THE New Year is often a time when people make resolutions, including to get fitter or join a gym.

In 2008, The Mail visited Dalton Leisure Centre top chat to group fitness manager Sharon Lovidge.

She said that exercising should be fun and recommended people went along with their friends to make it more enjoyable.

She said: “It helps on the days when people think ‘I won’t go today’, but if you are going with someone you will encourage each other.

“Find a class that you really love, try all of them as well because you never know, you might surprise yourself.

“A lady came to body pump for the first time recently, she had always been a bit scared of the weights we use in the class.

“She ended up loving it and has been to every class ever since.”

She added: “It is important for instructors to listen to their customers to keep them happy.

“Mixing things round to ensure we are keeping them interested is part of our job.”

If people were feeling really nervous about going to the gym for the first time, Sharon said it could be a good idea to organise a meeting with their instructor just to sit and have a chat about what they could expect.

One class Sharon recommended for people who wanted to get fit but were also feeling worn out and stressed after Christmas and New Year was body balance, a combination of yoga, Tai Chi and pilates.

“It is all about toning and strengthening, but relaxation as well and the end result is you should feel strong and centred and calm - just a general feeling of well-being.

"It is great for flexibility and mobility and is good for people who have issues with back problems or surgery or just coming back from having a baby."

Exercising regularly also had helped people who had suffered from depression and work-related illnesses, said Sharon.

Variety was always important and Sharon said it was a good idea for people to try all the classes at their gym to keep themselves fresh and interested in their exercise programme.