It’s that time of year again: fresh starts, clean slates and all those “new year, new me” feels buzzing in the air. If you’re like most of us, December and January were a blur of holidays, lounging and maybe a few too many festive treats. But February can be your chance to hit reset, get intentional, and make your health and fitness goals feel not just achievable, but genuinely exciting.
And the best part? You don’t have to do it alone. There are some incredible local spots ready to help you kick off 2026 stronger, fitter, and more motivated than ever.
CrossFit Armidale offers a dedicated functional fitness space right in the heart of Armidale, designed to support every level of athlete, from complete beginners to seasoned CrossFitters. Their gym features a fully equipped CrossFit-style facility where structured classes run throughout the week, each led by experienced coaches who help you master the movements and scale workouts to your ability with safety and technique in mind. They also offer a gentle program for newcomers, personalised guidance and a variety of scheduled sessions that keep your training fresh, challenging and fun as you build strength, endurance and confidence.
Owner, Jim Ridley said, “Being fit and healthy isn’t about one big secret thing or tip, it is about doing one small thing each day. Starting without any support or help is the hardest part at times, but even if it is allocating 20 mins to go for a walk before or after work three times a week, well it is really that small of a thing to do to get started. If you want that to stick recruit a friend to come with you and put it in your calendar and don’t book anything else in that time!”
“Even if your friend can’t make one session, you still do it, after all it is only 20 mins to help you live for hopefully another 20 years!”
Over in Tamworth there’s the community-driven powerhouse of Demon CrossFit, where fitness is never boring and every day brings something different.
The team at Demon bring a dynamic and fully equipped fitness experience to life, with a spacious gym floor, extensive weights and resistance equipment, rowing and skiing machines, assault and echo bikes, a large gymnastics rig and dedicated spaces for both group and private training sessions. Their structured classes go beyond just workouts, from foundational CrossFit sessions to specialised barbell, gymnastics and engine (cardio-focused) classes mean that there’s something to suit every fitness level, and all movements can be scaled to match individual ability. With experienced coaches on hand to teach proper technique and keep you challenged, Demon CrossFit makes every visit purposeful, engaging and supportive.
Justin from Demon CrossFit said, “A lot of people seem to think CrossFit is scary – It’s really not. I want people to know that you don’t have to be an athlete to join in. We have members from 10 years old to 78 years old.”
“It’s a great, comfortable environment, we’re very family-friendly and we’ve got a fantastic, welcoming community.”
When asked what his number one tip for getting into a good fitness routine was, he said, “Consistency is key.”
“Nothing happens overnight, but if you stick with it and keep turning up for yourself, you’ll see and feel the results.”
New Year’s resolutions might start with high energy, but the real progress happens when you make things a habit. And that’s where having the right space and the right people makes all the difference.
Maybe you love the flexibility of a gym that’s open day and night with full facilities. Maybe you thrive in a structured group class where you feed off everyone else’s energy. The key is to find what feels right for you and use it to propel you forward.
And look, we won’t sugarcoat it. There will be days when you’re tired, when you’d rather sleep than sweat, or when the couch looks way more appealing than the gym floor. That’s normal. Start now, and by mid-year you’ll thank yourself for every early morning, every extra rep and every moment you did choose you.
So here’s to 2026, the year you take control, get strong and make your health goals stick.
Throughout February we’re going to be helping New Englanders look good and feel great.
Read all the Fantastic Feb stories here
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