If your commitment to New Year health goals is already waning, you are not alone. New research has pinpointed Friday, 9 January 2026 as 'Quitters' Day', the date when most people are predicted to abandon their resolutions.
The Psychology of Sticking to Your Goals
Data from David Lloyd Clubs indicates a stark reality: 72% of Brits do not expect to maintain their resolutions until year-end. The primary culprits? A lack of motivation (39%), viewing exercise as a chore (33%), and an absence of enjoyment (31%).
Fortunately, psychologist Dr Tara Quinn-Cirillo offers a science-backed solution. The crucial element for long-term adherence, she explains, is joy. Research indicates that adults who release inhibitions and channel happiness are twice as likely to stick to their wellbeing plans.
"When an activity feels enjoyable, repetition strengthens the expectation of a feel-good reward," Dr Quinn-Cirillo said. "This creates a positive feedback loop that boosts motivation - making people far more likely to keep going over time."
Reintroducing Play with 'Kidulting' Fitness
Acting on this insight, David Lloyd Clubs has trialled a novel concept: 'DL KIDULTING'. This new series of classes is designed to reintroduce the pure joy of play into adult fitness, featuring nostalgic, playground-inspired activities.
Championing the campaign is TV and radio personality Mark Wright, who was the first to test the workouts. To amplify the uninhibited joy of childhood, he even tried a prototype exercise bike, the JoyRide, designed to spark nostalgia and smiles during a workout.
Michelle Dand, Head of Product and Programming at David Lloyd Clubs, stated: "The days of hardcore, unachievable fitness goals are over as we shift to a far more holistic view of wellness. Consistency grows when exercise feels supportive, not demanding and most importantly when it’s fun."
Top 10 'Kidulting' Exercises to Try
Expert trainers have revealed a list of top movements, inspired by childhood games, that promise to improve coordination, strength, and agility with minimal pressure:
- Skipping: For cardio fitness.
- Hopscotch: Single-leg hops for balance and bounding.
- Tag: Lateral hops to build Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ).
- Monkey Bars: For grip strength and shoulder health.
- Stuck in the Mud: Bear crawls for full-body engagement.
- Wheelbarrow Races: Using TRX trainers for shoulders and core.
- Piggy in the Middle: Squat jumps to replicate catching a ball.
- Handstands: For upper body strength and balance.
- Crab Walk: For core and mobility.
- Sleeping Lions: A mat-based stretch to finish.
Mark Wright added his endorsement: "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."
The message for 2026 is clear: to avoid the annual cycle of resolution guilt, the secret may lie not in grinding harder, but in playing more.
