Stay on top of New Year’s resolutions using these local restaurants, gyms and classes

Tawney Beans, Akron Beacon Journal
·7 min read

New year. New you. New resolutions. They often seem simple in theory — stop biting your nails, get more organized, bake cookies without setting off the fire alarm — but often become complicated when practiced.

Luckily there are local restaurants, gyms, entertainment centers and baking classes to keep those on a journey to better themselves in line.

Healthy foods to try in Greater Akron

This resolution is one of the hardest to stay on top of since so many people became accustomed to eating sugar cookies and ham regularly during the holidays. Often, whether you are cutting out sugar, bread, diary or unhealthy foods altogether, finding restaurants that will accommodate your new lifestyle can be cumbersome. Well, at least until this list was made.

Fresh Planet: Its menu has a healthy little something for everyone, including smoothies, juices, açaí bowls, pizza and toasted pita combos. Looking to cut out carbohydrates? No worries: It also serves egg pitas. 116 Tallmadge Circle, Suite C, Tallmadge

NOMZ: This restaurant has an extensive vegan menu, a feature those lowering their dairy- or animal-based protein intake should take advantage of. In addition to traditional side dishes, NOMZ has a selection of healthy vegan sides to choose from. Northside Marketplace, 21 Furnace St., Akron

Twinsburg Healthy: This place is all about serving up health-conscious, on-the-go fare for those with a busy lifestyle. The menu features a variety of wholesome high-protein shakes, energizing teas, soothing aloes and healthy snacks. 9076 Church St. #4, Twinsburg

Taylor McKinnie, owner of Mizz Shakesum Smoothie u0026 Juice Bar, holds one of her smoothies at the Northside Marketplace in Akron.
Taylor McKinnie, owner of Mizz Shakesum Smoothie u0026 Juice Bar, holds one of her smoothies at the Northside Marketplace in Akron.

Mizz Shakesum: You will find Mizz Shakesum’s smoothies, juices, sea moss gummies and açaí bowls in Akron’s Northside Marketplace on Furnace Street or the Whole Foods Market on West Market Street in Akron. Owner Taylor McKinnie accepts special requests and will deliver drinks for an additional cost.

Black-owned business in Akron: Mizz Shakesum's bottled nutrition tastes like dessert!

Dry January

It often seems like it is near impossible to have a fun nightlife without it revolving around alcohol, but that’s just not the case. To prove it, here are five fun things to do after 5 p.m. besides hitting the bars.

TimberBeast Axe Throwing: One way to let off steam while having some fun is throwing axes, preferable in a controlled environment like TimberBeast. The company even has a trailer for all your mobile ax-throwing needs. 2524 Medina Road, Suite 300, Medina

A movie plays on a 100-inch screen at Screen Suites in Akron. Luxury leather recliners and 7.2 Dolby digital surround sound make the movie experience complete.
A movie plays on a 100-inch screen at Screen Suites in Akron. Luxury leather recliners and 7.2 Dolby digital surround sound make the movie experience complete.

Screen Suites: Reserving one of these gets you a private suite with its own dining room, bathroom and high-definition theater with access to any streaming service and DirecTV — truly a dream come true for those of us who like to try new foods and movies. 797 E. Market St., Akron

Dinner and a movie?: Fine dining and the movie theater experience collide at Screen Suites in Akron

Akron Civic Theatre: Entertainment doesn’t just stop at musical performances at the Akron Civic Theatre. Over the next couple of months, ballets, stunt dogs, a ventriloquist and more will also take the stage. 182 S. Main St., Akron

Tiffany Roper, owner of OH SNAP Photo Lab, demonstrates the 360 Spin Booth on Dec. 15 in Akron.
Tiffany Roper, owner of OH SNAP Photo Lab, demonstrates the 360 Spin Booth on Dec. 15 in Akron.

Take a selfie … or two … or three: Make an appointment at one of the area’s selfie studios for a few hours of photo-centric fun. Not sure where to start? Try out OH SNAP Photo Lab’s inflatable photo booth and 360 spin booth. 209 S. Main St., Suite 501, Akron

Black-owned business in Akron: Roundup of series' stories, updates on OH SNAP Photo Lab

Weight loss

One of life’s more cruel jokes is ensuring all the great things about the holidays (pumpkin rolls, eggnog, ham, etc.) never fail to pack on the pounds each year. It’s a real shame, but the good news is that everyone gets 10 months to check out these gyms, lose the weight and start the cycle over again — whoopie!

Welcome to the Pit: This 24/7 gym offers one-, three-, six- and 12-month memberships starting at a monthly rate of $27. Its training equipment is suitable for novice and experienced individuals. 2530 Wedgewood Drive, Akron

Black-owned business in Akron: Focus on Black-owned Businesses: Welcome to the Pit offers wide variety of training

Fit Life Gym: This gym specializes in small and large group personal training, nutrition coaching and mindset development. 2101 Front St., Lower Level, Cuyahoga Falls

Ripp City Fitness: A full-service physical gym with the technology to curate an online workout experience and massage therapy. 9224 Darrow Road, Twinsburg

More: Ripp City Fitness in Twinsburg 'not the typical gym'

Get Fit 24: Membership here means access to personal trainers and the 24/7 gym. It also sells grab-and-go meals, drinks, supplements and pre-workout by the scoop. 2695 W. Market Street, Fairlawn

Tyrannosaurus Flex Fitness owner Kellie Dziemianzuk leads a drumfit demonstration at a grand-opening gathering May 29, 2021, in Stow.
Tyrannosaurus Flex Fitness owner Kellie Dziemianzuk leads a drumfit demonstration at a grand-opening gathering May 29, 2021, in Stow.

