WE’VE REACHED 2026! And with the turning of the calendar, we’re all offered the opportunity to reassess ourselves and our routines. You might focus on self-improvement at home, productivity at work, improving mental health—but most of all, people use the new year to reconsider their fitness routines. You can take this moment to be the starting point for your commitment to new healthy habits, or, if you’re in the midst of a consistent fitness practice that makes you happy, a renewal for another trip around the sun following the same plan.
Before you embark on the next 365 days, take a moment to reflect on what came before. You likely had a few highlights and PRs, some tough days and low points—but mostly, just days in between when you showed up and did your best. You need all of those for a well-rounded fitness practice.
Now that the past is in your rearview, it’s time to set your intentions for 2026. You can think of these as resolutions—but we have a humble suggestion to keep your focus beyond the first weeks of January: Think of your objectives as concrete goals. Maybe you want to nail a new weight room PR, run a fast 5K, or just commit to taking time for a walk every single day. If you have an accomplishment in your sights, here’s how you can stick to a plan for long-term success and stay consistent throughout the rest of the season.
If you’re also jumping back into a fitness practice after some time off, you should also make sure you’re equipped to get back in the groove to stay consistent. Here’s a helpful guide to keep you on track. If you’re an absolute beginner, never fear—we’ve got a purpose-built plan for you, too. Interested in kickstarting a running routine, too? Use this expert-designed method to get moving.
The exercise world is just as prone to trends and fads as anything else—so you might wonder exactly what’s coming that will define 2026. The MH fitness team made some bold predictions about what’s on the horizon based on what we’ve seen across the industry lately (hint: more focus on longevity, racing and competition, and targeted nutrition).
If you’re less certain of exactly what you’d like to accomplish in 2026, we have plenty of resources to guide your way. Whether you’re looking for detailed breakdowns of the best exercises for your routines, full-on training plans, and how to put all that knowledge into practice, MH has your back. We’ll break down complex fitness topics with high-level, expert-sourced guides, starting with a program designed to maximize lean muscle: maingaining. Or, you can sign up for weekly workouts via our MH Muscle newsletter.
If you’re an MH MVP Premium member, you’ll have access to even more resources available, like the MH MVP Training Lab. If you want an even more focused plan to fit dedicated training into your schedule, the New Rules of Muscle workout program can be the next step.
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For everything else, you can also use the categories below to keep you on the right track—and keep coming back to Mens Health throughout the year for more information and inspiration to support you on your fitness journey. These exercises, workouts, and programs will help you to be a healthier, no matter what 2026 throws at us.
ABS
If you’re ready to build up that six-pack, this is the place to start.
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UPPER BODY
To forge biceps of steel, shoulder boulders, and broad back and chest muscles, this is the place to start.
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CARDIO
If you’e ready to get sweating now that the New Year is here, this is the place to start.
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LOWER BODY
To perfect your squat, grow your glutes, and sculpt your legs, this is the place to start.
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FULL BODY
To take on hard-hitting routines that challenge multiple muscle groups in one go, this is the place to start.
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Brett Williams, NASM-CPT, PES, a senior editor at Men’s Health, is a certified trainer and former pro football player and tech reporter. You can find his work elsewhere at Mashable, Thrillist, and other outlets.
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