover that high-intensity interval training exhausts you and hurts your joints. No problem - fitness isn't one size fits all. Maybe your pivot looks like changing to a Pilates program or a low-impact strength program like Grow with Mariah.

There are also plenty of simple ways to make a routine more fun:

• Work out with a friend

• Create a new playlist or try a new genre of music

• Work out in a new location, a different area of the gym, or at a different time of day

• Take a break from your regular program by doing individual workouts from the On Demand tab

10. Be part of a community 

As the African proverb goes, if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Being part of something bigger than yourself can keep you inspired, show you what’s possible, and provide you with a community of people to support and cheer for you - on your best days and your worst. 

Immersing yourself in a community can mean being active on the Sweat forum, making friends at your local gym, following other members of the Sweat Community on social media, or making your own fitness community with your friends, family or coworkers. Find your people and power each other on!

Own your year

Making 2026 your strongest year yet doesn't mean it's not without its challenges and messiness. That's inevitable and part of the journey. Having your strongest year yet is about how many times you get back up and how much you grow. You've got this.