January is a traditional time to recommit to physical fitness for many, and staffers at the A-M-Y Wellness Foundation YMCA of Mitchell County report that exercise facilities have been bustling the first couple days of 2026.
“Today has been really busy,” said Executive Director Bill Hoag on Friday. “We’ve added 107 members since 12/24.”
Healthy Living Director Jessica Thomas said that visitors to the facility have talked about getting fit in the new year.
“We have people, like in group exercise this morning, who have been coming in like three days a week and are starting to try the other classes to be able to have five days a week,” Thomas said. “So like I had some people come in this morning for a class say that they’re trying to find a fit to be able to come daily for group exercise, and we have that opportunity here.”
Hoag said he had seen increased use in individual equipment as well.
“Something I’ve seen today that I’ve never seen before when I went up the floor … we have the sit-down equipment, (and) every piece of equipment had a member in it,” Hoag said.
Hoag said that he is participating in an adult swim class, trying to re-learn swim strokes that he has forgotten, and was surprised at how popular that class has become as well.
“It’s just amazing to see the amount of people and, you know, the support we’ve received from the community,” Hoag said. “Because we’re probably close to 3,300 members right now.”
Marketing Director Alex Robertson noted she personally finds it encouraging to see a swimming class that isn’t focused on children.
“I love that because it just shows you can get into a new habit at any age,” said Robertson.
At this, Hoag wanted to know if this was some sort of comment on his age.
“She’s saying at 60 it’s pretty good to see somebody do something,” Hoag said with a laugh.