Busy time of year for the gyms
The annual flurry of new members at South Canterbury gyms for the start of the year is underway.
Gym owners said the new year usually meant an increase in memberships as many people set New Year’s resolutions to get in shape.
Four Peak Fitness in Geraldine owner Rachel Scott said the number of people joining her gym has increased since January 1.
Timaru Curves owner Vicki Truman said the long summer days also act as a motivator for those looking to get fit in the new year.
‘‘This time of year with good weather, fun times and a chance to stop and enjoy life often gives people time to reflect on how they’re managing their lives and so health becomes a priority and memberships increase.’’
Truman said that at the start of every year the common theme is to resolve poor diet choices and lack of exercise due to other life commitments taking precedence leading up to the holiday season.
Contrary to popular belief, Scott said many people who sign up in the new year keep their membership active for a whole year and beyond.
‘‘The majority of members signing up do manage to commit to themselves and their goal longer than one month,’’ she said.
‘‘Percentage wise I would say about 90 per cent of my members signing up, carry on beyond the year.’’
She said focusing on ‘‘making the gym and resistance training a part of your life and routine rather than treating it as a optional commitment that you give or take based on how busy you are’’, is a good way to stick to the gym.
‘‘If your health and fitness is important to you, then no excuse should ever be greater.’’
Truman agrees that a focal point is key for those wanting to get fit and lose weight.
‘‘You just need to be specific with your goals. To say you want to get fit and lose weight is too broad. You need to break that down and be accountable to someone, preferably a trained coach,’’ Truman said.
For those already reaping the benefits of the gym, being fit and healthy while socialising is a reason to keep going back.
Four Peak Fitness member Peter Robinson, 79, joined the gym because he was on a Lion’s Club project pushing around bales of hay when he realised he was out of breath.
‘‘I thought either these bales are getting very heavy or I am getting very weak,’’ the former policeman said.
‘‘So I thought I’d better do something about it.’’
Kath Dawson’s first day at the gym was Monday.
‘‘A New Year resolution was part of the reason I joined the gym,’’ the 40-year-old said.
‘‘I had to get myself into gear and get the weight off.’’
Val Dale, turns 78 in February, and loves exercise.
She also enjoys aspect of gyms.
‘‘They host classes here and helps to meet other people,’’ she the social said. ‘‘And later we go for a coffee . . . nothing stronger.’’
Dale said she had a new knee put in five months ago and the the gym was helping with the healing.
Her inspiration came from her grandson, Ben Thompson, who is a crossfit instructor in Dubai.