AMA with NASM-Certified Personal Trainer Jenny McCoy

Training in the winter can be brutal. It’s cold out, the days are shorter, making motivation to hit the gym or trails regularly a toss-up.

Despite the frigid months, many people have made a commitment to get back into or begin working toward their fitness goals. According to a YouGov survey, Americans’ number-one New Year’s resolution in 2026 is to exercise more—25 percent of those who have made a resolution set this as their main priority this year. Improving physical health (22 percent) and eating healthier (21 percent) also rank in the top five resolutions.

Even though a good chunk of people, 39 percent, believe they will meet their goals, actually sticking to the resolution can be a challenge. Maybe you’re daunted by the weightlifting section at the gym. Perhaps you’re not quite sure how to set realistic goals for yourself, or maybe you just want some help getting started. Even if you’re a seasoned fitness enthusiast, you might need some tips on how to switch up your routine to alleviate boredom and build on your progress.

Meet Certified Personal Trainer, Jenny McCoy

For expert advice, we enlisted Jenny McCoy, a personal trainer and behavior change specialist. She earned both of these certifications through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Jenny is currently a fitness instructor and teaches water aerobics classes, and is Outside’s Moves columnist.

“It’s great to have big goals—like running a marathon or adopting a five-day-a-week strength training program, but it’s also important to strive for smaller milestones along the way, such as running a 5K or learning how to properly deadlift,” she says.

On January 20, between 2 P.M. and 3 P.M. Eastern time, Jenny will be available to answer any questions (in real time!) that you have about training, staying motivated through the winter, or just learning how to nail the perfect squat form.

How to Join the Live Q&A

1. First, make sure to bookmark this page and block one hour on your calendar for January 20 at 2 P.M. Eastern.
2. When you’re ready to ask your questions, click “Sign In” or “Join Now” at the top right of this page. (Don’t worry, you’ll be redirected right back to this page once you’re logged in.)
3. Open the comments section, either by clicking the comment icon near the top of this article or tapping on the black comments box at the bottom.
4. Leave your comment. Ask any fitness or training-related questions. If you need a workout idea or a way to stay motivated, Jenny’s got you covered. (But if you have any cool workout tips or ideas, don’t hesitate to share them, too.)
5. Check back in for a response. You’ll get email notifications when you receive a reply, so make sure they’re turned on.

If you’ve already got some questions for Jenny, you can submit them through this form. Those questions will appear in the comments section during the live AMA (they will remain anonymous). We can’t wait to see you there!