FARGO — Many are pumping iron for the start of the new year, with hopes of keeping their self-promises in check.
Going to the gym and staying active is the third-most popular resolution this year behind spending less money and eating healthier, according to Statista.
According to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, one in five Americans will have a gym membership this year, which staff at gyms like Courts Plus Community Fitness in Fargo like to see.
"The whole belief that people just, like, quit after a couple weeks is fabricated a little bit," said Logan Cossette, the sales coordinator with Courts Plus. "Definitely more people tend to stay around a little bit."
Jacque Morris has been a member at the gym for six years, and even though her resolution isn't to go more this year, she said she does her best to keep her workout routines consistent.
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"It's just a good release to take your mind off the day and do something that's just for you, so it keeps me coming back," she said.
Both members and staff said the best way to start a new routine is to start small.
"When you hit a goal, I feel like it's really accomplishing, and that's another big thing ... to stick with resolutions is if you hit your goals and keep progressing, you'll stick around a lot longer," Cossette said.
Morris said bringing a buddy for your first time out will give you more confidence to keep going.
"Having someone to start with is helpful, like my husband helped me out a lot in the beginning," she said. "We don't always come together anymore because of our schedules."
But Morris has two other reasons why she keeps her routine up while keeping the pounds down.
"I have two boys that I would like to stay able to interact with them and keep up with them as they get older," she said.
