The turn of a new year leads to many people making firm resolutions to get fit over the next 12 months and shed the pounds gained from Christmas excess.

But are gyms in Fakenham and Dereham experiencing a sudden boom in new clients?

We spoke to gym owners in both towns to see how 2024 has started.

Stuart Brown, who co-owns ABS Gym alongside business partner Jack Cookson, opened in Fakenham last June and hopes the new members are here to stay.

Dereham Times: Stuart Brown (left) and Jack Cookson, co-owners of ABS Gym, Fakenham.Stuart Brown (left) and Jack Cookson, co-owners of ABS Gym, Fakenham. (Image: Stuart Brown)

“Things are fantastic for us, it is going well, we’ve had the biggest influx of members over a week since we’ve opened and we are hoping it maintains,” Mr Brown said.

“We have installed some new equipment to keep things fresh in the gym and we have some new year’s discounts running on our memberships at the moment so our new and old members all have something to look forward to in 2024.

“We feel very optimistic and excited to see what this year will bring. We have more big plans and hopefully, some of them will come to fruition this year.”

Dereham Times: Andy Clarke, who runs Big Andy's Gym in DerehamAndy Clarke, who runs Big Andy's Gym in Dereham (Image: Archant)

Over at Big Andy's Gym in Dereham, owner, Andy Clarke, has not seen a sudden boom early in 2024 but is hopeful it will come, especially after the business expanded last March.

This allowed the gym to have room for strongman and powerlifting training space and a more traditional aspect with machines and free weights.

“The problem is people think we are just a strongman gym, but that is not the case anymore, we have something to offer for everyone,” he said.

Mr Clarke, who finished second at the Official Strong Man Games in 2021 and finished third in last year’s Europe's Strongest Man, wants his knowledge to be welcoming to people, not intimidating.

Dereham Times: Andy Clarke opened Big Andy's Gym in Dereham back in 2016Andy Clarke opened Big Andy's Gym in Dereham back in 2016 (Image: Archant)

“I know what I’m talking about and we have so much in the general gym for people,” he added.

“I run the gym all by myself, you get a code and let yourself in and train whenever it suits you. But, if people want me there I can hold one-to-one sessions and help with anything.”