David Lloyd Clubs is launching a range of new classes where the emphasis is on fun and play, to help people to build the fitness habit. 

The kidult classes are being trialed at selected clubs and are a series of guided sessions which reintroduce the joy of play into adult health and wellness. They draw on familiar, nostalgic childhood games, such as What’s the Time Mr Wolf, Grandma’s Footsteps, hopscotch, tag and wheelbarrow races.

There’s science behind the fun. Psychologist, Dr Tara Quinn-Cirill, says joy plays a crucial role in habit formation and long-term goal adherence: “When an activity feels enjoyable, repetition strengthens the expectation of a feel-good reward. This creates a positive feedback loop that boosts motivation – making people far more likely to keep going over time.”

Michelle Dand, head of product and programming at David Lloyd Clubs, says this represents a move away from hardcore, unachievable fitness goals to a more holistic view of wellness: “Our resolution for 2026 is to help members swerve the January guilt and embrace joy as they get moving again after a well-deserved festive break, with kidulting moves they can try out in the gym and our new kidulting sessions. 

“With 51 per cent of the nation already embracing their inner kidult, we want to further encourage this and help people take inspiration from their childhood when approaching health, fitness and wellness. Consistency grows when exercise feels supportive, not demanding and most importantly when it’s fun.”

Championing the campaign is TV and radio personality Mark Wright, who has put the kidulting workouts to the test. He also trialed a prototype exercise bike, the Joyride, inspired by childhood nostalgia, which is designed to spark a smile while working up a sweat. 

Wright says: “Wellness has always been important to me, but at times exercise has felt more grin and bear it than grin and enjoy it.  That’s why kidulting is something I am so excited by. I can’t wait to help the nation rediscover some much needed joy at this time of year!”