It's Jan. 1. For many people that means tomorrow -- maybe even today -- is the start of the a new diet, a new exercise program or a resolution to eat healthier.
If so, you're not alone.
Health clubs and gyms around Anchorage will be bursting at the seams with the after-holiday crush.
"January is a huge time," said Jenny Evans, director for marketing and public relations for The Alaska Club. "You can go to any club after the first of the year and you'll see less room in the parking lots. We staff up for those times. We know it's going to be busier."
Kristi Wolf, owner of Powerhouse Gym, said there is always a "resolution rush" at the beginning of the year.
"I think every club sees that. People have bought memberships and they haven't been using them," she said. "All of a sudden they want to start working out after the holidays.
"Or maybe they see spring break coming soon and they want to wear that bikini."
If it's time for you to start working out -- or to reassert your dedication -- Anchorage has plenty of health clubs, gyms and other workout facilities. The hard part might be making the choice where to spend your dollars.
A club will generally cost more than exercising at home -- sometimes, hundreds of dollars more. And you'll usually have to drive to the club and make time for the exercise.
But clubs usually offer access to many pieces of equipment, including pools or racquetball courts, and specialized classes.
Here are some basics on Anchorage-area exercise facilities and clubs. Some clubs offer brief trial memberships so you can try them out before signing a contract. In addition to some basic information, we asked club officials what was the best thing about their facility.
THE ALASKA CLUB
Where: North, 700 Bragaw St.
Phone: 278-3621
Where: South, 10931 O'Malley Centre Drive
Phone: 344-6567
Where: The Summit, 11001 O'Malley Centre Drive
Phone: 365-7300
Where: East, 5201 E. Tudor Road
Phone: 337-9550
Where: Express Muldoon, 7731 E. Northern Lights Blvd.
Phone: 338-2639
Where: Express, 3841 W. Dimond Blvd.
Phone: 245-2223
Where: West, 1400 W. Northern Lights Blvd.
Phone: 264-2720
Where: Club for Women, 1400 W. Northern Lights Blvd.
Phone: 264-2700
Where: Downtown, 745 W. Fourth Ave. (new location opening in January)
Phone: 274-4232
Where: Midtown, 630 E. Tudor Road
Phone: 562-2460
Where: Eagle River, 12001 Business Blvd.
Phone: 694-6677
Web: www.thealaskaclub.com
Hours: Varies by club. The West club is open 24 hours a day. Other clubs generally open between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., and close between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Classes: Group Cycle, yoga, Yoga-Fit, PowerFlex, Pilates, Kardio Kids, cardio circuit, cardio kickboxing, TurboKick, H2O cardio, dance cardio, karate, belly dancing, tai chi and swimming.
Equipment: Cardio: Treadmills, ellipticals, stair steppers, cardio waves, rowing machines, life cycles, LeMond Revmasters and step mills. Strength: Nautilus circuit with ExpressWay program and Core machines.
Facilities: Tennis, racquetball, gymnasiums, squash, pools, hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas. (Some facilities not available at all clubs.)
Child care: $2 an hour for infants to young children age 8 to 10. KidsZone is for children ages 8 to 12. In that area, there is a climbing wall, study tables, light exercise equipment and video games. It is free but is not monitored.
Cost: $52 to $112 per month for an individual. $25 initiation fee.
What makes them special: "We are convenient," said Jenny Evans, director of marketing and public relations. "The No. 1 reason people do not work out is that they don't have the time. It's a busy world, no one seems to have time. With The Alaska Club, there is one in almost every neighborhood. That makes it easier for people.
"ExpressWay is a Nautilus circuit that you can do in 30 minutes. It's perfect for people who are busy.
"We're also kind of the family club. We don't cater to the bodybuilders. The family can come in with all the children. We also have the largest variety of equipment."
ALASKA ROCK GYM
Where: 4840 Fairbanks St.
Phone: 562-7265
Web: www.alaskarockgym. com
Hours: 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, noon to 10 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon to 11 p.m. Fridays, and noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Classes: Variety of climbing classes. The Monday night introductory class is the most popular, $10.
