The start of the year is one of the most popular times to join a gym, especially for those with New Year resolutions to improve health and fitness.
Snap Fitness manager Ash Hansen said there was an about 30% increase in memberships in January compared with midway through the year.
"It's pretty decent. It starts to increase around this time but usually it's probably next week once everyone is back and settles into work ... That's when we see a huge increase.''
The arrival of students to the city and before summer were also popular times for people to sign up, she said.
Absolute Health and Fitness co-owner Rachel van Gorp said the start of the year was "generally the busiest time''.
"It's starting this week slowly but usually next week just goes nuts.
Seasonal changes also influenced people to join the gym, especially the start of winter.
If it had been particularly cold, icy or wet, more people tended to join, Mrs van Gorp said.
The gym ran a 15-week challenge for people who wanted to get their fitness back on track after the holidays, she said.
"A lot of our members just love it because it gives them a kick-start for the year.''
Les Mills Dunedin assistant club manager Tracey Mitchell said there was a "slight lift'' in the number of new members signing up at the start of the year.
Membership inquiries were generally consistent throughout the year, she said.
JESSICA.WILSON @thestar.co.nz
