Monday, December 29, 2008

Fitness Freaks Throng Gyms

By Subia Khan

Finally, one industry sector seems to be in good shape and it only has New Year resolutions to thank for it. Well, gym owners across the city are witnessing a surge in registrations before January 1 ticks in with many denizens vowing to stay in shape this year, gulp their last beer (they promise it’s their last) on December 31 midnight. Gymnasium owners say they are now in the pink of their health.

Major gyms in the city have observed a rise of over 40 per cent in the number of people hitting gyms in early January. “We ask our new members to give in writing their reason for joining the gym. And in many applications they cite their New Year resolution,” says Vijay Kumar, regional manager, Talwalkar’s Fitness Centre, noting that the last leg of the year is indeed witnessing a surge of sizezero enthusiasts.

From an average of two new entrants a day, he is now registering ten or more each day.

“We are receiving a lot of calls from people these days inquiring about gym charges and our time schedules. It is the same in all other cities during this season. Since this our first January in Hydertheir New Year agenda, the first thing that comes to mind is indeed a six-pack ab or an hour-glass figure. Raj Dua, a software engineer, says he has been planning regular workouts for last few months but it is only now that he has actually joined a gym near his house in Banjara Hills. “The whole week of merrymaking, eating out and boozing too are other guilt factors that prompted me to do so,” he adds. Weighing 82 kg, Dua’s only ‘dua’ is to get in shape in 2009.

Fuelling this mass determination of putting their best ‘figure’ forward the coming year, many gyms are offering lucrative discounts, clearly to net more resolution conscious clients. For instance, Body N Soul at Banjara Hills has declared a concession of 15 per cent, informs Dhananjay Reddy, the owner. Habibs too is offering a 30-35 per cent cut on its regular charges.

How long the resolution lasts would be best indicated in the 2009 December gym rush. Vijaya Krishnamurthy, business partner with Jawed Habib Hair and Beauty and Exclusive Gym in Jubilee Hills.

No comments: