New Year New You

Wellwoman & Wellman highlights the power of simple daily changes to support long term wellness

• 65% of Brits are looking to improve their physical fitness in 2026.
• Gymhibition, the fear of exercising around others, affects nearly half (42%) of adults, pushing the nation towards home workouts and gentler wellbeing routines.
• Over half (54%) say daily vitamins & supplements help them stick to healthy habits long-term.

As we step into the New Year, new research* from Wellwoman & Wellman, reveals the nations’ attitudes towards health and fitness with 65% of Brits are looking to improve their physical fitness in 2026, with 45% motivated to build strength rather than lose weight.

That said, nearly half (42%) admit that “gymhibition” – the fear of exercising around others – stops them from working out in public spaces.

As the pressure to “transform” in January prevails, the data indicates that Brits are redefining what success looks like. Less about drastic overhauls, and more about habits that feel manageable, confidence-boosting and long-term.

Barriers to exercising in public

Concerns about body confidence (37%), intimidation from more athletic gym-goers (33%), and fear of being watched (32%) were all cited as major barriers to exercising in public, reinforcing why many are turning to gentler, or less public forms of supporting their health and self-care.

Practical and emotional deterrents also hold people back. A lack of motivation (34%) and low energy (28%), time pressures (35%), and the cost of gym memberships (37%) were also cited as reasons fitness routines fall by the wayside. While others admitted feeling unsure where to start (25%) or worried about “doing it wrong” (19%) when exercising around others.

Despite this, the desire to be healthier remains strong. When asked what motivates their New Year fitness resolutions, wanting to boost their energy levels (40%), improve mental wellbeing (39%), and feel more confident in their bodies (39%) were top rated by Brits.

In contrast, more intense or performance-led fitness resolutions ranked far lower, with just 5% set to train for endurance events such as an Iron Man or Marathon, and fewer than 2% committing to high-intensity programmes like Hyrox.

Many are choosing more accessible fitness-related goals. Walking 10,000 steps a day (31%), doing home workouts (36%), prioritising sleep (22%), and focusing on everyday movement and hydration, all featured among the most popular resolutions.

More than half (59%) said they preferred making “one small change” over a bigger lifestyle overhaul. Simple daily habits such as drinking a glass of water before meals (48%) or taking vitamins with breakfast (42%) support this mentality.

More than half (54%) agree that taking supplements regularly helps them stay consistent, underscoring the appeal of manageable routines that support health and wellbeing.

“Gymfluencers” - high reach, low impact

Despite their huge presence in popular culture, influencers (6%) andathletes (4%) are not a motivating factor, with nearly half of Brits (44%) saying that instead, they, are their own biggest motivator.

Rather than chasing curated online ideals, Brits are prioritising offline wellbeing, balance, and habits that support both physical and mental health, reflected by the fact more than a third (35%) are actively looking to reduce their screen time.

Melissa Cohen, Head of Nutrition for Wellwoman & Wellman at Vitabiotics says

“It's encouraging to see the nation is ready and dedicated to enhancing their health in 2026, with that 65% focussing on physical fitness. We know that various factors can hinder individuals from reaching their goals, but establishing realistic habits can pave the way for success and support larger, long-term health objectives.”

“Our research shows the significance of setting attainable resolutions to develop routines that lead to lasting success. Simple actions, like consistently eating a healthy balanced diet, taking vitamins supplements to fill any dietary gaps or drinking at least two litres of water daily, can have a positive impact throughout one's life.”