A big list of fitness goals you can set for 2024 that have nothing to do with losing weight

Two women after a workout

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Strong Women


A big list of fitness goals you can set for 2024 that have nothing to do with losing weight

By Lauren Geall

2 years ago

5 min read

Ditch the toxic side of the ‘new year, new me’ rhetoric and embrace a challenge with these 2024 fitness goal ideas.


As we wind down to Christmas, you might already be thinking about the new year ahead. It makes sense to start getting your ducks in a row so you can hit the ground running come 1 January, but we all know just how toxic the whole ‘new year, new me’ fitness rhetoric can be – and trying to avoid weight chat around this time of year can feel impossible.

Mercifully, here at Strong Women, we’re an anti-diet culture platform 365 days a year, so you won’t find any shredding advice here. From improved mental health to increased confidence, the benefits of moving our bodies far surpass any aesthetic changes, and the goals you set for the new year can reflect that. 

So, ahead of this year’s Christmas break, we wanted to give you some inspiration for the types of fitness goals you can set for 2024 that have absolutely nothing to do with losing weight or changing how you look. From trying a new class that intrigues you to chasing down a fresh PB, these goals will help you to reap all the transformative benefits of exercise while having fun, too.  


1. Try a new class

Women doing reformer pilates

Credit: Getty

We’re living through a golden era of fitness classes, so you’ve likely got your eye on a few new concepts you’re keen to try.

Whether you fancy booking a day pass at your local leisure centre or using a service like ClassPass to try a reformer pilates class at that boutique studio down the road, trying something new is relatively straightforward. Gymbox is famed for its inventive classes, with sessions ranging from high-intensity strength training to yoga and cocoon meditation.

It can also offer huge benefits: not only might you find your new favourite way to work out, but trying new things can give you a massive confidence boost, too.  

2. Work towards a new PB

If you like competing with yourself, then setting a new PB goal is a great place to start. Whether you want to run a new distance, improve your speed, lift a heavier weight or nail a difficult yoga pose, you’ll have something to keep you going come 1 January. 

If you’ve got a running goal, why not try an app like Runna or Coopah, which can help you to formulate a training plan? The best bit? They cater for total beginners. 

3. Play an unfamiliar sport

Woman shooting at a netball match

Credit: Getty

Tired of individual workouts? Then 2024 may be the perfect time to try your hand at a new sport. It’s a great way to improve your fitness while also having fun and keeping your mind away from stress at work and home.

Social leagues in team sports such as football and netball are on offer around the capital, and you can rent courts for games such as padel, tennis and squash. 

4. Go on a wellness retreat

If you’re tired of chasing fitness goals altogether, then focusing on your wellness could be another great step. Setting yourself a simple goal of going on a wellness retreat is easy to accomplish and will leave you with tools to look after yourself better throughout 2024 and beyond.

With so many to choose from, you’re sure to find one that suits you and your needs. You can check out our guide to some of the best to get started. 

5. Sign up for an event or competition

A woman running

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Having something to work towards is a great way to add structure and excitement to your training – let alone give you some serious motivation.

If you’re a runner, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to running events, with most towns and cities across the UK hosting some kind of race at least once a year. Check out Run Through – an event organiser that puts on events at various parks and green spaces around the country. Entry prices vary depending on the location and you can choose to run anything from a 5K to a half marathon.

But runners aren’t the only ones with events to sign up to. The obvious choice for cross trainers is Hyrox – which combines running and functional workouts to challenge the whole body – but there are plenty of cross-training events out there, too.

Swimmers can challenge themselves to events like Swim Serpentine, a multi-distance event that takes place in Hyde Park, while cyclists have the likes of Ride London and London To Brighton to keep them busy.

No matter what your discipline, working towards and completing an event is such a satisfying feeling that you’re sure to get hooked. 

6. Build a gym habit

The idea of building a gym habit can seem intimidating, but now is as good a time as any to start getting into a routine. What this goal looks like will differ for everyone, but we’d recommend starting small: perhaps aiming to go to the gym once or twice a week or attend a certain class for a couple of weeks in a row. From there, you’ll have a solid foundation to build upon.  

7. Up your average step count

A woman walking

Credit: Getty

The benefits of walking more cannot be understated – from improved mental health to increased longevity, upping your step count is a no-brainer.

Instead of trying to hit a specific number every day, aiming to up your average step count in 2024 compared to 2023 allows you to celebrate progress however that looks for you. You can then use your walking routine to try to hit the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every week while also leaving space to do other, less step-focused forms of exercise like yoga and pilates. 


Images: Getty

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