By JEN PETERSEN
jen@du2.byu.edu
Although the sun is shining outside and more runners are seen on the street, work-out gyms remain busy during the summer.
Paul Arguello, assistant director of Lifestyles 2000 in Orem, said summers used to be bad.
'Unless it was a hot, hot summer day, people spent a lot more time exercising and working out outdoors.'
So what makes people continue to work out in the gym when it's warm outside?
Ryan Heber, a recent BYU graduate, works at Powerhouse Gym on 900 East in Provo.
Heber said the majority of our clients are students. Although Powerhouse does see a drop off with much of their student clientale, they also see quite a bit of pick-up due to warmer weather.
' ... good weather means people wear less clothes and they become more body conscious, so they head to the gym.'
Dave Ellis, 24, a junior from Provo, majoring in business management, said he definitely exercises more during the summer.
'There's more motivation because you want to look good in the summer,' Ellis said.
Heber said many people who do a lot of cardiovascular exercising, like running and jogging, head outside.
'People who just run on the treadmills often put their membership on freeze and head outdoors for the summer,' Heber said.
'But as far as the people who lift weights, you see those guys sticking around.'
That's exactly what Ellis does.
'I jog outside and quite a bit up the canyon. I only lift at the gym and do cardiovascular outside.'
Andrea Jensen, 20, a junior from Orem studying health and business, has been working out at Lifestyles since she was 17 five to six times a week.
'It's a habit and I really like to do it. Plus, it's healthy,' Jensen said. 'If I don't work out, I feel like I've missed something during the day. It seriously gives me energy.'
Where does the exercise drive come from?
Arguello feels people are more health conscious and therefore exercising more seriously has become a year-round goal.
'People are doing more consistent work-outs. They know the exact body parts that they are working on and they get into a routine. It's hard to fall out of that routine.'
Patrick Baum, a senior from Seattle, Wash., studying business at UVSC works out at Powerhouse Gym four to five times a week.
'I like the results. It's enjoyable. There's nothing better than after you work out and walk out to your car, you just feel better,' Baum said.
Heber likes to see the crowd of older people who visit the gym. He finds they visit more often than before.
'Students are always in the gym because they are really health conscious. It's good to see older people want to get out and stay in shape as well.'
Several gyms have facilities that cater to different age groups and genders.
Lifestyles 2000 has a Women's Center and will soon feature a Retreat Center for older people.
Such aspects as quieter music in a separate room and a few of each weight are made available to make exercising more enjoyable, Arguello said.
The exercise trend continues to motivate people to get in shape -- even more in the summer -- making January not the only month to make resolutions.