Fitness fans pump up gym numbers

By Paul Dykes and Julia Holmes
Holidaymakers are turning up to Tauranga gyms in their droves - but many locals have yet to resume their exercise regimes.
Health and fitness centres are bracing themselves for a flurry of new enrolments from Bay people who have over-indulged during the festive break now work has resumed this week and people get back to their routines.
In the meantime, treadmills, exercycles and rowing machines have been whirring with out-of-towners who want to maintain the body beautiful for the beach and athletes training for summer sports events.
Derek Baxter, owner of Bay BodyFit at Mount Maunganui, was surprised at how busy his gym had been.
"We have had a lot of 'guilt customers' come in wanting to work off a bit of Christmas excess but it hasn't transpired into members yet.
"We've had a lot of casuals from out of town. A lot of people are here for sports activities and come here for training as well."
Mr Baxter said Bay BodyFit had restructured its short-term membership, allowing people to buy unlimited gym time in two and four-week packages, making it more affordable.
This had been popular with holidaymakers, some of whom were repeat customers.
"People are coming on holiday and keeping active and continuing their exercise regime," Mr Baxter said.
Mark Crowther, of FitCo, at 13th Avenue, said many gym patrons were yet to resume their usual routines.
"It's been steady. Not a lot have come back yet ... we don't expect it to get back to normal for another two weeks. Quite a few put their exercise programme on hold and do the Christmas thing," he said.
Annie Goodchamp, at Contours, Fraser Cove, said a new fitness programme and the cool relief provided by their air conditioning was enticing people back.
It was also the first time the all-women's gym had opened during the holiday period.
But the first motivation for many is getting the right kit.
Rebel Sport manager Graeme Edwards said staff have been rushed off their feet selling hundreds of pairs of sports shoes, clothing and exercise equipment.
Fitness fanatic Lynn Forde, 58, is one of the few who did not use Christmas and New Year as an excuse to wind down.
The Welcome Bay estate manager has been a regular gym-goer for the past seven years and refused to put her three-times-a-week regime on hold.
A member at Contours gym in Tauranga, she took full advantage of the three days it was open between the two sets of statutory holidays.
Mrs Forde said she went to the gym to stay healthy, and the motivation came easily.
"Once you have it in here," she said pointing to her head, "it's not a problem. I come for me, to make sure my body is going to work the way it should."