DALLAS — Many gym owners hope you have the words “fitness" or "working out” on your list of New Year's Resolutions. They are wanting to get you back under gym memberships and away from those at-home workouts.

The beginning of the year is usually a prime time for gyms to rack up clients, but the pandemic may slow things down. In Dallas, gyms are trying to get you to sign up, so the industry doesn’t struggle.

Gyms have taken a beating to COVID-19. When at-home orders forced gyms to close last year, many of us turned to virtual trainers to keep us in shape. Now there’s one gym — the first of its kind in Texas — that’s putting a twist on what it means to do a virtual workout to get you to come through their doors.

Many people won’t use the words “fun" and “exercise" in the same sentence, and if they do, there is a chance it is not in a positive way. At Thrivr24 in Dallas, the first virtual gym in the state, trainer Jon Woods is looking to change your mind about what it means to work out.

“It’s not going to be super serious. This is all about fun,” said Woods.

You don’t need to count the number of reps you do at each station. Woods says you can just look at your high scores. Every piece of gym equipment is also a video game. As you make athletic, powerful moves, the games distract you from the intensity of your muscles tightening and the burning sensations you’ll get in your arms, legs, and abs.

“It’s a way of life, don’t think of it as a chore,” he added.

The beginning of the year is usually a madhouse for gyms, as people push to meet their New Year's Resolutions. Woods is hoping to see memberships stack up fast for that as they prepare for the grand opening, but the pandemic might slow things down. There are so many who would rather stay home and do workouts on their own.

 “Everyone at this moment is scared of death. This is what we’re afraid of,” said Dr. Stephen Newhart.

Newhart is a fitness expert who runs Vigor Active in Fort Worth. He admits that some health clubs are taking a hit, just like many restaurants and other businesses. He also says any physical fitness is better than none, whether you're at home or in an actual gym. He just wants you to realize there is a difference between the two, and it’s something you can’t get in the living room.

“Because if you’re standing here, I can push your hips back in your squat so you’re not going to harm your knees, so you’re doing your form right. That alone is a very big piece,” Newhart explained.

As long as your gym is using disinfectant spray between a person’s use of machines, has hand sanitizer on deck, and there’s space to social distance, Newhart says that’s the only way for gyms to get people to feel comfortable about returning to the gym. Thrivr24 is following those steps and there are even plastic coverings to separate each member into pods.

“Most likely they come and see that, and it makes them feel a little safer,” Woods added.

A hands-on approach to fitness is important to both Woods and Newheart. That's why they're working hard to convince you to be inside a gym, they want to be able to walk with you in-person as you take control of your health.