Setting Fitness Goals

Setting fitness goals can be both exciting and overwhelming. Often, people start their journey fuelled by inspiration, only to find themselves frustrated when progress slows or motivation dips. In many cases, the problem is not with the goal itself but with the way it has been chosen or approached.

At Foundry, we believe goal setting should be empowering, not discouraging. When done thoughtfully, it gives your training real purpose, builds consistency and helps you stay on track when life gets busy. Most importantly, it makes your fitness journey something that fits into your lifestyle, rather than taking over it.

Moving Beyond The ‘Shoulds’

Many people start their fitness journey with goals that are not truly their own. They feel they should lose weight or look a certain way, often based on social expectations or images seen online. These types of goals are rarely sustainable because they are not rooted in personal values or needs.

Instead, take the time to consider what you want from your training. This could be more energy for your day, better sleep, improved strength, or simply the ability to keep up with your kids. When goals come from a genuine place, they feel more meaningful and are easier to stick to.

Finding Your Place On The Continuum

Think of fitness as a spectrum. On one end is the version of you that rarely exercises, eats whatever feels convenient, and pays little attention to sleep or hydration. On the other end is the version that trains five times a week, eats well most of the time, and prioritises recovery and routine.

Most people fall somewhere in the middle. You might manage two or three sessions a week, make decent food choices most days and aim for a healthy balance. That is perfectly normal, and there is no need to chase perfection. Setting goals based on your current position and where you realistically want to be is far more productive than trying to jump from one extreme to the other.

Matching Your Goals To Your Choices

One of the most common reasons for frustration is setting goals that are not matched by lifestyle choices. For instance, you may want to drop two dress sizes or run a half marathon, but if you are only willing or able to train once a week, that progress will be slow.

This is not about lowering expectations. It is about being honest with yourself. If you want significant change, you will need to make choices that support it. If your time is limited or you are juggling other priorities, choose a goal that fits your current capacity. Small, consistent steps often lead to better results than dramatic plans that are hard to maintain.

Choosing Process Over Outcome

Instead of focusing on the end result, such as losing a certain amount of weight, shift your attention to the habits that will help you get there. These are called process goals, and they tend to be more within your control.

Examples of process goals include:

Training three times a week
Preparing five home-cooked meals each week
Drinking two litres of water a day
Walking for twenty minutes every lunchtime

These goals create structure and help build positive habits. When you focus on the process, the outcome often takes care of itself.

Creating Structure With Support

At Foundry, we believe structure makes progress easier. Our Small Group Personal Training sessions are designed to provide expert coaching in a friendly, supportive setting. Each session is tailored to your needs and fitness level, helping you stay consistent and accountable.

Rather than leaving you to figure it out on your own, our coaches guide you through every step. Whether your goal is to feel stronger, move better or build confidence, we help you stay on course and adjust your approach as needed.

Shaping Goals Around Healthspan

While it is perfectly valid to want to feel more confident in your clothes or see visual changes, we encourage people to think about goals in terms of healthspan as well. Healthspan refers to the quality of your life, not just its length.

Regular exercise helps you maintain energy, reduce the risk of illness and feel capable in daily life. It also supports mental wellbeing, improves sleep and helps manage stress. When your goals are connected to how you want to live and feel, rather than just how you want to look, your motivation tends to be stronger and longer-lasting.

Adjusting As You Go

Goals are not set in stone. They are meant to evolve with you. As you improve or as life changes, it is important to revisit your goals and make adjustments. Perhaps you began with the goal of feeling fitter and now want to build strength. Or maybe you need to ease off for a while due to a change in routine or energy levels.

Being flexible does not mean giving up; it means being adaptable. It means staying aware of what works and making adjustments that keep you moving forward, even if at a slower pace. Regular check-ins with your coach can help you reassess and refocus as needed.

Connecting Goals To SGPT

Small Group Personal Training at Foundry is designed to help you achieve your personal goals with clarity and consistency. You benefit from:

A tailored training programme that adapts with your progress
Expert coaching and support in every session
Motivation and camaraderie from training with like-minded people
A structured approach that makes your time in the gym more effective

This balance of individual attention and group energy helps keep you engaged, making the process more enjoyable.

Staying Grounded And Enjoying The Process

The best goals are the ones that feel achievable and make you feel good. You do not need to transform overnight. Progress is often slower than we hope, but it adds up over time. What matters most is staying in the habit and celebrating the wins along the way.

Fitness should support your life, not complicate it. With the right approach, it becomes something you look forward to, not something you dread. Set goals that feel right for you, then take small, steady steps towards them. That is the real secret to success.

Ready To Set Your Goals?

At Foundry, we help you clarify your goals and support you in achieving them through expert coaching and proven structure. Whether you’re just getting started or want to move things forward, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.