THE number of people with gym membership in Bolton is expected to rocket as people make New Year resolutions to get fit and lose weight.

Hundreds of people are expected to sign up for gym memberships, but many will fail to keep up with their visits.

Health bosses in the borough are urging people to find free and easier ways to exercise.

Lesley Jones, a public health specialist with Bolton Primary Care Trust, said: "Many of us make New Year's resolutions to get fit and lose weight, but all too often our commitment is short-lived and we slip back into our old ways again.

"Sometimes this can prove expensive. The key to making positive changes and sticking to them is careful planning."

Bolton Arena, in Horwich, which has gym facilities, is expecting as many as 300 calls a month in January and February - double the usual number - with 200 people signing up each month.

Paul Bartle, finance manager, said: "Most of our customers do keep their memberships up, although there are a few that are impulse buys and drop off fairly quickly.

"We offer an intensive initial three months, and there is always a lot of help and support provided by our instructors to keep people going."

Barbara Griffiths, owner of Farnworth Ladies Health Club on Gladstone Road, predicts she will have as many as 100 new members.

She said: "Many of our members have been here for more than 20 years and we very much offer the personal touch, so people do tend to keep coming."

Millions of people across the country sign up for gym memberships - costing an average of £41 per month - throughout January, but 30 per cent of those are not visiting their leisure centre by February.

By 2008, 40 per cent will have ditched the gym altogether, and economic experts estimate this wastes £200 million of our income every year.

Ms Jones said: "There are many ways people can become more active. Making physical activity part of your daily life, for example by walking or cycling on short journeys instead of using the car, is a great way to get fit and save money."

Her tips include:

  • Be clear about what you want to achieve and why.
  • Work out what you can do. It needs to be realistic and something you will enjoy.
  • Think about what might stop you doing what you want, and plan ahead as to how you will deal with the situation.