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Birthday celebrations and bachelorette parties have one new possible venue to add on to the long list of clubs, bars, and restaurants, the unexpected local gym. Gyms across the United States are starting to implement new programs for people looking to celebrate any type of event. These gyms are combining exercise with fun routines in attempting to lure people into trying something different for their next get together. Not only are these gym parties good for one's physical health, working together in groups is also a great mental motivator.

"We've created bachelorette parties, birthday parties, college reunions and divorce parties," the senior vice president of programming at Crunch facilities, Donna Cyrus explained. These parties give people a great time exercising while indirectly advertising the gym's quality, equipment, and staff.

Although this venture into hosting parties is still very new for gyms, one of the most popular parties is pole dancing. This kind of party is usually requested by women in their 20s and 30s and provides a nice and private way of enjoying a different kind of area while exerting energy and losing calories. The comfort of doing this along with close friends and family is also a selling factor for many.

"The class [pole dancing] is a reason for friends to get together and shed inhibitions for an hour, as well as a great marketing tool and clever use of idle space for the gym," Cyrus added.

Not only are these parties a good way to advertise a gym, they are also a good place to build support between friends and family members. After having fun at one of these festivities, people might want to work out more with one another, which creates a healthy and supportive environment that promotes exercise and healthy living. Furthermore, these types of festivities can also be used by companies who want to promote healthy stress management for their employees.

"They're not only offering a class or two. Organizers are taking the time to create a whole mind/body commitment. You're seeing a strong trend for conferences to include stress management and people are identifying yoga and movement with stress management."

The gym classes and instructors also stress that parties are still slightly different from classes. At a gym party, people are encouraged to try different rigorous moves like a fitness class, but the air and environment are definitely more relaxed. People, who might not like exercising too much, can have fun in these low stress parties and manage to get some form of aerobic movements.

With the increasing popularity behind these gym parties, the next celebration you attend might just be in your local gym.