Residents looking to start fresh in the new year can get some free professional help from local businesses.

Fitness Together, the private personal training studio at 166 North Main St., Andover, is beginning its second Extreme Makeover project, where people write an essay to explain why they deserve to win a makeover valued at more than $10,000 per person.

Fitness Together will provide personal training, cardiovascular conditioning and nutrition counseling to those chosen for three and a half months.

Many other businesses are also donating their services to the winners. Indra Salon is providing hair, nails and skin care. Dr. Nitish Nahata with Tewksbury Family Dental will provide teeth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry as needed. Elements Therapeutic Massage will provide the lucky winners with weekly sports massages. Native Sun will offer not only brand new outfits but complete wardrobe consulting. Palmers restaurant will host the interviews as well as the Extreme Celebration.

Those interested in wining the makeover can fill out an entry form, and send in photos and an essay describing why they deserve the opportunity. The business owners will narrow the requests down to 10 finalists who will be invited to an interview in early January for the second and final round of the selection process. Two makeover winners will begin the program immediately. In early May, after their training and preparation, family and friends will be invited to celebrate their success.