Fitness resolutions are out for 2025: Brits turn to unusual hobbies to beat the January blues

When it comes to resolutions, many Brits are saying “out with the old and in with the new”, ditching gym gear and exercise equipment for alternative pursuits like darts, crafting, and even card games to beat the January blues.

Data from OnBuy, the UK’s leading online cashback marketplace, reveals that while fitness fads continue to be popular for some of its 6.5 million customers, many are swapping treadmills and dumbbells for cards, darts and crochet hooks.

Indeed, compared with January last year, crochet kits have seen purchases increase by a whopping 157% across the OnBuy platform while darts equipment purchases are up 65% and card games have also seen a 22% boost.

Among the millions of products to choose from, the top 500 products flying off the virtual shelves include dartboards, knitting machines, 3D printing pens, and games like Catan, Herd Mentality, and Exploding Kittens.

Clearly darts fever is still sweeping the nation, no doubt sparked by 17-year-old Luke Littler’s recent victory at the PDC World Darts Championship. Hundreds of Brits are adding dartboards and protective surrounds to their shopping carts – proving there’s other ways to hit your goals this January.

Meanwhile, the crafty among us are using January to master niche skills while taking advantage of OnBuy’s cashback deals – up to 15%, which is doubled for VIP members – those who shop twice in 60 days on the platform.

OnBuy reports soaring sales of crochet kits, knitting machines, yarn, and needle weaving sets as Brits embrace creative resolutions.

While some are stitching up a storm or scoring triple 20s, others are keeping cosy with family favourites. Pokémon card sets, home projectors and board games have seen a post-Christmas sales surge, with the ongoing cold snap turning living rooms into the perfect haven for cosy game nights.

Not everyone’s ditched their fitness goals, though. Walking treadmill pads and treadmills are also selling fast, making British-born AI-powered OnBuy the one-stop shop for both active and alternative resolutions, offering up to 15% instantly redeemable cashback on everything from darts to dumbbells.

OnBuy’s top four best-selling hobby categories since January 1st, 2025, are:

Board games, card games and party gamesTreadmills, walking pads and accessoriesDarts boards, darts and accessoriesKnitting and fibre craftsRosie Fitzgerald, Cashback Expert and Head of Brand at OnBuy, said: "Whether you’re picking up a new hobby, hoping to become the next darts champion, or simply trying to keep fit, OnBuy has you covered. With millions of products, we’re committed to helping customers find exactly what they need – not just for January, but for the entire year ahead."

So, whether you’re aiming for that bullseye, cosying up with a board game, or trying a new crafty hobby, OnBuy is here to help you "resolve" to have fun this year.