Gyms across Bermuda are continuing to feel the economic pinch just like any other business but their numbers have held up well according to the managers and owners.The increasing number of people leaving the Island and the rising prices of rents and electricity combined with a deepening recession have hit many gyms hard over the past year.However most have weathered the storm well with some actually seeing an uptick in business towards the end of 2012 and are optimistic about the year ahead.The Royal Gazette spoke to The Olympic Club, The Athletic Club, The Court House Squash and Wellness Club, SeaView Health Ultimate Fitness, 24-Hour Fitness and the newly-launched MBS Fitness about the challenges they have faced over the last 12 months andScott Stallard, owner of The Olympic Club, which also manages HSBC Bermuda and Chartis’ gyms, said that 2011 had been a good year for his gym, particularly because it beat expectations.He said that despite a slow summer with guest workers not having their work permits renewed at the end of their six-year term limit, business picked up from October to November as more Bermudians signed up and between November and December with a wave of new ex-patriates coming to the Island, including from KPMG.“I was pleasantly surprised in October and November they were very good,” he said.“It is also good to see that the locals are still looking after themselves and coming into the gym to work out.”Mr Stallard said that this year the gym had bartered a lot more with local companies offering them special membership deals in return for services rendered in the upkeep of the building and its infrastructure.And having invested $30,000 in new equipment last month, he said that he was already starting to see some pay back a move that he believes will inspire others and help to get the cash flowing in the economy again.But despite offering a competitive average rate of around $100 per month, Mr Stallard is wary of the proliferation of new gyms that have opened in recent months and is concerned about the dilution of the market and the smaller players being squeezed out as a result.On the issue of the sale of the building and his business, as previously reported in this paper, he said that four parties had expressed an interest in November but it had been quiet since then.Kym Herron Scott, owner, president and managing director of The Athletic Club, said that her gym had diversified into offering more classes and a no-frills membership for those interested in just using the facilities.She said that the gym would be running its popular Zumba classes and relaunching its body combat sessions, as well as a fat blast boot camp 10 consecutive days of intensive training between January 16 and 26 and for the first time ever a six-week corporate fit challenge.An open house will also be held on January 14 where people can try out sampler classes such as TRX and spinning, with a special also available that day.“I think everybody is feeling the effects of the recession but we also have to cater to the needs of the community and to help keep them fit,” she said.“With healthcare costs continuing to be on the rise and 80 percent of common illnesses being preventable keeping fit is even more important than before with minor changes to your lifestyle having an impact your health.”Sue Pell, manager of The Court House Squash and Wellness Club, said that the steady exodus from Bermuda as employees were let go and companies relocated overseas, the number of people who had lost their jobs or no longer had the finances had resulted in fewer memberships being renewed.“We do have membership available, but we’re certainly not struggling,” she said.“We did have a waiting list for the first three years since we opened but we will be taking on new members in the New Year.”Ms Pell said that her gym had just launched a new weight loss programme for next month and was hopeful that there would be a good uptake with people returning from the Christmas break looking to get back into shape.Melanie DeRosa, co-owner and personal trainer at SeaView Health Ultimate Fitness Club, said that July to August and Christmas time was traditionally a slow period for her gym with a lot of people going away on holiday and this year with was amplified by the numbers leaving the Island for good.“Hopefully after the holidays are over and with people wanting to get into shape following all the Christmas and New Year parties we will get back up to speed in January,” she said.Admitting that 2011 had been tougher than any year before, Ms DeRosa said the gym had tried to remain competitive with its rates despite increased electricity and other costs and had a host of new incentives to attract new members in the pipeline for next year.Mike Jeffrey, owner of 24-Hour Fitness, said that the economic downturn had impacted business but had seen some encouraging signs.Last month the gym put on a Black Friday special which proved a big hit and Mr Jeffrey plans to run a similar promotion at the start of the New Year, as well as introducing corporate rates for the first time based on demand from local firms.“I think generally it’s going to be another good year or two before we see the economy coming back,” he said.Kenton Swan, a personal trainer at MBS Fitness, said that the gym had already taken on 350 to 400 new members since opening its doors four months ago and business was looking steady.