DUBAI: Fitness centres across Dubai are bracing for a massive surge in membership in the initial weeks of the New Year.
Fitness clubs and personal trainers told XPRESS they get between 25 per cent and 50 per cent more enquiries just days after New Year, making January the month with the maximum number of enrolments.
“The first few weeks are the busiest. Usually the end of the year is when people eat mindlessly and put their fitness on the backseat. But as the clock strikes 12, many resolve to shed weight and get fitter. And as people return from their New Year holiday, we start getting enquiries,” said Chris Miller, a personal fitness trainer.
“There is at least a 25 per cent increase during this period. People want to shed pounds and are willing to do anything to get their dream body,” said Miller.
Echoing this view is Ganesh Tayade, a fitness trainer in a gym. “There is a dramatic increase in the number of enquiries. It’s almost 50 per cent more than at any other time of the year,” he said.
According to a global study, at least 42 per cent of people include fitness among their New Year resolutions. Though no figures are available specifically for the UAE, fitness does figure high among New Year resolutions by residents of UAE, the fifth fattest nation in the world according to a recent study in BMC Public Health Journal.
Explaining the enrolment trend at VLCC International, Business Head Prafull Dwivedi said: “Our busiest time starts around October, when people want to look good for the festive season and it goes on until March. And soon after the New Year, the enrolments reach a peak. This year too we are expecting at least 15 per cent rise. We have just launched a new SlimFit campaign to meet the surge in demand.”
He said the fitness chain is prepared to put in extra hours to handle the rise in membership. “New Year is a time when people want to make fitness-related resolutions and we want to make sure that they stay on track,” said Dwivedi.
Sanjay Bahl, COO of Corporate Hospitality, Landmark Group, which operates Balance Wellness, said: “We are expecting over 15 per cent increase in enrolments as the New Year begins. There is an increased acceptance toward the concept of total wellness.”
Regular gym goers are only too well aware of the expected rise in the number of people crowding the fitness centres.
“By the second week it gets very crowded; even the group classes are full and it is tough to get a place. Things settle and return to normal [pre-rush figure]by March,” said Renee, a regular gym goer.
Research figures show that more than 60 per cent of those who enroll at the start of the year tend to drop out later.
“Over 65 per cent do not stick to their fitness goals. The ones who sustain are the ones who have clear plans and are dedicated. I have observed that many who want to join during this time of the year are vague and do not have clearly defined goals,” said Miller.
The key is to have a clear set of goals along with strong support. At their end, fitness club managements say they try to retain the increase in numbers through measures like regular follow-ups for their clients.
