WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Working out looks different at Odyssey Fitness in Wilkes Barre.
According to Assistant General Manager Ryan Savka, the dance floor is one of the many facilities at the fitness center that will be packed throughout the month of January.
“We see a lot of new faces in the gym. We see a lot of familiar faces coming back as well," he said.
All breaking a sweat to keep up with their New Year's resolutions.
However, all Odyssey trainers want their members to know there's a variety of ways to be fit.
Zumba instructor Alyssa Thomas says she tries to make her clients feel like they're not working out at all.
“You can stand and just shake something for an hour, and you're still working out but having fun,” she said.
Growing up, Alyssa spent nearly every day in the dance studio, but when she graduated from her studio, she wanted to find ways to stay in shape that didn't require a treadmill.
“We get all kinds of people, people who have never danced before in their lives and people for twenty years,” Thomas explained.
But being a Zumba instructor is just her part-time job.
“I also work in the health field as my full-time job during the day, and I always tell my patients that when it comes to lifestyle, health is a big part of that,” she added.
Alyssa and the Odyssey staff want to do more than lead exercises but create a workout environment that makes their members want to come back to the gym all year round and not feel intimidated.
“We're over 70,000 square feet so at other gyms you're on top of each other, other people can see what you're doing at other gyms,” Ryan Savka, Odyssey Assistant General Manager said.
Giving the resources to help Odyssey members stick to their New Year's resolutions. Transforming into the healthiest versions of themselves.
Which is Alyssa's favorite part of her job.
“We have people here where on day one, were so shy and had absolutely no idea what to expect. And then they come in weeks later, and they're having fun, and they're healthier, and they're really getting into it,” she said.
To test out Odyssey Fitness for yourself, you can find the link to a free day pass here.