January lends the biggest boost in sales to gyms and health clubs, according to several experts.

Chris Thomson, general manager of Fitness Experts in Avon, said he’s seen a drastic increase in memberships since the first of the year.

“The week before and after Christmas and New Year’s a lot of people are on vacation and home, and resolutions start to kick in,” he said.

The gym offers a 30-day free trial for potential members to check out the facility. He said on average, a high percentage of those who use the facility for the 30 days decide to join and become regular members.

The number one reason people join the gym is for weight loss, Thomson said, but added that overall physical health is what many hope to achieve.

The gym offers classes, personal training sessions, or the ability for members to work out at their own pace. It is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Fitness Experts is at 5250 E. U.S. 36. For more information, call 718-1238 or visit the website at www.fitnessexperts1.com.

Travis Bowling, manager of Cardinal Fitness in Avon, said in his many years of experience in the fitness industry, there is always a jump in exercisers from January through March.

“It seems like at the first of the year gym memberships will always pick up,” he said. “I wish people would continue with it. They may be there for a few months. The trend is for people to get through spring break.”

Bowling said in order for someone to be successful with a fitness program, they need to come in with an idea of what they’re wanting to do, and add variety to their exercise regimen.

“The vast majority come in and do the same thing over and over,” he said. “They may see results for a little while, but the body recognizes it as doing the same thing for so long.”

He added that since most people aren’t professional athletes, they only need to work out for 45 minutes to an hour at most. Those who are just beginning an exercise program should work out two to three times a week, and those who are already in shape should work out three to five times a week, he said.

“The people I see that actually stick with this are adding variety to the program,” he said. “And there’s also the social aspect of it, not doing things over and over again, trying to get stronger, trying to run further or faster, challenging themselves.”

Cardinal Fitness is at 9166 E. U.S. 36. It is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 273-8940 or visit the website at www.cardinalfitnessindy.com.

The Plainfield Recreation and Aquatic Center also offers a fitness facility for those wanting to stay in shape.

Brent Bangel, recreation operations manager, said membership to the facility picks up during the first quarter of every year.

“It starts to die off at the end of March for spring break and when people can get outside,” he said.

The center offers different membership packages which are good for both inside the facility as well as the Splash Island water park open during the summer. Memberships are offered in the form of a 10-visit pass or a three-, six-, or 12-month membership.

Bangel said the three-month membership is the most popular, because people like to come in and work out from January to March, and then renew their membership during the summer months for access to Splash Island.

“A large push is resolutions, and it gives people three months before spring break,” he said. “And the pool entices people to come inside and work out. It’s a bonus either way.”

The Plainfield Recreation and Aquatic Center is at 651 Vestal Rd. The fitness center is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 839-7665 or visit the website by clicking on the Parks and Recreation link at www.townofplainfield.com.

lindsay.jones@flyergroup.com