Eddie Thomas of Longs says he lost nine pounds in two weeks after working out on various equipment at The Gym, a North Myrtle Beach exercise facility.

Erin Hell and her mother Diane Hell walk the treadmill for 45 minutes five days a week at Mega Fitness in Myrtle Beach. “We do it for cardio,” Diane says.

“We’ve been doing it for two years,” Erin adds.

Grant Highstead followed instructions from aerial fitness instructor Kylie Smith at X Gym Sports Mall in Myrtle Beach and enveloped himself in an aerial hammock as his wife, Kari, followed her own routine nearby. “My wife insisted I come here,” Grant said. “It’s my first time.”

Mayo Clinic recommends 30 minutes of physical activity every day. WebMD states regular exercise and physical activity is the way to good health. Classes offered, hours open and prices are among the questions people ask when inquiring at local gyms. Grand Strand residents, snow birds and visitors to the area have a wide selection of fitness center choices.

Many gyms offer 24/7 hours of operation and child care service. Most have a wide selection of classes, equipment, membership rates and amenities. All of the fitness centers contacted suggest people visit the facility for a tour, explain their goals and ask questions that concern them.

Details regarding the following facilities are on their websites, and all of them are willing to answer questions when called.

North Strand

Edison’s Smart Fitness, Coastal North Tower Center, 1424 U.S. 17N, Unit 1, North Myrtle Beach, 273-0021, info@EdisonsSmartFitness.com, www.edisonssmartfitness.com

Owners Ed and Alison McCormack opened Edison’s Smart Fitness nearly three years ago. “Our fitness facility has Cybex, which is top of the line [equipment],” Ed says. “Every piece of cardio equipment has a TV on it. You choose [programs] yourself and use earbuds.”

Dan Feldhauser, a snow bird from Grayling, Mich., was doing his workout as yoga instructor Sara Beth McLamb stood nearby. “This [gym] is clean, close by and state of the art,” Feldhauser says.

The Gym, 1009 U.S. 17S, North Myrtle Beach, 272-1995,

thegymnmb@gmail.com, www.thegym24.com

“Whatever your goal or fitness need, I can help you,” says personal trainer Val Boulineau. “We’re changing people’s lives here.”

“I got with Val, and he got me into a routine,” says Eddie Thomas of

Longs. Thomas said he joined The Gym to get back in shape, and after

two weeks had lost nine pounds.

“It’s a gym for everybody,” Boulineau says, and adds that those 18

to 86 come to The Gym. “You’re going to sweat and get your workout

here.”

North Myrtle Beach Aquatic and Fitness Center, 1100 Second Ave. S,

281-3737, http://afc.nmb.us

This center includes a warm water therapy pool and a lap pool. It offers swimming lessons, has swim teams, a recreation league and Grand Strand Masters Swimming, says director Melinda Chappell. “We have a  fitness area that accommodates people with disabilities with some things you might see in a physical therapy facility.”

It also offers an after-school program for NMB students from 5-12 years.

Myrtle Beach

Carolina Fitness on 544, 4125 Dick Pond Road, 748-0395,

carolinafitness843@gmail.com, www.carolinafitness544.com,

www.precisiongolfmb.com

“The golf simulator is unique and different,” says general manager  Mark Stoffel. “It’s popular because people can play 18 holes or practice their game.” Zumba, Silver Sneakers, boot camp, yoga and spin are among the classes offered. “All group classes include membership,” he says. “We have a little bit of everything.” Besides, “We have a family atmosphere.”

Core Fitness, 1141 Robert Grissom Pkwy., 839-2673, info@GotCore.com,

www.gotcore.com

Children’s and teen programs, childcare service and a personal trainer who works with those needing individual care after surgery are among the services Core Fitness offers. It has three different areas: full-service Pilates studio, CrossFit gym and gym with several group exercise classes, including step, spin and kickboxing.

“Group exercise is what makes each area popular,” says owner Judy Langfitt. “The whole family comes here. It’s a Myrtle Beach hometown gym.”