Equipment: Free weights, weight machines, rowing machines, stair steppers and exercise bikes.
Child care: Not available.
Cost: $14 daily, $65 monthly, $530 annually for an individual; $12 daily and $55 monthly for student and military.
What makes them special: "Climbing is a full-body activity and a full-body workout," said assistant manager Lee Griffiths. "We tend to think it's a lot more challenging and a lot more fun than just lifting weights or doing cardio for an hour.
"We have 7,000 square feet of climbing. All our routes have different levels of difficulty on them. If people come again and again, they'll see progress."
ANCHORAGE COMMUNITY YMCA
Where: 5353 Lake Otis Parkway
Phone: 563-3211
Web: www.ymcaalaska.org
Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays
Classes: Adult fitness classes, water fitness and therapy classes in the pool.
Equipment: Specific youth fitness center includes machine weights, treadmills, ellipticals, stair steppers and bicycles. Adult equipment includes machine weights, free weights, treadmills, ellipticals, stair steppers and bicycles.
Facilities: Saltwater pool (at least one lap lane open all day), basketball court.
Child care: 8 a.m. to noon and 2:30 p.m. to close daily. Free with membership.
Cost: $132 (youths) to $780 (family) annually. Initiation fee is $10 to $30. Financial assistance is available.
What makes them special: "We're family oriented and we're affordable," said executive director Larry Parker. "Our prices are typically a little lower, and we also provide financial assistance beyond that for either the short-term or long-term."
CAPTAIN COOK ATHLETIC CLUB
Where: Hotel Captain Cook, Fourth Avenue and K Street
Phone: 343-2296 (men), 343-2297 (women)
Web: www.captaincook.com/ath_club.php
Comment: The manager was unavailable to comment, and the workers were unwilling to answer questions about the club.
CURVES
Where: 6311 DeBarr Road
Phone: 333-2879
Where: 2217 E. Tudor Road
Phone: 569-2878
Where: 1120 Huffman Road
Phone: 344-2878
Where: 1921 W. Dimond Blvd.
Phone: 332-2878
Web: www.curves.com
Hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the Tudor Road facility; the other locations are open weekdays.
Classes: 30-minute circuit.
Equipment: Double-positive hydraulic-resistance machines designed to work every muscle group. The equipment provides cardio and strength training.
Child care: Not available
Cost: $29 per month with a 12-month contract; $149 initiation fee
What makes them special: "Most women like the fact that there are no men and that it is 30 minutes. It's in and it's out. Those two things are the what we hear the most from the women," said manager Sandy Baker. "This is designed for women, with women in mind. This is not designed for people who want to be bodybuilders."
DIMOND ATHLETIC CLUB
Where: 800 E. Dimond Blvd. (in Dimond Mall)
Phone: 344-7788
Web: www.dimondathletic club.com
Hours: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays
Classes: Water aerobics, stroke fitness, arthritis aquatic, step, sculpt, cardio-combo yoga, line dancing, beginning muscle fitness, karate and judo (for adults and children).
Equipment: Cardio: Ellipticals, treadmills, stair steppers and exercise bikes. Strength: Life Fitness, Nautilus and free weights.
Facilities: Two pools, bowling alley, ice skating rink, basketball court and racquetball courts.
Child care: Available for children ages 2 and up while the parents are using the club. $1.50 per hour per child.
Cost: Standard single membership is $60 per month, family membership (including all children younger than 13) is $85 per month. Midday membership is $40 per month. Initiation fee is $25. Six-month commitment.
What makes them special: "We have pretty much everything for the family, and we include bowling, ice skating, judo and karate," said general manager Brenda Steil. "At a lot of clubs there is not a lot for the kids to do, but here we are family friendly.
"We also have two pools; the smaller one is kept at 92 degrees. We do a lot of rehab and the older folks like it. The kids love it because it's warm.
"I think people feel comfortable here. This is not a club for the big muscle, weight-lifter guys."
