The People Behind The Pledge

January 10, 2025

January is famous for goal setting. This year GoodGymers got the option to kick start their health, fitness and volunteering resolutions with a pledge - a personal goal that feeds into GoodGym’s January Challenge to complete 5000 good deeds and 65,000km.

Why do pledges exist?

Forbes found “91% of people fail to keep their New Year's resolutions”. A sad statistic that proves we could all do with some added accountability now and then. To increase your chances of achieving a goal, you should: * Make it specific * Tell others * Have done a bit of it before * Have a plan for achieving it

To support GoodGymers with their January plans, pledges were introduced in December allowing people to commit to doing good and getting fit in the new year.

The People Behind The Pledges

David, Gill, Dan and Dave all made pledges, and here they discuss their individual goals and motivations for January and beyond, the challenges they’re facing and how they’ll push themselves to do more for themselves, and their communities.

David: Finding balance

David is a new parent and long-time GoodGymer. His now-wife convinced him to join her at a session in 2017, since then David has amassed an impressive 267 good deeds. As any parent knows, juggling life’s responsibilities can be challenging and with the introduction of a newborn, staying active and volunteering has been more difficult than ever.

David pledged 4 good deeds, and 50km in hopes to regain routine and improve his physical and mental health while still contributing to his community.

“I like that with GoodGym there’s no commitment to be there every week. I want to stay active for health reasons and combining the two makes sense, it gives me a reason to go out and run and feel good about myself too.”

As to be expected, balancing family life with his goals may be a challenge as he finds himself one bad night away from having to skip exercise and/or volunteering the next day. Yet, David reminds himself of the benefit to both his physical and mental wellbeing provided by a GoodGym session, and recognises how a small allocation of time here can have a drastic impact on the other areas of his life.

Gill: Battling injury

Gill is a former Deputy Head Teacher and avid Luton GoodGymer who recently surpassed 400 good deeds, almost all of which came in the last few years. Despite a recent injury in both feet that has taken her away from running, forcing her into walking - she pledged 8 good deeds and 30km’s for Luton’s total.

“I enjoy being active. I feel so much better in my head - running and working out is like therapy for me. I also enjoy volunteering - especially with GoodGym as the volunteering opportunities are so varied and there is no expectation to commit to the same task at the same time every week. This means I can fit in tasks around my other hobbies, commitments and work.”

Spurred on by the supportive group at GoodGym Luton, and the regular encouragement (or ‘shove’ as she puts it) from loved ones at home, Gill feels confident in achieving her goal. In fact, she admits her pledge is conservative. Opting to overperform and get an extra dose of feel-good, rather than over commit amidst an injury.

Gill is a team player, she concludes her hopes for the end of January are focused on GoodGym Luton achieving it’s target - and the inevitable celebratory social that comes with it. Not to mention the sense of achievement from being part of the group devoting hundreds of hours towards community projects in the Luton area.

Dan: Full steam ahead

Dan is a freelance filmmaker who found a sense of belonging and purpose in GoodGym after moving to London. In only a year and a half, Dan has completed 87 good deeds, become an integral member of GoodGym Hackney’s TaskForce, and improved his running from finding 3km difficult, to running 10km without stopping.

“My motivation to join Goodgym was to stay fit and meet new people, doing a good deed on top was a bonus!”

Pledging 5 good deeds and 50km. Dan aims to push himself and stay active during the colder months whilst still helping others. He set his goals close, but slightly above his usual routine.

Dan has gone from strength to strength in 2024 and looks set for an even bigger 2025. He hopes to feel healthier, happier and better connected to the many community projects in and around Hackney come the end of January.

Dave: Rising to the challenge

Dave and his wife have been active GoodGymers for over 5 years. An accountant by trade and dad of 2, Dave manages to stay active by cycling his commute, hitting the gym a couple times, and squeezing in a few GoodGym sessions each week.

“I love volunteering with Goodgym. Once or twice a week gives me peace of mind that I’m doing at least something to give back. Great for the heart and soul.”

Dave is a member of GoodGym Kingston and opted for an ambitious but attainable goal. He has pledged 10 good deeds and a mighty 500km - stating the GoodGym pledge will give him “a clear goal and keeps me in check!”.

An impressive target by all standards, Dave says the hardest part will be adding extra miles onto his commute, or ignoring the beckoning call of the sofa on a chilly evening. Both however, are nothing in comparison to the thought of helping others and the community he says - and adding all important miles to Kingston’s team total.

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Contribute to your area’s January Challenge by joining a session today

Find our more about the benefits of GoodGym, as found by the London School of Economics

Visit the January Challenge page to view your personal, area, and GoodGym’s total progress