‘Tis the Season to Shape Up : Fitness: Health club rolls usually swell after that holiday turkey, dressing and all the other goodies have tightened up clothing and threatened seams.

Clad in a red sweat shirt and blue sweat pants, Gaylynn Ambrose was lying on an exercise mat with about 40 other people, stretching and lifting her legs and arms.

The 40-year-old Huntington Beach woman started her New Year’s resolution during her lunch hour Wednesday at the Family Fitness Center in Costa Mesa.

“It’s a life resolution that starts today,” she said. “I feel there are going to be results.”

Ambrose joined the Costa Mesa fitness club a year ago but didn’t take advantage of her membership until Wednesday. Her goal is to lose 60 pounds by the summer and to firm up her body.

She is one of many Orange County residents who are flocking to health clubs to shed extra pounds gained during the holiday season.

It’s those pounds that help make the post-holiday period the busiest time for health clubs.

“In January, we do a lot more business than the rest of the year,” said Bart D. Webster, manager of the Costa Mesa facility.

“Every health club sees an increase of membership. We see an increase in traffic and excitement.”

Ray Wilson, founder of Family Fitness Center, says membership swells 20% in January.

At other times of the year, the average membership gain is about 8%. Other managers say their membership rolls soar up to 50% during January.

“Jan. 2 is probably the busiest day of the year,” said Greg Rayes, manager of Nautilus Aerobics Plus in Orange.

“Sometimes it (new membership) is almost double. It’s related to New Year’s resolutions. Everybody feels guilty over the holidays from overindulging.”

To attract their share of new members, many health clubs have begun advertising campaigns on television, radio and in newspapers.

Webster said Family Fitness Center is offering discounts to new members. The San Diego-based health club chain began an advertising campaign on Monday.

Imperial Health Spa, a fitness club chain headquartered in Fullerton, is also offering incentives for new members.

The club is offering specials such as two memberships for the price of one and discounts for additional family members, according to Susan McLean, assistant to the president.

But attracting new members and keeping them are two different things, health club officials said.

Megan Laramore, manager of the LA Fitness Center in Huntington Beach, said the club’s membership increases 50% in January, but she estimates that 30% of those will drop out during the next several months.

“We encourage them to stick with it and stress how good it is to be consistent,” Laramore explained.

Donna Shaw of Costa Mesa says she plans to stick with her exercise program. She has been attending aerobics classes at Family Fitness Center three times a week since November and has already dropped five pounds and two inches from her waist.

“It’s something I’m going to stick with,” she said. “It’s a New Year’s resolution.”

Kelly Otis, a 16-year-old Costa Mesa high school student, says that getting in shape for the new year is a must.

“I joined (Family Fitness Center) in the summer but didn’t go that much,” she said. “I thought the new year would be an excuse for me to get back into shape.

“The first three days are the hardest. If I can get past that, I’ll be OK. I want to lose 10 pounds by February,” she said.

Steve Haider, 43, admits he gained a few pounds over the holidays.

“I’m inconsistent, but that’s normal,” he said as he rode an exercise bicycle at the Family Fitness Center, where he has been a member for about a year.

“It’s a good way to get rid of the Christmas goodies.”