The psychology behind making your New Year health and fitness resolutions stick has been revealed by phycologist Dr Tara Quinn-Cirillo who aims to introduce fun into fitness
If you started January full of good intentions, the bad news is you have until the end of the week to make them stick.
That’s because Friday January 9 is ‘Quitters’ Day’, the point when most New Year’s resolutions are abandoned, according to new research. Seven in ten Brits (72 per cent) don’t expect to keep to their commitments until the end of the year, due to lack of motivation (39 per cent), exercise feeling like a chore (33 per cent) and a lack of enjoyment (31 per cent), according to data from David Lloyd Clubs.
Luckily psychologist Dr Tara Quinn-Cirillo has the answer. The secret ingredient to sticking to your goals is incorporating an element of joy, she said, because research shows that adults who release their inhibitions and channel happiness are twice as likely to stick to wellbeing plans.
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Dr Quinn-Cirillo said: “When an activity feels enjoyable, repetition strengthens the expectation of a feel-good reward. This creates a positive feedback loop that boosts motivation – making people far more likely to keep going over time.”
David Lloyd has tapped into this insight with the trial of ‘DL KIDULTING’, a new series of classes designed to reintroduce the joy of play into adult fitness, featuring nostalgic, playground-inspired activities that deliver real physical and mental benefits.
Expert trainers have also revealed their top 10 ‘Kidulting’ movements to incorporate into workouts, inspired by childhood activities. Exercises include skipping, hopscotch, monkey bars, tag and wheelbarrow races, promising to improve coordination, grip strength, shoulder health and SAQ (Speed Agility Quickness) offering maximum results with minimal pressure.
Championing the campaign is TV and radio personality Mark Wright, who was the first to put the Kidulting workouts to the test. And to dial up the uninhibited joy found by kids in activity, he even trialled a prototype exercise bike inspired by childhood nostalgia: the JoyRide – designed to spark a smile whilst working up a sweat.
Michelle Dand, head of product and programming at David Lloyd Clubs, said: “The days of hardcore, unachievable fitness goals are over as we shift to a far more holistic view of wellness.
“That’s why our resolution for 2026 is to help members swerve the January guilt and embrace joy as they get moving again after a well-deserved festive break with ‘Kidulting’ moves they can try out in the gym and our new KIDULTING sessions. Consistency grows when exercise feels supportive, not demanding and most importantly when it’s fun.”
Mark added: “I’ve been coming to David Lloyd Clubs since I was a child. Wellness has always been important to me, but at times exercise has felt more ‘grin and bear it’. That’s why ‘Kidulting’ is something I am so excited by, and I can’t wait to help the nation rediscover some much needed joy at this time of year.”
Find out more about KIDULTING sessions via the David Lloyd Clubs blog.
Top 10 ‘Kidulting’ exercises from David Lloyd Clubs:
- Skipping (cardio)
- Hopscotch: Single leg hops & balance (bounding with stabilisation)
- Tag: Lateral hops to build SAQ (Speed Agility Quickness)
- Monkey Bars: Grip strength & shoulder health
- Stuck in the mud: Bear Crawl
- Wheelbarrow row race: Use the TRX Suspension Trainer to train shoulders & core
- Piggy in the middle: Squat jumps replicate jumping to catch the ball when stuck in the middle
- Handstands
- Crab walk
- Sleeping Lions: Stretch on the mat/floor to finish
