January is a busy month in the fitness industry. The number of new gym memberships spikes in the New Year.

“We definitely see an uptick in new memberships in January,” said Gabe Hoover. He’s the general manager of MUV Fitness, in the Westside Plaza Shopping Center at 2307 Augusta Rd., West Columbia.

According to a survey of gym owners, the new gym memberships are a result of New Year’s resolutions. According to the national survey, 23 percent of people say they want to get healthier in the New Year.

HOTWORX held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 114 State St. in West Columbia on Dec. 19. At the ribbon-cutting, HOTWORX Owner Tara Johns said she chose to locate the new business in a remodeled historic property because she “fell in love” with West Columbia’s River District.

HOTWORX offers a virtually instructed exercise program created for users to experience the many benefits of infrared heat absorption, while completing a 30-minute Isometric workout or 15-minute High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) session. 

The new workout facility is offering New Year’s membership opportunities to encourage a more fit year.

MUV is ready for a surge in new members, too. Hoover said working out provides a “massive benefit.” But it takes more than just exercise.

“The programs here at MUV are nutrition-based,” he said. “If you really want to see results, you need to change your dietary habits, too.”  He also said new members join MUV to lose weight and to replace non-healthy habits with a fitness routine. Getting healthier can boost mental health, too, Hoover said. 

According to the company’s literature, MUV Fitness offers an educated and trained staff to promote healthy living with a variety of group classes, state-of-the-art equipment, and personal training to help you achieve results you can be proud of. We’re here with you every step of the way. There is also individual training, small group classes and large group fitness classes to help you feel motivated and achieve your goals. You can try MUV with a free pass.

Planet Fitness is another high-profile gym. It will open a new location in West Columbia in the Danwood Shopping Center in the New Year. 

A specific opening date for the new Planet Fitness has not been announced, but the building it is in is being renovated and the gym’s new sign is up at 2410 Augusta Rd. 

Planet Fitness offers high-quality fitness with low startup fees, no-commitment options as well as the PF Black Card where you can get added membership perks. It provides a clean and welcoming workout environment with a friendly staff and certified trainers who are ready to help. 

Here are some other options:
Lexington Medical Center’s Health Directions at 3239 Sunset Boulevard in West Columbia reports an increase of around 20 percent in activity and traffic flow in the New Year. There are more new members, and more of the existing members start back with their fitness training. Health Directions offers boot camps in addition to programs like “Exercise is Medicine” to teach high-risk participants proper exercise routines. 

Temple Gym and Physical Fitness Center is at 536 Meeting Street in West Columbia. Temple offers personal training and group fitness classes including strength training, cardiovascular training, and active recovery.

WRKT is also in the River District, beside Gentleman’s Quarters at 121 State St. Using Megaformer M3 machines. WRKT instructors teach 45-minute classic Lagree classes, to shape, tone, and strengthen muscles.

Get an outdoors work-out on West Columbia’s Riverwalk

West Columbia’s popular Riverwalk offers a chance to get outdoors for exercise. Visitors come to Riverwalk to walk, run, and bike.  There is also exercise equipment on Riverwalk for a well-rounded workout with a beautiful view of the Congaree River. There are  11 pieces of exercise equipment strategically placed on the Riverwalk path. Get a combination of a strength and cardiovascular workout on the approximately one-mile stretch of the Riverwalk, in either direction from behind the amphitheater. 

West Columbia offers many opportunities to get fit in the New Year. Be sure to contact a local gym and get started on a healthier and happier 2024.