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Provo Parks and Recreation offers exercise classes at the Provo Recreation Center.

Courtesy Provo Parks and Recreation

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Class members work out on Monday, June 8, 2020, at Roy Community Fitness. The gym has disaffiliated with the CrossFit brand after its CEO made a controversial remark on Twitter about George Floyd.

BEN DORGER, Standard-Examiner

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Bonnie Maruri teaches a water aerobics class Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012 at Gold's Gym in Ogden, Utah.

NICK SHORT/Standard-Examiner

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Provo Park and Recreation offers ballet classes at the Covey Center.

Courtesy Provo Parks and Recreation

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Swim instructor Cindy Taylor, black cap, and Annie Frye, grey cap, take a break from freestyle laps and talk during a swimming session at the Roy City Recreation Center Friday, May 9, 2014. (BRIAN NICHOLSON/Special to the Standard-Examiner)

Brian Nicholson, Special to the Standard-Examiner

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Weber State University physical education majors Zuleika Grinsell, left, and Madi Campbell, right, laugh with Ogden High School sophomore Alfredo Munoz as he loses his balance getting on a kayak during an outdoor skills gym class in the Swenson pool at Weber State University in Ogden on Monday, March 21, 2016.

BRIANA SCROGGINS/Standard-Examiner

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If you are a regular patron of your local recreation center or gym, you may be looking at the next month with a sense of resignation.

If you are determined to make some changes in your life by starting to go to your local recreation center or gym, you may find some extra challenges to your objectives.

And if you in charge of a local recreation center or gym, the turning of the calendar provides both opportunities and challenges.

The start of a new year is time when many of us set resolutions to improve and — not surprisingly — getting in better physical condition is often high on the list. In a Statista Consumer Insights survey of New Year’s Resolutions of 539 adults in October and November of 2025, the most common response was to exercise more (48%) while 31% said they wanted to lose weight.

That emphasis translates into a surge of increased activity at local recreation centers and gyms as people seek to find the equipment and classes to help them reach those goals, particularly when the weather in January often makes basic outdoor fitness activities less enjoyable.

That can be encouraging to some who are getting going, since they aren’t alone in their efforts to get more fit. But it can also bring frustrations as facilities are more crowded.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. What to expect

Some of the busiest locations are often local recreation centers who cater to a wide range of patrons, so facility managers in Utah Valley and northern Utah face similar challenges.

“It is a busy time with lots of new faces,” said Shannon Ercanbrack, fitness coordinator at the Provo Recreation Center.

That can mean fitness classes and swimming pools are a lot more crowded, it can require more patience to use weights or cardio equipment and even tracking down a parking space can be more challenging.

But it doesn’t always last, since sometimes individuals start strong but then lose momentum.

“It’s definitely usually busier in the first couple of weeks of January, maybe into the third week,” said Alexa McCune, operations coordinator for the Provo Recreation Center. “Our busiest times are right before work times and right after, from around 8-10 a.m. and then from about 4-7 p.m. It definitely gets especially packed during those times. It’s still slightly busier during the times between but it’s more manageable than the peak times.”

Most regular gym-goers have become accustomed to the increased amount of activity in January, so they work around the challenges.

“We’ve been open for almost 13 years, and we’ve had people that have been here since the day we’ve opened,” McCune said. “Since they come every year, it’s not really a shock to them when they come in on January 1 — but I think they all know that it kind of will die down very quickly. I’ve heard people say, ‘OK, I’m just gonna do my workout outside for now’ or ‘I’m just going to go around my neighborhood for those couple weeks’ and then they come back.”

Ercanbrack said that many frequent class attendees know that things will level out and that they just have to be patient for a little while.

For a newer facility like the Marshall N. White Community Center in Ogden, however, the extra enthusiasm for getting active can be a benefit since more people might be interested in what is available.

“We’re confident that we have space to grow,” said Ginger Myers, assistant recreation director for Ogden City. “We’re excited that we could maybe be a part of people’s New Year’s Resolutions.”

2. Ways to manage the busier facilities

Whether you are just getting started going to the gym to get in shape or have been going for years, you have to find ways to get your workout in while others are trying to do the same.

McCune and Ercanbrack both suggested seeing if you can adjust your schedule to avoid the peak times and utilize the slower times.

“It’s nice if someone does have flexibility with their work schedule,” Ercanbrack said. “We have even some classes in those times, like at noon on Monday I have a bar-type class that is really great for core work and everything. I have a few that are later in the morning and then if you even start at like 5 p.m. you can get in before the rush. There are lots of good options there.”

Many gyms and rec centers also make every effort possible to provide opportunities during the busy times.

“We try to make sure that our equipment is all ready to go,” Ercanbrack said. “We try to have all the supplies and everything, so that we are extra- stocked. Our classes have all the equipment, plus the machines so they’re running well.”

They also try to facilitate things at the front end of the center to improve efficiency in getting patrons in and out.

“We make sure to have extra staff to make sure the lines move more quickly so people can get to their workouts more quickly,” McCune said.

Many fitness facilities also try to provide sign-up options online or through apps so those who know what classes or activities they want to do can schedule early and know they have a spot.

“Our new app is really helpful because you can get on and look at the schedule for fitness classes,” Ercanbrack said. “Those are a huge help for someone who is maybe new to the gym. We have wonderful fitness instructors. They’re all certified, they’re professionals, and there’s lots of different formats. On our app, you can actually book classes in advance so you make your game plan that helps you to be consistent and follow through.”

Myers explained that the Marshall N. White Community Center tries to be ready for all needs as they arise.

“As our classes become full, we’ve already added additional classes as the need has increased,” she said. “We do have a little bit of room to grow. And it would be great to have the entire community in there.”

3. How to push through and find success

While the objective of getting in better shape is one many of us share, turning it into a reality isn’t easy. Challenges like crowded facilities and parking lots can dampen enthusiasm and result in another unfulfilled resolution.

But gyms and rec centers also provide resources to help you keep on track and not feel like you are doing it alone.

One of the benefits of the Marshall N. White Community Center is that it provides a host of options for the entire family.

“At a facility like ours, it’s not just fitness oriented,” Myers said. “We’ve got family fitness, we’ve got art classes, pottery, swimming, and other activities. It really becomes fun. We’re the place where great memories are made. Although we know exercise goals are usually pretty popular this time of year, we are the hub for family recreation, for family fitness and for really just creating great memories that through healthy lifestyles.”

Other resources can be in the form of having a place to go with friends (or make new friends), working with instructors or having measurable milestones.

The Provo Rec Center highlights that mentality with a special course they have added this year to provide encouragement along the journey toward improvement.

“We’re running a six-week course that people can sign up for for free that is called Resolution Revolution,” McCune said. “The goal is to take all these resolutions and then make sure that you keep them and kind of get you in a habit. We have a certified wellness coach in the program and it can be about anything really, not just fitness. People can bring any goal that they want to the class. It’s just once a week where they come and learn how to shift their mindset about their goals. It’s how we’re not seeking perfection in them; we’re seeking progress.”

Check with your local gym or rec center to find out what programs they have and for more information on how to reach your personal objectives.