As the new year settles in, fitness routines across South Africa are being rethought, as many people are still chasing familiar goals, more movement, better health, routines that don’t fade by February, Cape {town} Etc reports.
But beyond calories burned or kilometres logged, a quieter shift is taking place. Increasingly, the success of a fitness habit is being shaped not just by what people do, but by who they do it with, and the spaces that make them want to return.
From yoga studios to outdoor walking groups, social connection is increasingly shaping how people approach fitness this year. The shift comes as researchers, wellness practitioners and community spaces highlight the link between movement, belonging and long-term wellbeing.
Why connection matters now
Health experts have long warned about the physical risks of inactivity, but growing evidence suggests that isolation carries its own set of dangers.
In its landmark report, From loneliness to social connection: charting a path to healthier societies, the WHO Commission on Social Connection warns that loneliness and social isolation can be as harmful to health and longevity as smoking and obesity.
At the same time, studies show that people who exercise together report stronger social health, greater motivation and more sustainable routines than those who work out alone.
With traditional community spaces shrinking and digital interaction often replacing face-to-face engagement, fitness has become one of the few remaining opportunities for regular, in-person connection.
Fitness beyond the solo grind
Jeanae Dumas, who is the co-founder of One Flow Yoga and Wellness Social Club in Green Point, says social wellness is no longer a side benefit of exercise, it is becoming central to it.
‘On average, we should be aiming to spend 5 to 7 hours a week exercising. If we choose solo pursuits or uncomfortable, socially disconnected spaces for our fitness routines, then our physical activities will only be adding to the hours when we are socially isolated,‘ she explains.
‘Also, there’s no accountability when you are exercising alone, and more chance that your good intentions to become fit or improve your fitness in 2026 will fall by the wayside like most New Year’s resolutions.’
The idea is simple: fitness spaces that prioritise connection tend to keep people coming back.
At One Flow, social wellness is built into both the physical space and the programming. The Green Point studio offers yoga classes, Sauna Journeys and strength-based sessions such as Sculpt Kettle Bell and low-impact Sculpt LIIT classes, all designed around shared experiences rather than isolated workouts.
‘In 2026, the question for many will not only be what activity to choose, but where and with whom they choose to do it,’ says Dumas.
‘People don’t just need a workout. They need connection, engagement and a true sense of belonging.’
She adds: ‘At One Flow, our promise to our members is an authentic personal experience of being immersed in a vibrant, like-minded community.’
Rather than chasing rigid routines or solo targets, Jeanae suggests stepping back and looking at how movement fits into everyday life, and who you’re sharing it with. Her approach centres on building habits that feel supportive, flexible and genuinely enjoyable, rather than forced.
She advises choosing activities that naturally bring people together, where conversation and connection are part of the experience, not an afterthought.
Matching movement to what your body and mind need, whether that’s strength, flexibility, endurance or release, can also help make routines feel more personal and sustainable.
Starting modestly is key, as committing to a handful of group sessions each week often works better than overloading schedules that quickly fall apart. Pairing exercise with social interaction, meeting friends, joining regular groups or simply staying open to new connections, can help turn consistency into something that feels natural.
Jeanae also encourages anchoring the week with simple rituals, paying attention to how exercise affects mood and energy levels, and making use of accessible community options like walking groups, Parkruns and outdoor gyms. Shared challenges, such as cold-water swimming done safely in groups, can strengthen motivation while building trust.
Finally, she stresses the importance of finding spaces where people feel comfortable, welcomed and supported, environments that make it easier to return, reconnect and keep moving long after initial enthusiasm fades.
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Picture: One Flow/Supplied
