YMCA membership reaches nearly half of Norfolk population

NORFOLK -- Gym memberships at the Norfolk Family YMCA has reached a record high: 11,000. 

According to World Population Review, Norfolk has around 24,000 people. That means almost half the city is part of the YMCA. 

"We were roughly at eight or nine thousand members and since we built the new facility is when we started to skyrocket," said Randy Hagedorn, executive director of Norfolk Family YMCA. "New Year's Day and Thanksgiving we had around 3 and 400 people that were here."

Hagedorn said the membership pump is not just because of New Year's resolutions.

"I think the biggest thing for the growth is there's so much to do here [...] and it's gonna get even better because in the next couple weeks we're adding batting cages," Hagedorn. The Y even just purchased 18 new pieces of equipment.

For new members, trainer Sam Moore said consistency is key. 

 "I've been lifting weights ever since I was 13 [...] it's about developing a passion finding something you love and something you enjoy doing," Moore said.

"They gotta stick with it," Hagedorn said. 

The gym gives free orientation to new members.

While they don't have numbers on January yet, the Hagedorn said they do expect to grow this month.