Resolving to Get Fit in 2012, Ames? Start Here

Every year come Jan. 1, millions of people find it in themselves to resolve to be better. Whether it's to stop smoking, lose weight or even quit drinking, something about flipping the calendar page on another year means change is in order. 

Just ask Kellee Harmeyer, a membership sales consultant at the , about the year-end, first-of-the-year rush for memberships.

"I actually started in March but from what I’ve heard we get a lot of people coming in in the new year," he said. "We have also had a lot of people buying memberships as Christmas gifts. The last couple of weeks, especially, we've had people come in and look around, we’ve had parents buy memberships for their kids. It's been busy."

Ames Racquet & Fitness Center has three locations in Ames - oad, , and - and if you buy a membership to one, you have access to all three. 

Harmeyer said the fitness centers offer a little something for everyone. One location has an indoor tennis court, another an indoor swimming pool. Wherever you go, he said there are people there to help you accomplish your goals.

"We run several promotions during the year as an incentive to get people going," Harmeyer said. "We have complimentary training sessions and we usually throw in a couple different incentives to get people started. We also have personal training if they need extra help along the way."

If the "club scene" just isn't your thing, you might consider some of the total body transformation programs in the area. offers a 10-week bodyshaping course that combines cardio-kickboxing, strength training, and nutrition to deliver noticeable results in just 10 weeks. Cost for the program is $389.

is another total body transformation program that incorporates yoga, kettle bells, upper and lower body workouts and nutrition into an eight-week program. The next session begins Jan. 9.

is a women's only fitness club where women can find support to complete their fitness goals. The Curves center involves a 30-minute session where members train on a circuit of hydraulic equipment. Fitness assessments and customized exercise and diet plans are also available to help you get started.

is a locally-owned and operated fitness center that focuses on helping clients work toward their personal goals in a supportive, positive fitness environment. Goals in Motion also offers a nine week body makeover that gets quick, lasting results for clients.

And, if you're one of those people who uses the "I don't have time to workout," excuse, Anytime Fitness is the place for you. Anytime Fitness has three locations in Ames - , and . - and they're open 24 hours, seven days a week.

Anytime Fitness features treadmills, cardio equipment, free weights, ellipticals, stair climbers and weight machines. And no excuses.