Fitness trends: What's changed?

By Benjamin Fey

Special to Niagara Frontier Publications

Esporta Fitness in Niagara Falls has experienced an abundance of people racing to get fit for the holidays. Whether this is because more food people are eating or the start of school, gyms are starting to see more activity.

Fitness has always been a part of some people's lives but, as the seasons come and go, there is an increase in certain activities. In Niagara Falls, this seems to be the same case. As the holidays start up and people get ready to see their loved ones, there is an increase in gym membership and usage.

“During the summer, we were very slow, but things are starting to pick back up again,” said Andrew Snaith, front desk attendant of Esporta Fitness said. “November and December seem to be our busiest months.”

The Esporta Fitness in Niagara Falls hasn’t had to do much advertising to increase its membership, even with nearby schools having their own recreation centers. The amount of newer equipment in the facility and the addition of a basketball court has helped it stay in competition.

“People seem to buy a membership just for the basketball court,” Snaith said. “The basketball court and spin class attendance has grown recently.”

When entering a gym, there are two options for people to improve their health. Some people decide to stay weightlifting-focused and some decide to spend hours doing cardio. There is sometimes a mix of the two styles but, during the holiday season, people veer toward the treadmills and stay cardio-focused.

“People seem to use our cardio equipment more than the weights,” said Tayne Swanick, front desk attendant of Esporta Fitness. “When the holidays come around, I see people upstairs doing cardio for hours.”

There is always something to do with certain trends that come to be, even in the gym. There can be trends, the weather, or even the seasons.

“I tend to lift weights more, compared to others,” said Aidan Woj, Esporta Fitness goer. “I like weight training more because I want to look good at family gatherings.”

The influence of weather changes and holidays has changed the way people workout in nearby gyms. Either way, the increase in gym activity has increased over the past few months in the Western New York area.

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This is a Niagara University student-created piece completed as part of the course CMS 226A. For more information, contact the Niagara Frontier Publications’ managing editor.