Tyrannosaurus Flex Fitness: A fitness center with drumfit (a cardio drumming program where participants use yoga balls, buckets, drumsticks and high-energy music to complete a full-body workout), Zumba, kickboxing, yoga and other classes involving bungee cords (T-flex fly) and kangaroo shoes (T-flex bounce). 3073 Graham Road, Stow

More on Tyrannosaurus Flex Fitness: Kellie Dziemianzuk supports her community through cardio drumming

Spend time with friends and family

Finding more time to spend with those who are important in your life can be difficult but determining what to do during that quality time doesn’t have to be. Summit County is filled with family-friendly things to bond over.

Springfield Lake Roller Rink​: Nothing quite says family time like racing around a roller rink or teaching little ones how to properly skate. On a budget? Take the whole family for $3 Tuesdays, where admission and skate rentals are $3 each. 1220 Main St., Lakemore

Melinda Turner, owner of So So Artsy Paint and Sip Studio works with student Ali DiPaola, 5, during a one-on-one art session at the studio in Northfield.
Melinda Turner, owner of So So Artsy Paint and Sip Studio works with student Ali DiPaola, 5, during a one-on-one art session at the studio in Northfield.

So So Artsy Paint & Sip Studios: Creative expression is important, so why not do it with your friend group or family? This arts and crafts studio and workshop provides the art supplies and lets you bring in food or drinks to enjoy while painting. 115 E. Aurora Road, Northfield

Black-owned Business in Northfield: So-So Artsy combines fun, artistic release

Stonehedge: Walk in and take your pick of activities. Stonehedge has normal bowling, lunar bowling and arcade games available year-round. In the warmer months, patrons can use the miniature golf course, too. 580 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron

Frida Bee, 6, learns to skate with her father, Matt Bee, on Nov. 28, 2020, in Cuyahoga Falls.
Frida Bee, 6, learns to skate with her father, Matt Bee, on Nov. 28, 2020, in Cuyahoga Falls.

Ice skating: Go out and get some quality time on the ice before it’s too late. Skating costs $3 at the downtown Akron rink between the State Street bridge and Canal Park Stadium if you bring your own skates and $5 for those who need to rent skates. There is no admission fee for the rink near Cuyahoga Falls’ downtown pavilion and amphitheater. Skate rentals there are $5 per person.

More on local ice skating: Lock 3 construction forces Akron to move its downtown ice rink for WinterBlast

Fun 'n’ Stuff: An amusement park with indoor bumper cars, laser tag, bowling, roller skating and some unusual attractions, like a mini roller coaster. One great perk is that families can bring their own cake to eat while playing. 661 Highland Road E., Macedonia

Learn a new skill or hobby

The options with this resolution are almost endless, but here are just a few to get the ball rolling.

Cuyahoga Valley Art Center: This art center has classes for those who want to learn ceramics, woodcarving, drawing and painting. Courses for painting are broken down further according to the medium used to paint, such as watercolors, oil and acrylic. 2131 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls

Reggie Brown, the owner and sensei of the Twinsburg Karate Institute, works with student Carter Roesel, 8, on learning the basics of bo kata.
Reggie Brown, the owner and sensei of the Twinsburg Karate Institute, works with student Carter Roesel, 8, on learning the basics of bo kata.

The Twinsburg Karate Institute: Signing up for classes like this are really a two-in-one deal. By practicing martial arts, you get to exercise and learn how to properly defend yourself at the same time — a real blessing for the overachievers trying to fulfill two New Year’s resolutions this year. 2272 Pinnacle Parkway, Twinsburg

More: Focus on Black-owned businesses: Growing Twinsburg karate school looks to rebuild after COVID-19

Creative Motion Studios: This dance studio has classes for people who would like to learn in person or virtually. Creative Motion Studios offers courses on tap, ballet, jazz and more. 50 Springside Drive Suite A-130, Akron

Long Tail Knits: There’s still enough time to create that scarf before winter is over. Learn from fiber artists and experts how to knit, weave, crochet, felt, lace and work with just about any other fiber you can think of. 148 E. Aurora Road, Northfield Center

Marie Kostos, right, owner of Marie's Patisserie, helps Connie Carpenter of Boardman mix batter for French macarons during a baking class in Tallmadge.
Marie Kostos, right, owner of Marie's Patisserie, helps Connie Carpenter of Boardman mix batter for French macarons during a baking class in Tallmadge.

Marie's Patisserie: Here it is, the solution to the fire alarm going off when you get ambitious and attempt to make cookies. You’ll get schooled on simple eats like cinnamon rolls to the culinary world’s more complicated recipes, like French macarons. 338 Northeast Ave, Tallmadge

Contact Beacon Journal reporter Tawney Beans at tbeans@gannett.com and on Twitter @TawneyBeans.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: New Year's resolutions: Akron businesses can help you stick to it