Getting in Shape in 2021: Rethink Personal Goals, Virtual Options

After enduring a second shutdown to help limit the spread of COVID-19, gyms are back in business, and Olivia Barfnecht of New Hope is getting a head start on her fitness goals for 2021 at the Plymouth Life Time.

“To get better muscle definition, just be more consistent with my workout,” Barfnecht said, referring to her goals. “And also something that’s really key is diet, which is something I have not been consistent with in the past.”

To help Barfnecht reach those goals, she’s enlisted the help of personal trainer Ryan Beeuwsaert, who’s teaching her a few new moves, and helping to hold her accountable in the process.

“[Ryan’s] great, he really gets me motivated and knows good exercises for my goals,” Barfnecht said.

Personal Trainer Ryan Beeuwsaert helps Olivia Barfnecht with a leg workout.

Setting a fitness goal is usually a popular trend for people as they enter the new year, but 2020 has been anything but normal.

“So 2020 was a pretty turbulent year, a lot of times people’s goals were kind of thrown into a rut with this whole pandemic, so with 2021 we want to make sure people set a very achievable and real goal,” Beeuwsaert said.

Starting the new year off right

His advice is to start the new year with one positive action, versus setting a goal that’s too big or intimidating.

“The biggest thing is you want to make sure you’re coming in each day and seeing success on some level,” Beeuwsaert said. “We’re looking for small wins here that add up to a big result. So making sure you’re monitoring that every single time. Find something good every single day, even if it’s something small like ‘I spent an extra two minutes on the treadmill.’ That’s still a win, that’s a huge win.”

Huge wins have been hard to come by during COVID, with gyms being closed for a quarter of the year.

“It was kind of disappointing not having the gym, but now that it’s back open it’s a lot better,” Barfnecht said.

And with certain restrictions still in place, not everyone is rushing back to exercise indoors, which is why virtual training sessions are gaining popularity to accommodate the people at home.

“Jobs are moving indoors and home, now personal training has kind of moved that way as well,” Beeuwsaert said. “We meet people where they’re at based on the equipment they have available, the space they have, and it works out really well.”

While the conditions may not be perfect right now, setting and achieving a New Year’s resolution based on fitness is still possible, as long as you have the right mindset.

“Eliminate all of the barriers in your mind,” Beeuwsaert said. “Take some time, look at yourself in the mirror, think about where you want to be in 2021.”

Barfnecht is already on the right track.

“Yes, I just haven’t actually implemented the thoughts yet,” she said with a laugh.

Plymouth