Emphasizing the natural approach to lifelong fitness, the folks at Body Dimensions offer a full line of free weights, some aerobics classes, treadmills, stair climbers and Badger/Magnum strength systems. Visitors to the area benefit from daily, weekly, monthly and other short-term rates, and no contracts are required. The center is open every day except Sunday and is in Shallotte Station along U.S. 17 Business (Main Street).

Heart Healthy classes are held throughout Brunswick County. Locations include Lockwood Folly Community Building in Supply, Body Dimensions Gym in Shallotte and the Jaycee Building in Southport. Schedules vary according to location. Registration is held on location and class fees are $25 per month or a drop-in fee of $6 per class. The Heart Healthy classes run from January to May and September to December.

Water Aerobics classes are held at the Winds Resort Beach Club in Ocean Isle Beach. The fee for Water Aerobics is $25 per month for two times a week, $35 per month for four times a week. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Classes run January to May, June to August and September to December.

Children's swim lessons for ages 3 to 5 and 8 to 12 are held at several locations in Brunswick County. The fee for the swim lessons is $65 per child for six lessons. Swim lessons are held only during the summer months. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.

For more information or to register for classes, call (910) 253-2583.

The Carolina Beach Parks and Recreation Center has a full weight-training room and a cardiovascular room, as well as an indoor basketball court, racquetball court, Foosball and Ping-Pong tables, lockers and showers. A number of different classes are available, including yoga, Pilates, step aerobics and Kung Fu. Opening hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 9 PM, Saturday from 8 AM to 4 PM and Sunday from 1 to 5 PM. Resident and non-resident memberships are available starting at $30 for a single adult; the guest fee is $5 per day. Call for information or to receive a fitness schedule.

The Boxing and Physical Fitness Center provides individuals and families opportunities to participate in traditional health-club activities. Equipped with free weights, weight machines, treadmills, stationary bicycles, cross trainers and stairclimbers, the center offers strength training, prescription exercise and cardiovascular workouts. Classes in modern aerobics/step (including instructor training), yoga, basic boxing and cardio kickboxing are taught by certified instructors. A program geared toward the physically challenged is also offered. Call for details. Locker rooms and shower facilities are available. Memberships are among the best bargains in town, just $50 for city residents and $85 for those living outside the city or outside of New Hanover County. Hours are Monday through Friday 6 AM to 8:30 PM and Saturday 10 AM to 2 PM. The center is closed on Sunday.

An inclusive club where you'll always feel welcome, The Crest, which is open seven days a week, offers the latest in cardio equipment, exercise machines and fitness expertise with a roster of certified personal trainers. Pilates, yoga and Zumba are among the group classes. Besides a good workout, you can get a relaxing massage. Their Phuza Juice Smoothie Bar, tanning salon (Wrightsville Beach location only) and Vitamin and Sports Supplement Store are open to the public.

Get a complete workout in just 30 minutes utilizing the Quick Fit system found only at Curves For Women. Fast, fun and proven effective, the Curves method combines strength training and cardiovascular fitness in an innovative way that's easy to master and totally self-controlled. Curves provides an exercise environment designed for women, plus nutritional guidance and weight-management counseling. The Quick Fit system incorporates hydraulic resistance equipment, alternating with low, wooden, padded exercise platforms and peppy music; a cue tape directs participants to change stations every 30 seconds and check their heart rate every eight minutes. In contrast to other strength-training equipment, the Quick Fit system doesn't use weight stacks, which greatly diminishes soreness and injury. Each Curves is independently owned and operated. Membership options include travel passes that allow vacationers to keep up with their fitness programs.

So you've finally decided to get serious about getting in shape. Now you need serious, professional training. FitUnique Personal Training is a unique way to get you off the sofa and into a healthy lifestyle. Without over-crowded gyms or "cookie cutter" routines, this program is personalized to fit your busy schedule in the privacy of your own home. You can even train online with video demonstrations and personalized workouts and meal plans. A personal trainer for 14 years, Angela Abadie will assess your current fitness condition and design a program that will help you achieve your fitness goals. She can help you with weight loss, athletic performance, weight training and functional training to help your body perform at its best. Her goal is to improve one body at a time for strength, flexibility, endurance, body image, self esteem and overall health, which in turn improves quality of life. If you need help, Angela has the right mix of motivation and personal attention to keep you on track.

