A fit & healthy 2016.

Among several New Year resolutions, the most popular is ‘to get fit’.

Across the city, gyms, yoga centres and fitness clubs are cashing in on this optimism by offering discounts and early bird schemes.

Fitness centres have already started receiving enquiries with customers keen on signing up from the first week of January. But only a few people are able to maintain their resolution through the year.

Fitness experts say that though they see at least a 50 per cent increase in membership sales compared to other months, clients who sign up for half yearly or annual packages tend to stop coming to the gym in about a month’s time.

Naveen Kumar, a certified trainer at Karnataka Fitness Academy, said that his gym at Kempapura offers a 45 per cent discount for New Year.

“After indulging in the festive season, people make resolutions and want to stay fit. We advise our clients to sign up for an annual package as fitness is a long-term goal,” he said.

However Saurav R., a trainer at a gym in Chandra Layout, said that only 50 per cent of those who join the gym in January end up being regulars.

“These resolutions are an impulsive decision and people tend to set unrealistic goals for themselves. They need to take up a regime that suits their work or college schedule,” he said.

Nikita Menon, an undergraduate student, has begun every January 1 in the past three years with a resolution to get fit.

She said, “Instead of paying money to gyms and fitness centres, I want to personalise my own fitness regime and do something that is sustainable throughout the year.”

Perhaps, that is the secret of maintaining a New Year resolution: Small goals instead of grand proclamations.

The Hindu