It’s that time of the year where we all vow to do more exercise and keep fit for the year ahead, but how many of us will succeed?

If your New Year’s resolution is to start going to the gym more, you won’t be short of options and incentives to keep working out in Somerset.

“Keeping physically active can improve your health by lowering high blood pressure, raising ‘good’ HDL cholesterol levels and reducing your risk of developing certain cancers,” says health insurer Bupa.

“It can also make you feel happier and increase your self-esteem. If you’re overweight, even losing a small amount of weight is beneficial for your health.

“The best way to lose weight if you're overweight or obese is to combine a healthy, balanced diet with regular exercise.

“Physical activity burns calories, so the more you do, the more weight you will lose. It will help you to lose fat without any loss of lean tissue – which is mainly muscle.

“All adults should do 30 minutes of moderate exercise on five or more days a week. But you might need to do 45 to 60 minutes a day to stop gaining weight. And you still need to keep up the exercise once you have lost weight, with about 60 to 90 minutes of activity a day to stop you putting it back on.

“Sounds like a lot? Don’t worry, you don’t have to do the whole lot in one go to get the benefits. You can break up the time throughout the day.

“If you haven’t exercised for a while or find this amount of exercise daunting, you can start by doing 30 minutes a day and break it into three sessions lasting 10 minutes. As you become stronger and more energetic you can gradually build up the time.”

There are gyms and fitness suites all over Somerset where you can get your 2012 off to a healthy start. Here are a few suggestions…

1) Wells Leisure Centre is running a special offer for anyone taking up its Avalon Lifestyle membership before January 31. It costs £20.12 to sign up, and will include unlimited use of facilities. The company says it’s possible to save up to £50.

Wells Leisure Centre, Charter Way, Wells, Somerset BA5 2FB. Tel: 01749 670055.

2) Frome Leisure Centre is also part of the Avalon Lifestyle membership package. Among its facilities is a fully-equipped gym, 25m swimming pool, sports hall and climbing wall.

Frome Leisure Centre, Princess Anne Road, Frome, Somerset BA11 2SA. Tel: 01373 465446.

3) Strode Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre, located in the heart of Street, is the third venue involved in the Avalon Lifestyle membership. Its 33.3m six-lane pool is the largest local authority pool in Somerset, and it also provides a 36-station fitness suite and sauna.

Strode Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre, Strode Road, Street, Somerset BA16 0AS. Tel: 01458 443918.

4) Yeovil Fitness & Wellbeing Centre has a three-step plan to help new members get fitter. If you don’t get fitter and healthier in three months, the centre says you’re free to leave with no obligation.

Yeovil Fitness & Wellbeing Centre, Yeovale Leisure Park, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1NP. Tel: 0845 1549775.

5) Wellington Sports Centre has a Go Fitness Gym and Young Persons Fitness Centre, as well as a swimming pool, sports hall and squash courts. It also holds a variety of fitness classes.

Wellington Sports Centre, Cormans Lane, Wellington, Somerset TA21 8LL. Tel: 01823 663010.

6) Wellsprings Leisure Centre in Taunton offers fitness classes and children’s activities at its facilities, which include a Go Fitness Gym, sports hall and outdoor tennis courts.

Wellsprings Leisure Centre, Cheddon Road, Taunton, Somerset TA2 7QP. Tel: 01823 271271.

7) Churchill Sports Centre has an indoor swimming pool, sports hall, tennis courts and a variety of fitness classes on offer, including yoga. The centre also has a floodlit 3G all-weather pitch.

Churchill Sports Centre, Churchill Green, Churchill, Somerset BS25 5QL. Tel: 01934 852303.

8) Hutton Moor Leisure Centre in Weston-super-Mare boasts a 92-station gym alongside its sports hall and swimming pool with separate sauna, steam and spa pool. Existing members can also earn a free month if they introduce a friend.

Hutton Moor Leisure Centre, Hutton Moor Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset BS22 8LY. Tel: 01934 425900.

9) Train Station Health and Fitness Centre has venues in Glastonbury and Frome, with classes and personal training on offer at both gyms. Staff will also help with sports nutrition advice.

Train Station, 14 Dye House Lane, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9LZ. Tel: 01458 832743.

Train Station, Station Approach, Frome, Somerset BA11 1RE. Tel: 01373 451360.

10) West Somerset Leisure Centre in Minehead has facilities to keep fit both indoors and outdoors. If you want to stay dry, visit the fitness suite, sports hall or squash courts. If you’re not worried about the elements, get out on the floodlight hard courts and all-weather pitch, or take advantage of the track and field facilities.

West Somerset Leisure Centre, Bircham Road, Alcombe, Minehead, Somerset TA24 6AY. Tel: 01643 708815.

Tone Leisure, which operates eight Somerset centres including the ones featured here in Wellington, Taunton and Churchill, has posted a video on YouTube showing how simple it is to join a gym. You can view the video below.