Exercise Adherence is Achilles' Heel of Even the Best New Year's Resolutions

Exercise adherence is the Achilles' heel of even the best New Year's resolutions.

"I have been working with the new intern at our fitness center. She is feeling frustrated about getting new clients started on well-designed exercise programs, but then having half of them stop showing up for their workouts. Yesterday she asked me, 'How do you make people stick to their exercise programs?' I didn't know where to start. I remember being her age and thinking, 'If I could just do and say the right things, I could convince anyone to exercise. If everyone knew what I knew, they would want to exercise!' She seemed disappointed to hear me say that not everyone who signs up for personal training is really committed to sticking to an exercise program. I also explained that no one knows why some people drop out and others become lifelong exercisers. It's still a mystery to me. I am going to give her some reading on the stages of change model. Maybe this will help her get a better idea of where her clients are coming from. She may need to spend less time teaching lifting techniques and more time listening to her clients' concerns."

The new year often prompts people to renew their vows to exercise regularly. People may start exercising not because they really want to, but because they know they should. Fitness professionals must be aware that some clients have not quite made the commitment to make their health a priority, and may be somewhat ambivalent about sticking to an exercise program.

Understanding who your clients are, their level of commitment, their expectations regarding their exercise programs and their motivations for exercise can help you design effective exercise programs. Your goal is to create recommendations that will not only help clients get in shape, but will maximize their chances for successful adherence, and for the development of a commitment to lifelong physical activity.

Log in to view the full article
Page 1 of 148
Next Page
Buyer's Guide
Information on more than 3,000 companies, sorted by category. Listings are updated daily.
Learn More
Buyer's Guide
AB Show 2025 in San Diego
AB Show is a solution-focused event for athletics, fitness, recreation and military professionals.
Nov. 5-8, 2025
Learn More
AB Show 2025