Forever Fit focuses on a balanced approach to fitness and offers yoga, strength training and a full line of cardio equipment plus group training in step, circuit and dance. There is a personal trainer on staff, along with AFAA–certified instructors. Visitors are welcome and can pay either daily or weekly rates. Individual memberships begin as low as $39 per month. Forever Fit is convenient to the northern Topsail Island area.

Gold's Gym, a full-service fitness center known for its attentive staff and its array of top-flight equipment and classes, has four locations on the southern coast. Noted for personally designed exercise programs and one-on-one training by certified trainers, all locations offer the newest circuit, cardiovascular and hammer-strength equipment available. They have free child care, locker rooms with showers, and dry saunas. Gold's pro-shops offer sports clothing, smoothie bars and a large selection of supplements and power bars. Group exercise classes vary at each club, ranging from yoga and Pilates to Power Punch, Body Pump, Body Flow and senior classes. The Longleaf Mall location has Wilmington's only climbing tread wall, while the Racine Drive location offers a Women Only area. The Porter's Neck location has a heated workout pools with group classes and a Guppies program for kids. Members of Gold's Gym are entitled to unlimited use of 13 locations in the Carolinas and 650-plus other locations worldwide.

The Oak Island Recreation Center features a complete weight-room facility equipped with Hoist equipment: smith machine, cable crossover, lat pull, leg extension, leg press, ab crunch, shoulder press as well as free-weight benches and weights. The fitness facility offers a variety of cardio equipment, including rowing machines, cycles, NuSteps, StarTrac treadmills, StarTrac elliptical trainers and a StarTrac stepper. Fitness classes and activities include mature aerobics, TOPS, cardio jam, kickboxing, table tennis and yoga.

Perfect for the workout buff or the beginner, Second Wind has treadmills, stationary bikes, a complete line of circuit machines and free weights. Second Wind Fitness Center also has the area’s only full-sized heated pool. Surf and turf aerobics are offered in the pool and on the 1,680-square-foot suspended aerobic floor. Personal trainers and certified fitness professionals are on hand to help you design a workout program that fits your needs. Second Wind also has a dry-heat sauna, tanning beds, a juice bar and day care while you're working out. Swimming lessons are available. Day passes and memberships are offered, and Second Wind is open seven days a week.

Wilmington Athletic Club (WAC), is a great place to work out, play, indulge yourself and improve your health status. Locally owned and operated, this outstanding facility has just about everything you could want or need, from state-of-the-art Pilates and cardiovascular training equipment to a complete day spa. A long list of available activities includes volleyball, basketball, racquetball, squash, badminton, swimming and running. The competition-size outdoor pool is heated for year-round swim lessons, aqua aerobics classes and fun. Personal training, VO2 max assessments, weight management, sport-specific training, senior fitness programs, social events, youth camps and massage therapy are just a few of the special features that make the Wilmington Athletic Club an all-around great place for the entire family. Activity-oriented child care is available while mom or dad work out, and a terrific after-school program is available to keep kids busy and constructively occupied. The Wilmington Athletic Club, open seven days a week to members and their guests, is affiliated with the International Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association (IHRSA) and offers reciprocity privileges through its Passport Program. Members may use affiliated facilities around the world for free or at a discounted rate.

Offering a wide variety of fitness and educational activities, the Wilmington Family YMCA features ample facilities, such as a large gymnasium, two indoor pools, a hot tub, four racquetball courts, a free-weight room, Cybex equipment and even sunbathing decks. Athletic fields, including an outdoor track, are also available. Aerobics (including land and water exercise), Zumba, kettle bells, Physiability and arthritis classes, yoga, Pilates and Spinning are just a few of the Y's vast offerings. League sports for youth and adults are organized seasonally.

Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation offers a variety of fitness classes in the Fran Russ Recreation Center in Wrightsville Beach Park next to the Park Office. Choose from senior aerobics, tone and stretch classes, yoga, Pilates or Boot Camp. Call for class times, days and fees.

Health and wellness activities at the YWCA include aerobics, tap and modern jazz dance, karate, yoga, Kung Fu and Tai Chi classes. Especially for youth are tumbling, dance, karate, Kung Fu, music and golf. A full aquatics program offers swim lessons, lifeguard and water safety instructor classes, water aerobics, a swim team and pool rentals for parties.