While the cold weather is indeed upon us, that doesn't mean exercise habits have to take a backseat.

Snap out of those winter doldrums and meander on over to the Palmerton Fitness Center, located at 346 Delaware Ave., Palmerton.January marks the start of a new year, and along with it can come healthy changes, according to Julie Reichl, manager/certified personal trainer.Reichl said the flip of the calendar is the perfect time to make resolutions to attain some reasonable goals."It's good for them to start making exercise a part of their daily routine," Reichl said. "Once you start, it just becomes a habit."Reichl said a pair of new programs, yoga classes and boot camp classes, are being offered.The hour-long yoga classes are taught by Nicole Miller on Sundays at 4 p.m. The cost is $5 a class for gym members, and $7 a class for non-gym members.As of Jan. 10, hour-long Boot Camp exercise classes taught by Jake Dempsey will be held on Sundays at 5:30 p.m. The cost is $5 a class for gym members, and $7 a class for non-gym members.What's more, Reichl said there's no enrollment fee up through Jan. 31. In addition, she said the gym also offers six-month and 12-month prepaid membership discounts.Additional diabetes classes and smoking cessation classes will also be coming soon, Reichl said. Weight-watchers classes are already under way, she said.Physical therapy, cardiac and pulmonary rehab graduates of Blue Mountain Health System receive a free first month membership upon graduation, she said.One-hour Individual Personal Training sessions are available at a cost of $15 per session. All programs are designed to meet individual goals based on the individual, Reichl said. The staff works with all ages and fitness levels to help them live a healthier, more active lifestyle, she said.The center is staffed with Certified Personal Trainers and Fitness Center Attendants, Reichl said. All staff members are trained in taking blood pressures and heart rates, and each staff member is also CPR/First Aid & AED certified, she said.Personal trainers can write exercise programs for a wide variety of special populations including diabetes, obesity, back pain, arthritis, as well as those who just wish to get back in shape, Reichl said.The center features the latest equipment, such as treadmills, ellipticals, bicycles, rowers, cable machine, power rack, and dumbbells up to 100 pounds, and also has Nu-Steps, Nautilus, Smith machine, and various other core exercise equipment, she said.Reichl said the center, which has a membership of about 300, is open to suggestions for the potential creation of new programs.The Palmerton Fitness Center is open 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7-2 on Saturday, and 7-noon on Sunday.Anyone who would like to take a tour of the fitness center, or has questions, may call (610) 826-2300 for more details.