New Year's resolutions drive gyms and dating

Since it’s January, it’s time to breakup and workout.

Because of New Year’s resolutions, a lot of people are hunkering down to that dreaded gym workout to finally shed unwanted pounds. And others, because of resolutions, are mustering the courage to dump the drab boy/girlfriend and aim for something better in 2016.

Correspondingly, gyms and romantic restaurants in Santa Monica report a seasonal business boom.

“It’s been a madhouse in here,” said Tedy Andreas, who works at the 24 Hour Fitness on 2nd St. near the Promenade.

“People are coming. People are re-energized and getting back into the swing of things,” said his boss, Cameron Adl.

On Jan. 5 alone, they reported 75 new sign-ups for gym membership. Depending on the hour of your workout, you can still get on a machine.

Such is the nationwide crush to gyms that Tim Teeman in the Daily Beast called it “Gympocalypse” and moaned about people dawdling in front of machines, trying to simultaneously fulfill their New Year’s resolution and still avoid breaking a sweat.

“Suddenly the pool at my gym has the atmosphere of a brawl at at Gavan pub,” he writes, dubbing the New Year’s resolution crowd “January non fanatics.”

Meanwhile at Literati Cafe on Wilshire Blvd., assistant manager Christy R. said, “It’s date night instead of the typical student coming in in March, April, May and June.” More than the normal amount of exuberant couples have been seen smiling and talking over coffee, she said.

And Katie Chen said her Catch Matchmaking LA company is experiencing its busiest season now. “There’s a lot of new starts,” said Chen, whose business sets up speed-dating encounters but specializes in software match-ups based on profiles that people fill out.

“People are picky on the Westside,” she said. “There are a lot of attractive people on the Westside. They’re into fitness. They are professionals, and they have high expectations.”

*Pictured: Cameron Adl with Assistant Manager Brea at 24 Hour Fitness on 2nd St.