Guernsey Press

Flurry of new memberships at gyms in New Year fitness goals

Gyms have experienced a flurry of new members, as islanders start to implement their New Year's resolutions and fitness goals.

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Gyms are seeing a predictable upturn in memberships after the New Year. Beau Sejour personal trainer and fitness instructor Dec Collenette is pictured. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 33928509)

Health and fitness-related goals feature in about 95% of people's New Year's resolutions, which has led to a surge in attendance to the local gyms.

Beau Sejour gym has been busy.

'We've had more than 20 inductions in the past week, whereas in the summer there might be one a day,' said Beau Sejour personal trainer and fitness instructor Dec Collenette.

'If you're new to the gym you might go a couple of times and be unsure, but with classes once you've met the instructor and some other people who go it makes it more personal and like an obligation to keep it going.

'People tend to stick to classes a lot more, I think because it's a more social environment and it's motivating.'

The leisure centre offers fast-track inductions for people who are familiar with the gym, but are starting at Beau Sejour gym for the first time.

And for those who may be nervous to head in for the first time,11am-3pm is typically the quietest time at the gym.

'Over the last three months or so there has been an increase in people doing personal training sessions, people with full memberships get one for free but it's a way of gaining confidence in the gym and pushing yourself,' he said.

'People also get personal training vouchers as Christmas presents for family and friends, it's definitely a good time for us and to get more clients in the programme.'

The Mulberry Health Suite at Les Rocquettes has at times had a waiting list over the busy period.

Gym manager Agrit Shaw said that this year in particular had been crazy.

'Since Christmas and New Year people have been calling up and emailing every day about memberships,' he said.

'It's also been very busy in the gym, and especially the pool when children are on school holidays.'

Anytime Fitness personal trainer Nick Fuller said that the gym had been incredibly busy since the new year.

'There's a lot of new people, but also people who have been members for a while, but see it as a new start and a reminder of the goals they want to achieve,' he said.

'It takes three weeks to build a habit so if you're still going in three weeks, you're doing really well.'

  • Find more of Nick's New Years fitness advice in Thursday’s Press.