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The Bar functional fitness gym owner Amber Bailey says people must realise going to the gym should not be punishment for enjoying time with family and time off work during the holidays.

Eating better and getting fit remain among the most popular 2020New Year's resolutions in South Canterbury.

The new year usually meansan increase in revenue for fitness-related businessesas consumers join gyms and purchase equipmentwith goalsto get into shape.

Amber Bailey, who owns The Bar functional fitness gymin Timaru, said like every year the number of people joining her gym since January 1 hasdefinitely increased.

BEJON HASWELL/ STUFF

Chris Williams, Amber Bailey, Hinemoa McMahon, Jo Williams, Carmen Tonks and Jan Gibbs get fit for the new year at The Bar functional fitness gym in Timaru.

"Our membership has increased, along with a rise in sports teams and kids wanting to train with us.

"We now have (Timaru) boys' high (school) rowing and South Canterbury athletics that attend weekly."

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Shane Simms from The Cyclery in Stafford St has been busy with the high demand for bikes after Christmas.

Bailey said people must realise going to the gym should not be punishment for enjoying time with family and time off work during the holidays.

"Changing the date from the 31st to the 1st doesn't change you, changing from 2019 to 2020 doesn't change you. You must change you."

Website History.com reports that civilisations around the world have been celebrating the start of each new year for at least four millennia. The tradition of making New Year's Day resolutions goes back to the ancient practice wheretheRomansmade promises tothe two-faced Roman godJanus,after whom the month of January is alsonamed.

TheCycleryowner, James Smith, said there is always a "huge pick up" in bicycle sales immediately after Christmas.

"At this time of year, lots of people make it their New Year's resolution to enter an event, train for something or to simply shed the Christmas pudding," he said.

Smith said when focus begins to wane,the best method to stick at it is to find similarpeopleto to ride with.

"There are lots of social groups and having someone turn up at your door ready to ride with you drags you out, or if you have to meet someone else then that's the motivator one needs."

Among those who have stuck to New Year's resolutions is Hinemoa McMahon, at regular at a gym, who made her commitment to get fitter five years ago and says it has paid off.

"I am driven to get better. I have goals each year of what I want to do and what I want to achieve within the year.

"It is also about nutrition and that all comes with training. Your whole lifestyle changes. Better exercise and nutrition, you sleep better and function better."

Carmen Tonks started at a gym two years ago after being unfit and inactive and said she has not looked back since.

"It's really changed my life in general confidence-wise. It has also made huge changes in my personal life.

"I will absolutely recommend exercise as a New Year's resolution."

Institute of Physique Management's Anne Laing said a steady flow of member starts in January as people come back from their holidays, but these numbers are reduced by at leat 15 to 20 per cent after a "month or so".

"Feeling good about your body and the ability to achieve mini-goals gives you the confidence to continue making changes - cementing these habits until they are part of your long term routine."

The more peopleunderstand why and what is needed to be donethey will be in a much better position to change what does not work for them.

"Once you've identified where the problem is, the next step is to make simple gradual changes."

The Timaru Herald

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Diet and exercise rank high among New Year's resolutions - Stuff.co.nz