As the world prepares to ring in 2015, fitness appears to figure prominently among the New Year resolutions of residents going by the inquiries recorded by gymnasiums in the city.
To capitalise on the annual phenomena, fitness centres and gyms are offering discounts on memberships and freebies like bags, shoes and complimentary steam baths.
“Yes, the inquiries have increased in the past two weeks. We are offering a discount on annual membership for those joining the gym in the first week of January,” said Pragath, in-charge of Talwalkars gym in V.V. Mohalla.
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Similarly, Gold’s Gym at Gokulam has also witnessed a surge in inquiries. “A few of them have already taken membership from January 1. We are offering them discount on personal training,” said trainer and floor manager Daric Kumar.
But, how long do New Year resolutions last? “A large number of people don’t stick to their resolutions after two or three months, citing busy work schedules and other excuses. But, it largely depends on the individual’s commitment. Some stick to a time schedule and work out regularly,” Mr. Pragath said.
Hiring a personal trainer in the gym helps many people work out regularly. The personal trainer will monitor the progress and provide individual attention,” Mr. Daric said.
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Sreejith Jayaprakash, who runs a gym at Hotel Nalapad, lays emphasis on diet. “If results are to show, eating right is also very important. One has to stick to the right kind of diet.”
Mr. Jayaprakash, who is also offering three-month packages, recommends three types of workouts for all-round fitness. “Use a treadmill and a cross trainer as part of cardiovascular exercises, yoga for flexibility of the body, and weight training for strength. A combination of all three will ensure proper fitness,” he said.
Pointing out that most men join the gym to shed belly fat, he said exercises for abdomen along with other workouts for the rest of the body are necessary if pot-bellies are to be addressed.
Meanwhile, consultant orthopaedic surgeon Ajay Hegde does not believe there is an age barrier for working out at a gym. “Age is just an individual issue. As long as you have physiological and anatomical fitness, there is no age bar on workouts,” he said, adding that a doctor and a trainer should together identify issues and recommend suitable exercises.