As she waited for a BodyPump 100 launch class to begin Jan. 14 at the Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex, Danielle Duley said she’s glad the new year often drives more people to the gym.
But she hopes they can stick with their resolutions past the first month or two of the year and make personal fitness a priority.
“To all those people who start in the new year, it would be good to keep it going forward,” said Duley, a physical therapist and Oak Park resident.
Several fitness studios, gyms and wellness centers contacted said they typically see a boost in membership or class attendance in January amid resolution season, and said the beginning of 2017 was no different.
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“We’ve been in business for over 33 years, and I’d say there is definitely a cycle,” said Polly Grimes, human resources manager at the Tennis and Fitness Centre of OPRF. “We’re in that cycle, and we’re doing just fine.”
Dave Rankin, membership director at FFC Oak Park, said the beginning of another year often drives past or current members to recommit to working out.
Many local studios and fitness centers offer promotions, perks and challenges in January and beyond to encourage clients to return and remain committed past the new year rush.
People have the best intentions right now, Rankin said, but incentives help to keep them coming back.
“I think a lot of it is just it’s an accepted norm, this being the time to do it,” Rankin said of the renewed interest at this time of year. Plus, he added, Chicago’s harsh winter weather tends to keep those seeking a workout indoors.
“I think that always plays a part, too,” he said.
Grimes said the Tennis and Fitness Centre — which she said works to keep members happy by offering classes taught by quality instructors and clean and functional equipment — starts to see a burst of newcomers as the cold weather hits.
“It actually starts sooner than January,” she said.
Ali Haynes, owner and master trainer at The Barre Code in Oak Park, said her studio has seen a significant amount of new clients this winter, with the influx just prior to Christmas. She attributed that partly to promotions that kept customers coming in during the holiday season.
“We had some strong starts in terms of not just waiting until Jan. 1,” she said.
Holly Blakeley, co-owner and teacher at The Dailey Method and Dailey Cycle, said they, too, are seeing large numbers of clients this time of year, and believes the results members see keep them coming back.
“Everyone’s always got resolutions, so that’s good for us,” she said.
Natalie Coon, studio manager for CorePower Yoga of Oak Park/River Forest, said the number of people who signed up for monthly memberships went from 322 last quarter to 350 as of Jan. 12. With membership at $155 per month, Coon said that’s a notable increase.
She also noted class attendance has increased 20 to 30 percent, and they typically see that taper off by mid-February to early March.
Phillip Jimenez, president and CEO of the West Cook YMCA, said there’s a variety of reasons people come to the Y, from affordable housing to wellness opportunities for the whole family. The increase the West Cook YMCA sees in January equates to about 10 percent of the total membership, which is just under 7,000 individuals, he said.
“By all means, this is a very high volume month for us,” Jimenez said.
Laura Greeley, program supervisor for the Park District of Oak Park, said they’re seeing an increase in pass sales and daily workouts over last year, but acknowledged that’s also due to the park district’s marketing program designed to draw more attention to its fitness offerings.
Especially this time of year, classes like yoga, Pilates, high-intensity interval training, barre, cycling and BodyPump draw crowds, she said, but cycling has seen the most interest: the park district has had to add classes and order more bikes.
“It’s definitely been consistent with industry trends,” Greeley said of the seasonal boost.
Haynes encouraged those with fitness in mind to set realistic goals and recognize that small steps can lead to change.
“There’s a lot of people out there at this time of year that want to try something new,” she said. “It’s a perfect time of year to refresh, reset and kind of refocus.”
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.