Looking to stay in shape in DeKalb? If so, you will have a lot of choices to make about where to go to exercise. The possibilities, while not endless, are certainly numerous.

Burns Gym, 1217 Blackhawk Drive, appeals mostly to college students. According to Assistant Manager Jennifer Bowker, the gym is equipped with universal weights, free weights, stairmasters and exercise bikes. Also, it has a separate women’s fitness room with both universal and free weights.

In addition to this individual-style equipment, the gym offers at least two aerobics classes per day, Bowker said.

She said Burns Gym offers various lengths of memberships which range from one month to six months as well as a one year membership.

Paul Wright, owner of Fourth Street Fitness, 213 S. Fourth Street, says his gym features a wide range of equipment for people trying to get in shape. Wright said the people who train at Fourth Street Fitness tend to be older, ranging from early 20s to late 60s. As a result, the gym offers a lot of training on the equipment to prevent accidents, he said.

Some of the equipment offered at Fourth Street Fitness includes free weights, universal equipment and Nautilus, Wright said. For those interested in cardiovascular training, there are treadmills, rowing machines, ski machines and life cycles.

Wright said for those interested in aerobics, Fourth Street Fitness holds approximately 20 classes per week. The club also offers separate training for women on the nautilus equipment.

Fourth Street Fitness memberships are for either three months or one year, he said.

The YMCA, 2500 Bethany Road, takes a more family orientated approach. According to Diana Keys, YMCA fitness instructor, ages of members range from pre-school to senior citizens.

The facility emphasizes classes, she said. Among them are swimming classes, aerobics and women’s self-defense courses.

Additionally, the YMCA has a pool, tennis and racquetball courts, stationary bikes, Stairmasters, Nordic Track and a weight room with free weights, Keys said. The facility also has a heart rate room with cardiovascular equipment.

YMCA membership for a basic adult is $210 a year, which is split into two payments of $120 and $90, she said.

Last, but not least, is the NIU Office of Campus Recreation. According to Intramural Sports Coordinator Deb Owen, ages of those who typically use the OCR range from college age to over 50. She said the facility has a wide range of equipment, including standard exercise bikes, free weights and stairmasters.

Owen said the OCR also has different facilities for sports such as racquetball, wallyball, tennis, badminton, basketball, volleyball, pickleball and table tennis.

Membership is free for college students who are attending classes, Owen said. For community members, dues are $40 for spring and fall semesters.