Tips to Build Lasting Exercise Habits in 2025

As you prepare your health goals for 2025, PhysioPartners can help you create sustainable exercise habits. Combine current research with practical strategies to help maintain your fitness resolutions beyond January.

Therapists say that starting exercise isn't usually the problem, it's sticking with it.

• Research showing that exercising four times weekly for six weeks is the minimum for habit formation
  • Schedule exercise into your calendar
  • Treat it like any other important appointment
• Starting with small, easy goals and building slowly makes exercise more sustainable
  • 5 or 10 minutes counts
  • Celebrate your small wins
• Linking exercise to things you already do makes it easier to make it a habit
  • Calf raises or squats while you morning coffee brews are a great way to start!
  • Get up and stretch during commercials or between TV shows
• Make exercise fun and you're more likely to keep doing it
  • Pick activities you like
  • Don't be afraid to try new things, you might find something you like
• Don't go it alone
  • Exercising with a friend or a group helps keep you accountable
  • Share your goals with others

Starting small and building momentum is the key to making exercise a habit. Pursuing aggressive goals often leads to burnout and disappointment.  As experts in movement, your physical therapist can help you create a safe exercise plan that fits your needs, work around any pain or physical limits, learn proper form to prevent injury, and safely build strength and flexibility.  A Wellness360 Evaluation can help you understand the best options for starting on a new program, or take advantage of our Dedication Discount to establish your exercise habit with special discounts avaialble for wellness sessions scheduled through March!

Whether you're completely new to exercise or getting back into it after a break, your PT can help you start 2025 off on the right foot.  The best exercise plan is one you'll actually stick to. Start small, build slowly, and focus on consistency over perfection. Your future self will thank you!