Trying to pump you up all year

Area residents are making the annual pilgrimage back to the gym as they attempt to burn off those extra pounds from the holidays. Fitness centers across Mercer and Auglaize counties are reporting new members signing up in droves. Keeping new members has been problematic in the past but recent efforts by owners and instructors have helped keep retention rates high, many said.

Memberships this time of year make up a large portion of annual profits, according to Mike Thobe, who manages SNAP Fitness branches in Celina and St. Marys.

Although the huge influx is apparent during the early months of the year, those numbers normally drop in the spring, he said. However, Thobe said in recent years retention rates have gone up.

"I've worked at a couple different fitness centers, and it's always the same. We would get really busy around the beginning of the year as people made resolutions to get in shape. Then unfortunately we would see our numbers drop as people lost motivation or when the weather got nice enough to run outside," he said.

He believes the reason people keep coming back is the assistance offered at many gyms.

"We are doing a lot more now to keep those new members. We offer personal training to coach people through that tough beginning phase and we really try to be available often so we can help with any problems, which might not have been the case as much in the past," he added.

Thobe said about 30 percent of SNAP Fitness members sign up December through February with a portion typically dropping out during the summer months.

Other gyms also have been experiencing longer commitments from new members.

"People are sticking with it all year. There's more info in the media about the benefits of fitness, I think, and people are more health conscious," said Deanna Davis, co-owner of Innergy Fitness in Coldwater.

Similar to other gyms, Innergy Fitness offered special rates at the beginning of the year to encourage new members to join.

"We have had 20 new members sign up already during our no-enrollment special," Davis said.

According to Davis, January "blows the other months out of the water" in terms of membership numbers.

In January 2014, 84 new members joined the gym - almost double any other month, Davis said. However, the numbers drop to just 18 new members in July. Although not as many new members join in the summer, retention remains high, she said.

Davis believes people maintain their memberships due to the variety of classes, programs and challenges offered throughout the year.

Allen Baskett, CEO of the Auglaize Mercer Counties YMCA, said retention rates at the facilities are higher now than ever before.

"About 25 to 30 percent of our members sign up December through February, but I think what is more important is that we have had a 66 percent retention rate over the past few years," he said.

Baskett said the retention rate is well above the 50 percent national average and has risen every year.

"Getting a gym membership is like buying a new car. You don't buy a new car to park in your garage and forget about it. You are out there driving it all the time and that's the same with a gym membership," he said.

Baskett gave some advice for new members who are worried they will drop out after a few months.

"Find something you love early. Getting involved with a program and setting obtainable goals are both so important if you want to keep working out. Don't expect to lose 20 pounds in a week," he said.

The increase in membership and retention is good for gym owners but can make scheduling workouts a little tougher for long-term members.

"Yeah, I try to come in early. This time of year, there is a big rush in the afternoon when everyone gets off work. That normally drops off as the year goes on though," Andrew Klausing from Delphos, an 18-month member at the YMCA, told the paper.

Ashley Eyink, owner of Crossfit in Celina, said there has been no real drop in membership at her facility and that it is something she strives for.

"We have ways of reeling people back in. When it gets warm and you want to start showing more skin, we offer challenges to help you reach your goals. We see people really start to motivate themselves," she said.

Eyink said 11 new members joined Crossfit this year and typically she notices a 25 percent increase during the beginning of the year.

"Set a goal that's achievable and then fight through the hard part. You can get there, you just have to work hard," she said.

Hard work is something that Ralph Stuckman, 78, of Coldwater, has not shied away from. He has been a member of Innergy Fitness for almost seven years and works out twice a week. While some seasoned members try to avoid the typical early-year rush, Stuckman said he welcomes it.

"It's good to see all the new people coming in. We have a lot of loyal members," he said.

Stuckman said he has lost more than 55 pounds since he started his membership at the fitness center and feels he is in much better shape.

Helen Lore, 72, of St Marys, has been working out at Curves in St. Marys since it opened in 2003. She has seen the gym when it is busy and when it is slow, and offered advice on how others can stick with a program.

"It will help you if you stick with it. Don't expect overnight results. Make sure you come in, you're going to work up a sweat," Lore said.

She frequently runs 5K races - something she would not have even thought possible before she started working out at the gym, she said.