Hitting the gym

Nearly a week's gone by, and the thrill of New Year's resolutions is starting to fade. >> But Margie McClard is celebrating her success. Last January, she vowed to do something about her health and like so many other people joined a fitness center.

In 12 months, she's dropped 30 pounds. "And I didn't starve myself, either," she said. She visited the gym and ate healthier foods.

"I came for 30 minutes three times a week," she said Wednesday after finishing a maintenance routine at Curves for Women in Jackson. "I feel a lot better -- even at work I have more energy."

The benefit of a Curves workout is it's fast and efficient, said Rita Philip, franchise owner and fitness technician. Curves is designed exclusively for women, with a 30-minute routine that emphasizes cardiovascular and strength training. Like other area fitness centers, it's been packed with people ready to sculpt a new shape for 2005.

January is a busy month at fitness centers, and many offer special packages or reduced rates for new members. Packages at HealthPoint Plaza and Fitness Plus, both in Cape Girardeau, are available for singles, couples and families. Curves is offering a half-price discount this month.

"We've been giving lots of tours for people who want to start a healthy lifestyle," said Ty Ludlow, a membership representative at Saint Francis Medical Center's Fitness Plus.

HealthPoint Plaza and Main Street Fitness Center in Jackson also are offering free tours and classes this week to people interested in membership. Gym tours are offered Friday at both locations and guest fees are waived.

Alecia Robert, a membership coordinator at HealthPoint Plaza, said the tour will introduce people to the facility, showing them what sort of equipment and instruction is available.

But it's during personal assessments and fitness sessions with trainers that new members receive the most useful information about their exercise plans.

"The assessment tells you a lot and brings some people back to reality," Ludlow said.

The assessment can help a trainer determine what sort of program to design for the individual. Using information about weight-loss or fitness goals, the trainer can design a program of cardiovascular exercise or suggest group fitness classes, said Dana Hukel in the public relations department at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Robert said the biggest help is knowing what the individual wants from the workouts.

Each new member at HealthPoint gets two sessions with a trainer -- one to learn the equipment and another for a fitness assessment. Robert said the goal is to make sure each person is comfortable with the equipment and routine.

"That way, right from the get-go they're seeing results and doing things they enjoy," Robert said.

The same is true at Curves. The machines are hydraulic, so there's no need to reset weights every time. And the 30-minute circuit workout is designed so women are only at the machine for 30 seconds at a time, said Philip.

Upon joining, each woman receives a fitness assessment suited to setting goals, and body measurements are taken. Curves' staff tries to take measurements each month thereafter, Philip said, so the member can chart progress.

At Fitness Plus, members receive three assessments -- one initially for setting up workout routines and two others for re-evaluation. But trainers are always around and often get questions, Ludlow said. "Just about anybody walking around will help you," he said of the staff.

Even after dropping the weight, McClard still visits Curves to keep her shape and strength. At 55, she's hoping for as much good health as she can find. "And the flexibility comes with strength training," Philip said.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126