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Published December 29, 2007 07:34 pm - By Brittany Woodby BWOODBY@CULLMANTIMES.COM With holiday parties over and swimsuit season looming in the horizon, New Years is a popular launch time for fitness goals. Slim Down Health club memberships expected to jump start new year The Cullman Times By Brittany Woodby
BWOODBY@CULLMANTIMES.COM With holiday parties over and swimsuit season looming in the horizon, New Years is a popular launch time for fitness goals. Cullman gyms are preparing the resolution rush with specials and tips to keep members on the right track. “New Year’s is always a big time for us at our fitness center, when the community is outlining their personal health and wellness goals,” said Maria Stanford, vice president of marketing for Cullman Regional Medical Center. “Last year we signed up 187 new memberships during January,” SportsFirst assistant club manager Kenneth Chambers said. “We’re hoping we can do a little bit better this year. We’re shooting for 200 memberships.” Chambers, who is also a certified personal trainer, said the gym is booming during January, February and March but members start dropping off in the spring when outdoor sports pick up and motivation wears off. “That’s just typical. That’s how it goes,” he said. “We’ll see another small rush for bathing suit weather and then it drops off again during the holidays.” Of the New Year’s new members, Chambers said he usually only sees a third still working out regularly at the end of the year. “The members that stick with it are going strong,” he said. Healthfit fitness instructor NataLee Lopez said she has signed up several new members who said they wanted a healthy start to the new year. Her advice to newcomers was to overcome any self-consciousness or preconceived notions about health clubs and give it a shot. “The most important thing is getting yourself healthy,” she said. “Get in here and see what it’s like for yourself.” Healthfit and SportsFirst, as well as several other gyms in the area, offer tours and trial visits to first-time guests. Chambers said he encourages anyone interested in starting a gym membership to go in and take a tour and ask questions. “Look around, look at all the different people there,” he said. “All our members are different. We have anywhere from 12-year-olds to people in their 90s working out. ... You definitely don’t see a ton of big muscle guys. You see your neighbor when you come in.” Many area gyms have supervised play areas for children so parents can enjoy a worry-free workout. Sports Fit health club in Vinemont goes a step further and offers a children’s exercise class once a week. “We want to help kids get involved,” Sports Fit manager Becky Pollard said. The Kids in Motion class is included with adult memberships and is open for children ages five through 10. Pollard said there is generally eight to 10 children in the weekly class. 
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