Anyone who has ever belonged to a health club knows that when the new year begins, working out becomes quite a travail. For a few months you'll have trouble getting that stairmaster or treadmill to which you've grown accustomed.

That's because the new year's resolution folks have all signed up (or dug out their membership cards from beneath that pile of Big Mac wrappers) and decided to work toward fitting into next summer's bathing suit.

With that in mind, we've decided to give you a little guide to area health clubs, with some info on aerobic studios added, for good measure.

Anytime Fitness
2170 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 319-1111
N35 W23770 Capitol Dr., Pewaukee, (262) 695-9700
6900 W. Brown Deer Rd., (414) 365-9100
anytimefitness.com
Open 24 hours a day, Anytime Fitness is especially suited to those who need to squeeze their workouts into a busy schedule at non-traditional times. New locations in Cudahy, Brookfield, Cedarburg, Franklin, Mequon, Menomonee Falls, Milwaukee, New Berlin, Oak Creek, Wales, Wauwatosa, Waukesha and Delafield are listed as "coming soon" in  fall 2007.

Bally’s Total Fitness
Various locations
(800) 846-0256
ballyfitness.com
Of course, everyone knows about Bally's, unless they never watch TV, where this chain advertises heavily. There's always some kind of membership deal going on and the Bally's clubs are high-energy, social places to exercise. For some, that's great and for others, not so. But regardless of your take on the vibe, Bally's is decked out with state-of-the-art equipment, lots of classes, running tracks and more.

Cardinal Fitness
8401 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield, (414) 425-8246
2885 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa, (414) 258-4066
8601 S. Howell Ave., Oak Creek, (414) 570-0100
S30 W24896 Sunset Drive, Unit 110, Waukesha, (262) 522-3777
cardinalfitness.com
At $19.95 for individuals and $31.95 for couples, Cardinal is a fairly affordable place to excercise. It offers areas for cardio, strength training, free weights, tanning, stretching, personal training and even places for the kids.

Body Mechanics
807 N. Jefferson St., (414) 224-8219
1177 Quail Court, Suite 200, Pewaukee (262) 695-3057
bmechanics.com
With two locations, Body Mechanics tackles physical therapy, personal training, massage and has a fully equipped gym. The Pewaukee location is the newest facility for this group and brings what the downtown location has to the suburbs.

Elite Fitness & Racquet Clubs
13825 W. Burleigh Rd., Brookfield, (414) 273-1076
600 N. Barker Rd., Brookfield, (262) 786-3330
5750 N. Glen Park Rd., Glendale, (414) 273-1114
11616 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon, (262)241-4250
elite-clubs.com
Elite Fitness & Racquet Clubs has four locations: Highlander in Brookfield, Glendale's North Shore Elite, Bluemound Elite in Brookfield and Mequon Racquet & Fitness Center in Mequon. All locations boast state-of-the-art fitness centers, indoor and outdoor tennis, full court basketball, massage and physical therapy, personal trainers, dieticians, aerobics classes, racquetball courts and a pool (at Highlander only).

Energy-Personal Fitness
207 E. Buffalo St., suite 206
(414) 270-9770
energyfitness.net
This sunny and spacious space is a great environment to set and reach your fitness goals. It’s a private and semi-private facility which focuses on one-on-one personal training, personalized to your goals. There is a session by session fee.

Fitness Together
411 E. Menomonee St., (414) 223-3482
10974 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon, (262) 241-3530
thirdwardfitness.com
How about a free session? Fitness Together offers clients a personal private training session free. Total fitness training in one-on-one settings. Massage is offered in a private and relaxing setting. Complete nutritional services are available; evaluation, teaching and follow-up are included.

Le Club
2001 W. Good Hope Rd., Glendale
(414) 352-4900
le-club-milwaukee.com
Located not far from North Shore Elite in Glendale, Le Club has all of the typical attributes and features of a health club, but with one added: tennis, both indoor and outdoor courts. Le Club just went through renovation and provides racquetball, swimming, fitness, group exercise and youth programming as well.

Milwaukee Athletic Club
758 N. Broadway
(414) 273-5080
macwi.org
MAC is business and social club founded in 1882, also has separate men's and women's athletic facilities with a co-ed group fitness studio and raquetball/squash courts. There are also 17 private meeting rooms, two restaurants, three bars, 68 overnight guest rooms and other amenities.

