New Year's resolution: join a club, not a gym
The short answer
A running club or cycling group gives a New Year's resolution what's hard to keep alone: a fixed time each week, people at your pace who notice when you're missing, and a race to aim for. Find one near you, start in its beginner group, go twice before you decide, and pick a race about three months out as your goal.
Most fitness resolutions are made alone, on the first of January, and kept alone, until the first cold, dark or busy week. A club changes the maths: there's a time, there are people expecting you, and there's somewhere to go with it. This guide is for anyone starting to run or ride in the New Year: why a club helps, how to start, and a plan for the first three months. It's one of livedot's guides to finding a club or race.
Why does a club help a resolution stick?
Because it moves the decision out of your hands. On your own, every session is a choice you make again. With a club, it's on the calendar, and someone notices if you're not there.
- A fixed time. Tuesday at 17:30 or Saturday at 06:00, every week. No planning, no negotiating with yourself.
- People at your pace. A beginner group means you're never the only one finding it hard.
- A reason to go when the weather's bad. Others are going.
- Someone who knows the way. Routes, safe roads, where to stop.
- A goal. Most clubs race. A club race about three months out gives January a point.
None of this is about being fast. It's about turning up, which is the part that counts.
Club or gym: which should I choose?
Both have their place, and many people use both. A gym is good for strength, mobility and training whenever suits you. A club gives you people, a fixed time and a goal outside. If your resolution is "run a 10 km (6.2 mi)" or "ride 100 km (62 mi)", the club is where you'll practise the thing itself.
| You want | A club gives you | A gym gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | A fixed weekly time with others | Any time that suits you |
| People | A group at your pace | Classes, or training on your own |
| A goal | Club races and long rides | Your own targets |
| Strength and mobility | Some, through running or riding | A full programme |
| Cost | Set by the club; some are free | A membership |
Running or riding?
Pick the one you'll do in the rain. Both are good for you; the best one is the one you keep doing.
- Running needs shoes and not much else, and fits into an hour. Clubs often meet early mornings and weekday evenings. See how to find a running club near you.
- Riding needs a bike in good repair and covers more ground, with a café stop. Weekend mornings are the classic group ride. See how to find a beginner-friendly cycling group.
How do I find a club for January?
Ask, in the chat or in person. With livedot in ChatGPT or Claude (setup at livedot.me/mcp), ask for clubs near a place, such as "beginner running club near Brooklyn" or "cycling group near Sandton for beginners": you get the clubs near there, nearest first, with their weekly sessions and a Join button. livedot.me/clubs lists clubs by area, and the search on livedot.me finds one by name. A club's page shows every run or ride with its time, meeting point and the weather.
What should my first three months look like?
Small, regular and with a date at the end.
- January: the same session every week. Join the club's beginner run or ride and go every week, whatever the pace. Tap I'm in (RunFast) or I'm riding (Windline) so it's in your list, with the forecast the evening before.
- February: add one more. A second short session on your own, or a second club session if there is one.
- March or April: a goal. A club race, a 10 km (6.2 mi), a 50 km (31 mi) ride. Pick it in January, so every week has a reason. See how to find a race near you.
Go twice before you judge a club. The first time is nerves; the second shows you the people. Miss a week? Go the next one. A resolution doesn't fail on one missed Tuesday; it fails when the missed Tuesday becomes a missed month. The club's page keeps the next session in front of you, so the way back is one tap on I'm in or I'm riding.
What should I expect at the first session?
A friendly group and a slower start than you fear. Arrive 10 minutes early and tell someone it's your first time; they'll point you to the right group. Bring what the weather needs: water and a cap in the heat, lights and a bright top in the dark. Ask where the route goes in case you turn back early. Nobody expects you to know anything yet.
Can my family follow my first race?
Yes, live. On race day, go live from the RunFast or Windline app and send your link: friends and family see where you are on the course, your pace and when you'll finish, in any browser, and can send a tap on the back you'll feel on your phone. See how to go live on race day and get friends and family following you.
Is it free?
The apps are. Windline and RunFast, the apps clubs use for their rides, runs and races, are free for everyone, thanks to ProLend. Clubs set their own membership fees. Get the app: RunFast for running, Windline for cycling.
Questions
Is a running club better than a gym?
They do different jobs. A gym is good for strength and for training on your own time; a club gives you a fixed time, people at your pace and a goal. Many people do both: a club for running or riding, the gym for strength.
Can a complete beginner join a running club?
Yes. Many clubs have a beginner group, some with walk breaks. Read the run's description for its pace and distance, and tell someone it's your first time when you arrive.
How do I keep a fitness resolution going past January?
Make it a fixed time with people who expect you, and give it a date: a race or a long ride about three months out. A goal on the calendar turns a resolution into a plan.
How much does a club cost?
Clubs set their own membership fees, and some are free. Windline and RunFast, the apps clubs use for their rides, runs and races, are free for members.