Mega Fitness Gym, 9676 N. Kings Hwy., Galleria Shopping Center, 449-

0877, megafitness247@gmail.com, www.megafitnessmb.com

“We’re a neighborhood-type establishment like Cheers,” says co-owner

Kyle Buffkin. “Everybody knows your name.”

“Our mantra is ‘Where your neighbors come to work out,’” adds co-owner Steve Wright.

Mega Fitness offers specials for high school students, boot camp and has a variety of DVDs available in Pilates, yoga and Zumba.

“We have a safe, clean environment with top of the line equipment, name brands,” Wright says.

Mother and daughter, Diane and Erin Hell, say they come to the gym five days a week. “We come 45 minutes a day for cardio,” Diane says.

Sky Fitness of Myrtle Beach, getfit@skyfitness247.com,

www.skyfitness247.com

4828 U.S. 17 Bypass S, 293-3488

9526 S.C. 707 (Burgess neighborhood), 668-4470

The two facilities offer “Everything you need to start and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” says owner Nicole Eberhardt. Among the variety of classes are Kettlebell Mania, Cardio Dance, Silver Strong, Boxing Bootcamp and Youth Fit for those 7-15. People looking to start a fitness program receive free assessment and orientation on the equipment from a trainer. Check website for time, day and location of classes.

X Gym Sports Mall, 568 George Bishop Pkwy., 236-0009, xmyrtlebeach@gmail.com, www.xmyrtlebeach.com

“We have the largest gym on the East Coast,” says general manager

Kristen Jackson. Batting cages, basketball, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, pickleball, baseball and basketball are among the options available. Classes in Zumba, kickboxing and yoga are other options along with Everybody Dance and Body Toning.

Owner Robert Todoroff says he opened the gym because he loves to play sports. “I asked myself, ‘Where could I play soccer every day?’”

He decided owning a gym was a good bet. About three dozen other businesses occupy mall space.

South Strand

American Fitness, 3334 S. U.S. 17, Inlet Crossing Shopping Center,

Murrells Inlet, 651-1111, americanfitnessmi@gmail.com,

www.onegymforall.com

“We have so many classes, over 50 of them,” says Alicia Mentley, front desk representative. “It doesn’t get crowded. We’re spread out.”

Exercise classes, elliptical equipment, free weights and dumb bells are among the options. Special plans for snow birds and part-time residents are available. Its website explains it has a cardio movie theater so you can watch movies while you work out.

Anytime Fitness, www.anytimefitness.com

113 Willbrook Blvd. A, Pawleys Island, 314-0260,

pawleysislandsc@anytimefitness.com

3856 S. Kings. Hwy., Myrtle Beach, 238-3488,

myrtlebeachsc@anytimefitness.com

David and Stephanie Fiori opened the Pawleys Island franchise nearly four years ago and the Myrtle Beach franchise about three years ago.

“We are locally owned and operated,” Stephanie says from the Myrtle Beach facility. “David does training and is a NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certified trainer.”

What makes Anytime Fitness unique is that a member can go anywhere in the world and the keycard will allow admittance, says members experience coordinator David Ingram. “We offer personal and group training and classes,” he adds.

Fitness Edge, info@fitnessedgegyms.com, www.fitnessedgegyms.com

Carolina Forest, 3118 Renee Drive, 903-3488

Conway, 201 East Cox Ferry Road, 349-4662

Murrells Inlet, 4310 U.S. 17 Bypass, Murrells Inlet, 652-3488,

“We have something for everyone,” says general manager Adam Crawford. “We are the most complete gym on the Grand Strand.”

Each of the three facilities offers something unique. The Carolina Forest location includes a pool with sauna and hot tub. Conway has CrossFit Grand Strand with its climbing ropes, kettlebells and power racks. The Murrells Inlet site offers a ladies’ only area.

“We’ve had many people on the verge of severe illness and that changed for them,” Crawford says. “My purpose in life is to help people and that’s what we’re doing here.”