2006 is only days away. With a new year, often come resolutions to improve our lives – to quit smoking, to lose weight, to get in better shape.

That last resolution will lead many locals to area gyms and fitness centers in the effort to gain strength, build muscle, lose fat and simply look and feel better.

&uot;We do see an increase in our membership this time of year,&uot; Greta Clemons, who works in the Greenville YMCA fitness center, said.

&uot;There is a growth in classes each January, especially aerobics. Some people come in for the aerobics classes separately, then end up joining the Y.&uot;

According to Clemons, the Y, which currently has 250 members, offers a full array of classes, workout equipment, treadmills and weights for members at all fitness levels.

There is a one-time joining charge for families of $100, with a $40 monthly fee; for individuals, there is a $50 joining charge with a $30 monthly fee.

&uot;For youths up to 19, there is a $25 joining charge with a $20 monthly fee,&uot; Clemons said.

The center’s hours allow members to work out bright and early before work or school, during lunch breaks, and after work. Childcare is also provided in the evening for parents who come for exercise classes or to work out with the machines.

The YMCA, located on Academy Drive on the former Greenville Academy campus, is open from Monday through Thursday, 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. To learn more, contact the Y at 382-0550.

For womanly curves that are getting out of hand, Greenville’s Curves for Women offers its all-female clientele a chance to complete in one half-hour &uot;the equivalent of one-and-a-half hour’s workout in a regular gym,&uot; owner Karen Higgins said.

&uot;With our circuit training system, a client is constantly on the move…it gives the client a total-body workout combining both strength training and a cardiovascular workout.&uot;

Higgins anticipates a growth spurt in her membership as January arrives.

&uot;Getting in better shape is a big resolution for a lot of people,&uot; she said.

For those dedicated to improving their overall fitness, Higgins recommends working out no less than three days each week.

&uot;Any folks who are interested in trying out our system are encouraged to come by for a free visit and find out if it will fit their needs,&uot; she said.

Curves for Women, located in the Greenville Bypass, is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, contact 382-1424.

If the idea of working out in a traditional gym setting appeals to you, then you may want to check out the Greenville Gym, located on Commerce St.

According to owner Larry Salter of Greenville Glass, the gym generally sees more customers at the beginning of each year.

&uot;We have 30 different stations offering strength training and cardiovascular training and we have bikes and treadmills. You can sure get a complete workout here,&uot; Salter said.

He also likes to &uot;keep it simple&uot; for his gym members regardless of their work, home or school schedules.

&uot;Members get their own keys and then they can go in and work out anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.&uot;

Gym fees run $75 per quarter; currently Salter is offering a special package of a year’s membership for $199.

For more information, contact Larry Salter at Greenville Glass at 382-0336.