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WESLEY CHAPEL -- It was 10 a.m. on a weekday, and parking spaces in front of Lifestyle Family Fitness were harder to find than a missing set of keys.
As a few people left the massive fitness center, housed in a space that was once a Publix, even more people were entering.
Inside, men and women used elliptical machines and treadmills, pumped iron in front of a long row of mirrors and participated in a high-energy Body Combat class, a cardiovascular pursuit that incorporates karate, boxing, Tai Chi and kickboxing.
Around this time every year, said club manager Jim White, membership mushrooms as people intent on burning holiday fat, getting in shape or combating health problems flock to fitness centers like mosquitoes to a Florida tourist.
White estimated, perhaps generously, that about 45 percent of people who join gyms around the new year become permanent members who make significant lifestyle changes.
Some might wonder why more people who join gyms don't stay.
"I feel it's because many of them don't choose a club with (the proper) support and staff, or they don't take advantage of the support" at the club they chose, White said. "They want to walk on the mill, or just use a couple pieces of equipment.
"But when you see results, that's when you stay motivated. Who wants to work and not get paid for it? People get discouraged. They're ready to rock and roll, and maybe they don't see results after a couple months. If they get proper guidance at the beginning, they'll stick with it longer."
Read the entire article from the Tampa Tribune
By GEOFF FOX | The Tampa Tribune
Published: January 2, 2011
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