Next year it’s going to different. I’m going to be fitter,

stronger, leaner, thinner, skinnier. I’m promising myself that soon, very soon,

I won’t cringe with horror every time I look at myself in the mirror. As usual

as the year turns, I’m thinking about health clubs, gyms, really looking after

myself, and one day being able to touch my toes again. To even see them would

be a start.

So what health clubs have we in Hove? A goodly few, I’m glad

to report. First amongst equals has to be Coral Health and Fitness in Orchard Road – plenty of space, six squash courts for the competitive, a solarium,

sauna, parking aplenty, aerobics studio, beauty clinic, an air-conditionerd gym

with one-to-one personal supervision, this is a very professional set-up. The

cost? £485 per year, or £44.50 per month, and in December, to attract puffing

hopefuls like me, there is no joining fee, which is normally £45. More

membership details here.

Another large health chain is LA Fitness, which has a branch

in St Helier’s Avenue, off Portland Road. Formerly known as Dragons, this is

another club with excellent facilities which will cover all your needs. The

Hove branch has four flood-lit tennis courts, two squash courts, a bar/bistro

to relax in, plus ample parking space. Children under the age of 16 have free

admission on your membership. A free 3-day pass is available to see if you like the

set-up and a 9-week contract memberships costs £99.00. More details here. 

At Fit for All on the Portland Road Trading Estate, they

make a point of not being part of a big gym network and promise on their

website that they offer fitness services with a personal touch. ‘We are the

only club that delivers as much help and advice as and when you need it. We

offer as many help sessions as you may need and we realise that one size

doesn't fit all and have a large range of options available.’ Membership comes

from £7.69 a week. Studio classes are included in memberships and membership

plans are available from one month upwards.

Down on the seafront you’ll find Cheetahs Gym at the King

Alfred’s Centre, which started as a single room back in 1962 and has since

expanded into a mighty 12,500 square feet of ‘pure gym’. It’s roomy and more,

Cheetahs, with a separate training room for each muscle group – chest, leg etc

– and also a separate ladies training room if you fancy a little more privacy,

a sauna, over 100 single station exercise machines, and a juice bar. Prices

range from £3.50 for a day visit to £200 for full annual membership.

And for something a little different – and perhaps less

strenuous – how about Pilates? Purely Pilates at 35 Church Road say that they are

the only fully equipped Pilates Studio in the Hove area, and that they can

‘empower you to work with movements to improve your posture, tone and lengthen

your muscles to create a stronger more flexible body.’ Their website explains

that Pilates entails a series of stretching and resistance exercises with a

focus on breathing and body awareness that leads to core stability and leaner

muscles. An absolute beginners’ mat-work course is recommended for those new to

Pilates, the cost being £64 for eight weeks. Studio sessions are £20 – more

details here.

New Year, new you, that’s what they say. Why not start now and be a New You even sooner? Happy stretching, folks!