It's typical in Monroe County for new members to fill the gyms and fitness centers, following up on New Year's resolutions.

As Pat Cano looked out across her small gym last week, she was heartened to see every machine and station in use.

Cano, a Woodhaven resident, has owned and operated ABS Fitness in Carleton for 16 years.

A small club studio, it hosts several fitness classes and has open gym hours during the week.

A veteran of the health and fitness industry, Cano is used to an uptick in customers at the beginning of each year. Like several gyms across Monroe County, she sees new members come in as they want the pounds to come off.

The trend is usually attributable to New Years resolutions, Cano said.

People start coming in, asking about what we offer, she said. Weve been getting pretty full in here; its actually pretty nice.

Attendance trends

ABS Fitness is a womens club with 24 stations and a rotating slate of courses ranging from high-intensity interval training to programs geared toward low- impact rehabilitation exercise.

About the second week of January is when it receives the most new members, Cano said, adding she attracts the most customers each year from that point through February.

Im definitely seeing an increase, she said. (Right now) I would like to see more, but its still pretty early in the season.

To kick off each year, Canos gym hosts a Biggest Loser Challenge, in which anyone can buy into the competition and win a pool of money if she loses the most weight. Its been a popular program, she said.

The local YMCA gym sees a similar spike in membership each year, typically during the first six to eight weeks of the new year, according to Kristin Irwin, CEO of the Monroe Family YMCA.

Like Cano, Irwin said more people start coming into the YMCA as a result of resolutions. The facility has various fitness programs, a pool and its wellness center.

LevelUp Training Complex also is seeing an increase in customers. Owner Jon Carrabino said hes experiencing a surge in those attending adult fitness programs. It hosts an adult fitness boot camp.

Its also a busy time for student athletes, who use the facility for training and wellness programs related to their chosen sport. Additionally, more than 200 local students are enrolled in various club sport programs at the facility, he said.

Its been a crazy week, he added. Fitness is an investment in yourself.

Other than the beginning of the year, attendance spikes vary among local fitness centers and gyms.

Because of the nature of his business, Carrabino sees a large increase in clientele during the summer as young athletes use their time off to train.

The spring is an active time for the YMCA, according to Irwin. She said the facility sees a lot of people working to get fit in preparation for vacations and warm weather.

We also see an increase in general activity in the facility during school and college breaks and also any time the weather turns bad, she added.

At ABS Fitness, Cano has noticed people are less likely to attend her gym during the summer. Its the season when people spend the most time outdoors or being active.

Attendance definitely drops off, Cano said. People will have every excuse in the book, but theyll come back (in the fall).

Overcoming numbers

The majority of gym memberships across the country are purchased in January.

About 11% of new starts occur at the beginning of the year, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association. Like Cano, the organization points to resolutions as being the driving force at the start of the year.

But research also shows that while resolutions get people to the gym, they hardly spell success.

About 80% percent of resolutions fail by February. Most people who sign up for the gym as a result of them discontinue their memberships by mid-year, according to IHRSA.

I hate New years resolutions nobody sticks with it, Cano said. You have to be mindful of what you want for yourself, whether it is Jan. 1st or the end of December.

Mindfulness is key to success, Cano said. She cultivates a family atmosphere at ABS Fitness because it helps build a positive experience, which is especially important for those intimidated when they first enter a gym.

Exercising at a fitness center also is an opportunity to motivate other gym- goers, particularly newcomers, Cano said.

We are all laughing as we work out, Cano said. When youre home and trying to work out, youre always distracted. Here, you dont have the interruptions.

At the YMCA, new members can opt to receive a free orientation. Trainers show those members how to properly use the equipment and how it can be utilized to meet new members goals, according to Irwin.

Her facility places an emphasis on community, which comes is beneficial when there is increased gym usage. Its an opportunity for veteran gym members to help out the freshmen class.

If you see someone struggling, help them out, Irwin said. You can impact a persons life more than you ever know by just displaying kindness.

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Physical fitness: Centers fill up at start of year - Monroe Evening News