Why Starting Personal Training in December Beats Waiting Until January
Every year, the same thing happens with personal training and gyms.
January rolls around and everyone decides it’s time to ‘sort themselves out’. Gyms fill up overnight, not just from new members, but from lapsed members who feel guilty and try to get back on it. Machines are constantly in use, group classes get rammed and the best personal training slots disappear fast.
Real World Fitness – a calm, uncrowded gym – even at peak times. January is no different.
Then February arrives, and half of the people who were so motivated a few weeks earlier are already gone.
If you’re serious about improving your health, your fitness, or your strength, December is not ‘too early’. It’s the smart option.
Starting personal training before the New Year puts you ahead in ways most people don’t even think about.
December Is For People Who Plan
January starters are usually reacting to something.
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Guilt from December
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A bad photo
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A hangover
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A looming birthday
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A Monday that turned into ‘I’ll start next week.
None of that is bad, of course – everyone needs a motivation kick to get started, and many people have success off the back of a negative motivator.
But, generally, December starters are different.
They’re forward-thinking. They’re planning and setting things up properly so January doesn’t feel like damage control.
When you start personal training in December, you’re not fighting crowds. You’re not joining a waiting list. You’re not getting rushed into whatever slot happens to be left.
January Is The Busiest Month Of The Year For Personal Training For A Reason
January is chaos for most gyms.
People pile in with vague goals, poor plans and unrealistic expectations. Machines are taken, sessions feel rushed, and attention is spread thin wherever you go.
At Real World Fitness, we genuinely don’t do that.
We don’t pack the gym full of ‘January newbies’ and hope for the best. We cap membership. We have limited personal training slots available. We do not oversell our space.
Join us for personal training – or just gym membership – in December and avoid the Big Gym Rush
December is when you get to:
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Learn the gym without pressure
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Build habits before your motivation fades
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Train when the environment is calm
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Ask questions without feeling rushed
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Start January feeling capable rather than lost
While everyone else in big commercial gyms is queueing for equipment, you’ll already know what you’re doing.
Knowing What You Need To Do Before The Big Personal Training Rush Is An Advantage
There’s a big difference between turning up and knowing what you’re doing and turning up hoping someone will point you in the right direction.
December personal training gives you time to:
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Learn how to lift safely
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Understand your own weak points
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Build a base level of strength and fitness
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Put realistic targets in place
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Get into a routine that doesn’t feel forced
So when January hits, you’re not one of the people wandering around wondering where to start. You’ve already started.
Motivation Can Be Fragile – Habits Aren’t
Most people rely on motivation.
Motivation is great, until it disappears. And it always does. That’s when habits take over.
Success comes from consistency – and it’s so much easier to start before the big New Year rush
December is about building momentum. It’s about quietly doing the work while nobody’s watching. It’s about putting foundations in place when it’s less glamorous and more effective.
If you wait until January, you’re relying on:
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Willpower
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New Year enthusiasm
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A crowded environment
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A lot of competition for support
If you start in December, you’re relying on:
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Structure
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Consistency
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Coaching
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Clear direction
One of those lasts a lot longer than the other.
January Success Is Built In December
The people who get the best results in January are often the ones who didn’t wait for it.
They hit the New Year already moving better, feeling stronger and understanding what they’re doing.
They’re not overwhelmed. They’re not confused. They’re not jumping into something cold.
Want A Head Start?
If you’re thinking about personal training in January, the smartest thing you can do is start now.
December is quieter. More focused. Better for learning. Better for building. Better for committing without pressure.
Train properly in a calm environment that will not ram itself full in January
We won’t flood the gym with beginners. We won’t rush you in and out. We won’t pretend January is a magic switch. But we will help you put solid foundations in place so when everyone else is starting, you’re already underway.
Ready to Get Started?
Joining RWF is simple and straightforward. Whether you want to:
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Sign up for a gym-only membership
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Start personal training
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Or just have a no-obligation look around
…the first step is to get in touch.
📞 Call or WhatsApp us on 07739 904857
💻 Or send us a quick message
Come and see why people in Colwick, Netherfield and Nottingham choose Real World Fitness.
FAQs
Is December too early to start personal training?
Not at all. December gives you space to learn properly, build habits and settle into a routine before gyms become overcrowded in January.
Will the gym be quieter in December?
Yes. December is calmer, which makes it a better environment for learning, training and building confidence before the New Year rush starts.
Should I wait until January to start my fitness journey?
If you want the best chance of sticking to it, starting before January is a big advantage. Momentum beats motivation every time.
Will I be training alongside a lot of beginners in January?
No. We don’t pack the gym with loads of new members in January. Membership and coaching slots are controlled to keep the training environment focused and usable.
What’s the benefit of starting in December instead of January?
You learn the gym, your programme and your own capabilities before the crowds arrive, which makes January far easier mentally and physically.
Can I still enjoy Christmas while doing personal training?
Yes. You’re not training to punish yourself for Christmas. You’re training to feel better going into it and coming out the other side.