FAIRVIEW RECREATION CENTER
Where: 1121 E. 10th Ave.
Phone: 343-4130
Web: www.muni.org/parks/fairview.cfm
Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Classes: Scottish country dancing, belly dancing, martial arts, indoor soccer, basketball, volleyball.
Equipment: Free weights, weight machines, treadmills, stair steppers and exercise bikes.
Facilities: Gymnasium, youth gymnasium, saunas.
Child care: Teen center. Child care beginning in January.
Cost: $3 per visit or 15-visit punch card for $40 (adults), $2 (senior), $1 or $10 for punch card (teens ages 12 to 17), free younger than 12 with adult supervision.
What makes them special: "The nice thing about it is that during the middle of the day there is really nobody here," said recreations programmer C.B. Stewart. "Someone called it a 'gym in the rough.' You're not bumping elbows like you are at some of the other health clubs in town.
"It's practical, and the prices are good. It's just a buck or two bucks. We've also got a multipurpose room with a full kitchen off to the side; people can rent that. We've got a computer lab with nine computers and they all have high-speed connection. You can do a little more than you can at some health clubs."
JAZZERCISE
Where: 12870 Old Seward Highway
Phone: 345-1519
Web: www.jazzercise.com
Hours: Classes at 6 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 4:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.
Classes: Eighteen classes offered per week.
Child care: No.
Cost: Day pass is $10; two-month pass is $96; monthly fee is $38.
What makes them special: "It's a total-body workout and it's lots of fun and it's coreographed, so anybody can do it from age 18 to 80," says owner Vicki Busta. "In an hour workout, you get the cardio, the stretching, resistance and strength training.
"We use all kinds of Pilates movements and yoga movements. All the instructors have to be certified. And it's lots and lots of fun."
PETE'S CITY GYM
Where: 435 W. 10th Ave.
Phone: 276-6351
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays; noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Equipment: Cardio: Life Fitness equipment including treadmills, stair steppers, ellipticals and exercise bikes. Strength: Body Masters equipment and free weights.
Facilities: Sauna.
Cost: $5 daily or $25 a month with no contract. No initation fee.
What makes them special: "We're a nonprofit gym," said manager Mark Mallinen. "We have disabled veterans come in. We have women from the Women's Resource Center come in. We've got 12 different organizations that come in here and they don't have to pay a dime. We're trying to work with the community and trying to help out.
"We're not in this to make a bunch of money. It's just 25 bucks a month for people. And we've got good equipment."
PILATES STUDIO ONE
Where: 4007 Old Seward Highway
Phone: 770-2639
Web: www.pilatesalaska.com
Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays
Classes: Level 1 and 2 lessons on both the mat and Pilates equipment (the Reformer).
Equipment: In addition to Pilates equipment, the studio has two elliptical machines, one recumbent bike and one treadmill.
Child care: No.
Cost: Mat classes are $7 to $9 each; Reformer classes are $13 to $16 each. Before attending regular classes, students must receive training, either in an introductory group class ($40), a private or semi-private lesson ($33 to $50) or in the six-class Beach Body Boot Camp ($245). No initiation fee.
What makes them special: "We are Pilates specific; we have a lot of training in this one specific area," said manager Jennifer Richardson. "Because of our specialization, we are extra-designed for giving the results that Pilates are known for: flatter abdomen, narrow waist, better support for the spine and better posture.
"We have a very clean establishment; it's a very nice environment esthetically. There are several different ways to get started at different price points and time commitments."
POLARIS ATHLETIC CLUB
Where: 11901 Industry Way
Phone: 345-6658
Comment: The owner was unavailable to comment, and the workers were unwilling to answer questions about the club.
POWERHOUSE GYM
Where: 202 E. Northern Lights Blvd.
Phone: 277-6937
Web: www.powerhousegym. com
Hours: 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.
Classes: Group cycling, Powerball, yoga, Powerflex, belly dancing, cardio boot camp, cardio kickboxing, Absolute Abs and Yoga Flo.
