Meet your New Year’s resolutions in Indy

The biggest step in completing your New Year’s resolution? Show up.

The shipping containers at Glutes 317

Work on those booty gains in the new year.

Photo by INDYtoday team

Table of Contents

Looking to meet your New Year’s resolution in the Circle City? From feeling fit to finding a new furry friend, check out our local resolution recommendations below.

💪 Join a gym

  • American Muscle Factory | 7747 Shelby St. | This family-owned facility opened just last year by a local USA Championships Heavyweight Winner and Mr. Olympia qualifier. It has a posing room, rehab and injury prevention sessions, and personal training classes.
  • Glutes 317 | 201 S. Summit St. | “Indy’s only glute focused gym” is not your normal gym — it’s a hidden fitness gem made out of shipping containers. There, you can work out in your own box and hit the sauna afterward.
  • North Mass Boulder | 1411 Roosevelt Ave. | First-time climber? This bouldering gym welcomes beginners, as well as advanced practitioners, and also includes a cardio area, weightlifting equipment, and yoga and fitness classes for those who want to stay on ground level.
Inside Indy Reads with a stack of books in the foreground.

Did you know Indy Reads also gives literacy classes?

Photo by INDYtoday team

📚 Read more books

  • Ujamaa Community Bookstore | Learn more about the story of African diaspora at this gathering place at Flanner House that sells more than just books. You can pick up a journal and many other products from local vendors while perusing a collage of art prints.
  • Irvington Vinyl & Books | 202 S. Audubon Rd. | Don’t know what you’re looking for? The folks who work at this neighborhood spot give great recommendations, no matter your interest. If you haven’t been here in a while, make sure to note that it moved down the street last year.
  • Indy Reads | 1066 Virginia Ave. | Knock out your TBR list at a bookstore that also gives back to the community. Did you know that the Fountain Square nonprofit helps adults and English language learners with literacy lessons.
  • Want to double down on your local support? Snag a book by a Hoosier author while you’re at it.

🎨 Nurture your creativity

  • Gravesco | 1501 E. Michigan St. | Make your own moon phase wall hanging or smoosh together tiny animals at one of Gravesco’s one-time workshops. You can find the pottery spot in Grounded Plant and Floral’s old spot across from Arsenal Tech.
  • Fountain Square Clay Center | 950 Hosbrook St. | Take a one-night lesson or get your hands dirty with eight weeks of instruction from a number of seasoned teachers. Pro tip: If you go the eight-week route, you can take part in a group show to sell your work.
  • Garfield Park Art Center | 2432 Conservatory Dr. | This south side center offers voice and piano lessons, flow painting, needle felting, and “sassy embroidery” classes, just to name a few. If you’re an outdoorsy type, you can hit the park or visit the conservatory after class.
  • Indianapolis Art Center | 820 E. 62nd St. | Work with paint, clay, wood, jewelry, hot glass, and more with the help of experienced instructors at this north side gem right off the Monon. If you and your friends need a little inspiration, you can also book group tours of the facility.
A person hugging a dog at Indy Humane

This could be you in 2023.

Photo via @dogtorkristi

🐾 Take care of a pet

  • Indy Humane | 7929 N. Michigan Rd. | Looking for a furry friend to kick off the new year (and the years to come)? Adopt one at Indy Humane or donate a little of your time to the shelter. The cats and dogs will thank you for it.
  • Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) | 2600 S. Harding St. | Find a dog or cat of your very own or apply to foster an animal. The shelter has been overcrowded several times this year, so if you’ve been considering an animal addition to your family, now might be a great time.
  • Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN) | 5100 Charles Court, Zionsville | Be the dog parent for a dog parent. ICAN has a “Litter Host” program during which you can care for a pregnant doggo leading up to her delivery and eight weeks afterward.

🏙️ Explore your city

  • Through2Eyes Walk & Talks | Dive into Indy’s rich Black history in areas like Indiana Avenue, Butler-Tarkington, and Mapleton-Fall Creek with history buff Sampson Levingston. If you want to get to know Sampson before your tour, check out our Q+A with the Indy local.
  • Indiana Historical Society | 450 W. Ohio St. | Learn about Indiana’s past by walking through award-winning exhibits and spending time in the history lab. If you want to stay home, dig into some of its digital archives and be transported through time from the comfort of your couch.
  • Devour Indy | Various locations | Winterfest is coming, and you won’t want to miss this foodie event complete with set “Devour” menus and deals throughout the city. If you’ve been wanting to try a new restaurant, Monday, Jan. 23-Sunday, Feb. 5 might be the right time.
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