Local Gyms Not Feeling Crunch of Recession So Far

As businesses tighten their belts while riding out rocky times, San Diegans remain worried enough with their waistlines to keep the health club industry afloat.

Alden Perando, manager of UrbanBody Gym & Juice Bar in Hillcrest, says membership is up 10 percent over last year, an average annual percentage increase since the gym's 2003 opening.

"We have noticed higher gym usage from people who didn't come in as often in the past," Perando said. "They're already paying a monthly membership fee, so it seems they've decided to take advantage of it more now, and it gets them out of the house."

UrbanBody monthly membership fees range from $29 to $49, Perando says, depending on initiation fees.

Average daily attendance at the end of 2007 was between 160 and 180 people, Perando says, and now that figure has grown to more than 200 visitors, with 1,150 members enrolled.

Only 15 percent of the U.S. population is health club members, while more than 21 percent locally are members, according to the Boston-based International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association.