Equipment: Cardio: Treadmills, Cybex steppers, ellipticals, recumbent and upright exercise bikes, LeMond spin bikes, Cybex Arc trainers and free motion incline trainers. Strength: Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Icarian and Paramount equipment. Also have the Quadmill and the Endless Rope machines.
Facilities: Dry sauna.
Child care: $2 an hour per child. Open 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Cost: $39 to $49 per month with a 12-month contract; $69 per month for short-term membership. Add a spouse for $30 per month. No initiation fee.
What makes them special: "Powerhouse's big claim to fame is that, no question, we are the cleanest gym in town," said owner Kristi Wolf. "Personally, that is a huge thing for me. We also have the best equipment. We get the cool things first.
"People might think of us as a bodybuilder's gym. But bodybuilders are just a small sector of our market. We are women-run, so we're really all about the women."
SPENARD RECREATION CENTER
Where: 2020 W. 48th Ave.
Phone: 343-4160
Web: www.muni.org/parks/spenard.cfm
Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Classes: Pilates, yoga, aerobic kickboxing, martial arts, ballet, handball. Open gym nights (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) include soccer, adult basketball, badminton, volleyball and indoor lacrosse (2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays).
Equipment: Free weights, universal weights, treadmills, stair steppers, rowing machine and recumbent exercise bikes.
Facilities: Racquetball courts, basketball court.
Child care: Teen center. Child care beginning in January.
Cost: $3 per visit or 15-visit punch card for $40 (adults), $1 or $10 for punch card (teens ages 12 to 17), free younger than 12 with adult supervision.
What makes them special: "We're really the hidden gem in our community," said recreations programmer Jamie Acton. "A lot of people don't realize we are here. When they see what Anchorage Parks and Recreation has to offer they are pleasantly surprised.
"We're a great value for the services we provide. Not having to pay a monthly membership fee is really nice. The space is also available for rentals and people take advantage of that as well."
World Gym Fitness Center
Where: 2700 A St.
Phone: 646-8686
Web: www.worldgym.com/anchorage
Hours: Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Classes: Aerobics, kickboxing.
Equipment: Cardio: Cardio theater including treadmills, stair steppers, exercise bicycles and ellipticals. Strength: Free weights, Cybex machines.
Facilities: Steam room, saunas.
Child care: $4 per child for up to two hours. Available 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
Cost: $39.95 monthly. No initiation fee.
What makes them special: "We're open 24 hours a day," said owner Greg Wing. "We also have an in-house training program. Our employees are the personal trainers. That makes it lower cost than hiring an independent trainer."
Special sections editor Steve Edwards can be reached at sedwards@adn.com.
Before you sign up
When you visit a fitness facility, have a list of questions ready, including:
• What are the annual and monthly fees? Are there additional fees for towels or mats? And does your membership cover guest passes at clubs in other cities?
• If you have a specific health problem, can the staff address it with the appropriate exercises? Do they have a first-aid plan for emergencies?
• How old is the equipment?
• At what times are classes and exercise equipment most crowded?
And ask yourself:
• Does the club reflect my interests? Is there enough variety to keep me motivated? On the other hand, am I sure I won't be paying for programs and services I'll never use?
• Are the club and its equipment clean and in working order? This includes locker rooms and other areas not devoted to fitness.
• Are the staff members and trainers friendly and helpful? Do the fitness pros have appropriate credentials?
• Do I understand the membership and cancellation policies?
-- Cox News Service Joining the club
The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association offers tips to help find the facility that's best for you:
• Ask friends, family members and co-workers where they work out and why. Word of mouth can make or break a fitness facility.
• When you shop for a health club, look for one that has programs and services that appeal to you.
• Look for one that's convenient and close to your job or home, so you don't have to make a special trip to work out. And it should be open at the time you're most likely to exercise.
• Consider clubs that have services that would make it easier for you to work out -- such as baby-sitting or women-only fitness areas.
• Sign up for trial memberships or use a temporary pass to find out how crowded the facility is and what the atmosphere is like at the time you plan to exercise.
-- Cox News Service
