
This is the year you’ll lose those stubborn 15 pounds. Or bench-press 140 pounds. Or run a 10K.
Chances are, if you subscribe to the idea of New Year’s resolutions, you promised yourself that January 2016 would mark the start of your newly healthy lifestyle. The popularity of fitness resolutions is confirmed by the economics: new gym memberships spike in January, making it one the most important months to the industry’s bottom line. Groupon, which offers deals for health centers, personal training, and classes, sees a similar trend.
But promises are only promises unless you do something about them. Who’s actually sticking to their New Year’s resolutions to get fit? To find out, Groupon analyzed data for fitness-related deals purchased in the first two weeks of 2016. Below, check out which cities have the most subscribers who are already putting their money where their mouth is.
Top American cities for keeping fitness resolutions:
- Portland, OR
- Baltimore, MD
- Phoenix, AZ
- Memphis, TN
- Seattle, WA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Denver, CO
- Charleston, SC
- Cincinnati, OH
Top Canadian cities for keeping fitness resolutions:
- Vancouver, BC
- Toronto, ON
- Calgary, AL
- Edmonton, AL
- Winnipeg, MB
Why are Portland and Vancouver so committed to getting fit in 2016?
Is it a coincidence that North America’s top cities are both in the Pacific Northwest? Probably not—and not just because residents have to look good in their lumberjack flannel and skinny jeans. For starters, though the area is rainy, the temperate climate is conducive to year-round outdoor activity: winters aren’t too cold and summers are pleasantly mild. Residents also have easy access to mountains and waterways for recreation, and their cities are welcoming to pedestrians and bicyclists.
Yoga, running, and other sports are popular in these highly livable cities. And if you need another hint of the area’s commitment to fitness, take a look at some of the lifestyle brands headquartered in the Pacific Northwest: Nike, Lululemon Athletica, Adidas North America, Columbia Sportswear, and Eddie Bauer.
How can you stick with your New Year’s resolutions?
If, unlike Portlanders and Vancouverites, you haven’t yet taken the plunge—South Bend, IN, we’re looking at you—here are some ways you can ensure those New Year’s resolutions to get fit become reality:
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare
Just thinking about heading to the gym or kickboxing class definitely isn’t enough—actions speak louder than words. The best way to get yourself in the door is to schedule your day around exercise. The night before, pack a bag of gym clothes, prepare some energizing snacks, and go to bed at a reasonable time.
2. Keep yourself limber
Nothing stops fitness momentum in its tracks like an injury, so be sure to stretch and warm up before exercising. After your workout, experts recommend massaging your muscles with a foam roller or another tool to release painful knots that form during training. An occasional sports massage would be a nice treat, too.
3. Praise yourself for little accomplishments
“There's a tendency to compare [yourself] to others in class; I try to dissuade clients from doing that,” Chicago barre instructor Lauren Ross told us. Instead of beating yourself up for not being able to run a 10-minute mile, congratulate yourself for staying on the elliptical for 20 minutes or reaching a certain number of steps on your activity monitor.
4. Invest in something fun
If you absolutely hate a certain activity, don’t do it! No matter how beneficial it’s meant to be, you won’t stick to it if you don’t get any enjoyment out of it. Instead, do something that sparks joy, like taking a hip-hop dance class, tapping into your competitive nature with a CrossFit course, or pretending to be Michael Phelps while swimming. Even running can be made more exciting by downloading video-game-style apps.