Snap Fitness
2797 S. Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee - (414) 486-7627
7226 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa - (414) 259-1300
4301 W Bradley Rd, Milwaukee - (414) 354-3481
256 E. Menomonee St. - (414) 277-7627
Snapfitness.com
Fast, convenient and affordable fitness option in your area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With state-of-the-art exercise equipment and memberships starting around $1-a-day.

Southridge Athletic Club
6815 W. Edgerton Ave.
(414) 421-5770
The Southridge Athletic Club offers some of the most expansive hours of any local fitness center, opening at 5:30 a.m. and locking the doors at midnight -- seven days a week.

Wisconsin Athletic Club
411 E. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 212-2000
8700 W. Watertown Plank Rd., Wauwatosa, (414) 443-5000
1939 S. 108th St., (414) 321-2500
5020 S. 110th St., (414) 427-6500
1530 E. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, (262) 544-4111
thewac.com
WAC took over the former YMCA space at 411 E. Wisconsin Ave. and a number of downtown Y veterans joined the new club in the old location, many citing problems of overcrowding and small lockers at the new downtown Y. But WAC is not simply a refuge for refugees of other clubs. Their five area locations are loaded with weight equipment (both free weights and weight machines), aerobics and other classes, sauna, steam rooms and whirlpools, tanning, massage, health education, weight loss programs and more.

YMCA
161 W. Wisconsin Ave., (414) 291-9622
1350 W. North Ave., (414) 265-9622
4340 N. 46th St., (414) 873-9622
9250 N. Green Bay Rd., (414) 354-9622
9050 N. Swan Rd., (414) 586-9622
3244 E. College Ave., (414) 764-6400
11311 W. Howard Ave., (414) 546-9622
N84W17501 Menomonee Ave., Menomonee Falls, (262) 255-9622
2420 N. 124th St., (414) 778-4949
465 Northwoods Rd., Port Washington(262) 268-9622
510 E. Burleigh St., (414) 264-9622
ymcamke.org
The YMCA has a number of locations throughout the city, some with a special focus, like the Schroeder Aquatic Center on the northwest side. But all Ys are well-staffed and well-equipped. There are loads of aerobics and other classes, personal training and the like. But, best of all, you know that when you pay your membership fees, your money is doing more than making someone fat (financially). The YMCA supports many community programs in the city including English as a second language and other classes, child care, summer camps for urban youngsters and more.

Vita Fitness
8677 N. Port Washington Rd., - (414) 351-VITA (8482)
222 E. Erie St., (414) 272-VITA (8482)
111 E. Kilbourn Ave.
Vitafitness.net
The mission of Vita Fitness and Physical Therapy is to offer optimal service to each client with any condition that may affect the shape, alignment, or function of the human body throughout life.


There are, of course, a number of other gyms, aerobic studios and other places to get fit. Here are a few of them. If you don't see your favorite listed, post it using the Talkback feature at the bottom of this story.

Andare Fitness
3550 E. Sivyer Ave., St. Francis
(414) 364-0181
andarefitness.com

Animal House Gym
2030 S. 55th St.
(414) 672-0233
ahgym.com

be
405 Genesee St., Delafield
(262) 646-4727
befitnesscenter.com

Body Tuning Aerobic Studio
6421 W. North Ave.
(414) 453-6622

Brickyard Gym
2483 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
(414) 481-7113
brickyardgym.com

Curves for Women
Almost 40 locations in the Milwaukee area
curves.com

Midtowne Spa (a private men's fitness center)
315 S. Water St.
(414) 278-8989
midtowne.com

Nautilus Fitness Center
7818 N. Teutonia Ave.
(414) 354-1898
judoinc.com/main/nfc/nfc.htm

Oak Creek Gym & Fitness
9555 S. Howell Ave., Oak Creek
(414) 764-5464

The Shape Up Shoppe
2697 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
(414) 481-2108

United Fitness Center
N85W15960 Appleton Ave., Menomonee Falls
(262) 251-1420

Victory Lady
3333 S. 27th St., (414) 383-4544
3915 N. Richards St., (414) 961-2333
victoryladyfitnesscenter.com

West Wood Health & Fitness Center
2900 Golf Rd., Pewaukee
(262) 650-8000
westwoodfitness.org