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Original poster

Anyone care to join me in a January gym rant?

209 replies

HandbagsnGladrags · 08/01/2023 13:24

I'd forgotten how much I hate January at my gym (and yes, I am aware than I was once a newbie but I'm going to rant anyway as a was never a newbie dick).

Got there this morning with plenty of time to spare to get to my class. There are cars queueing for spaces and people dicking around with indicators on waiting for people to leave their space, blocking the whole road. 4x4's parked across two spaces in case anyone should park too close to their precious tank. Then I finally get inside to find an entire family with kids blocking the entrance barriers because they can't find their membership cards or whatever. GET OUT THE WAY!!!

Get to class. Newbies who have never done it before turn up at the very last minute so that the instructor starts the class late because he has to explain everything to them. If you're new, turn up early to allow for this FFS.

Then on the way out there are two kids playing catch with a ball in the café where people are eating and drinking. It's not a playground FFS!!

Ahh I feel better now. Roll on February when everyone will have fucked off and normal service is resumed.

OP posts:
Original poster
HandbagsnGladrags · 08/01/2023 16:06

N00bz · 08/01/2023 16:05

Look, we had to put up with you lot descending on our pubs in December.

Oh don't worry, I go to the pub all year round! 😂

OP posts:
Indiana2021 · 08/01/2023 16:09

You're an absolute delight OP.

Stellaris22 · 08/01/2023 16:09

Clearly your gym needs this ticket warden OP m.youtube.com/watch?v=5MutDPZKR0M

octaviaaur · 08/01/2023 16:11

N00bz · 08/01/2023 16:05

Look, we had to put up with you lot descending on our pubs in December.

We were well behaved I'll have you know!

😀

Lcb123 · 08/01/2023 16:12

Maybe the gym shouldn’t have a car park… and encourage active travel

Danikm151 · 08/01/2023 16:15

It’s those that don’t wipe the equipment down that used to annoy me the most.

N00bz · 08/01/2023 16:17

Lcb123 · 08/01/2023 16:12

Maybe the gym shouldn’t have a car park… and encourage active travel

At my gym, you have people battling for the spaces closest to the door year round.

Like, walk the extra 50 feet before you do an hour on the treadmill.

SeeYouNextTLol · 08/01/2023 16:17

😂😂😂 yeah they will be gone by Feb. Its like Church at Christmas or when they need a form signed from the priest.

Littlechickenhead · 08/01/2023 16:17

I hear you @HandbagsnGladrags. I mainly do classes but it’s really annoying when a newbie turns up at the last minute (or often during warm up) then cram themselves in where there’s no real space, expecting everyone to move to accommodate them. They then have to get the instructor to come over and help them, faff about getting equipment and leave their bag and phone on the floor right in your way.

Everyone was a newbie once and I don’t begrudge people learning at all but it’s more about etiquette than anything else. If I’m doing a class which I’m new to, I get there 15 mins early so I can sort myself out.

CocoLux · 08/01/2023 16:19

I go to the gym several times a week and have done for years. So it's not just those who don't/can't exercise who think you're being a bit of a silly snob. And unless you personally check the details of every other member, you don't know who it is parking across two spaces (which I do agree is twatty).

Manasprey · 08/01/2023 16:19

Go running. Only saw 1 other out this morning. Only a few cyclists too. V cheerful chap who I'm guessing had not long started. I'd done 8km of rain and wind and had 2 to go. I waved and smiled, but was not feeling it.

Couple more months and I'll have to share my paths again.

Original poster
HandbagsnGladrags · 08/01/2023 16:21

Manasprey · 08/01/2023 16:19

Go running. Only saw 1 other out this morning. Only a few cyclists too. V cheerful chap who I'm guessing had not long started. I'd done 8km of rain and wind and had 2 to go. I waved and smiled, but was not feeling it.

Couple more months and I'll have to share my paths again.

I used to but sadly can't any more due to knackered knees. Used to love running outdoors in the winter.

OP posts:
ChickyNuggies · 08/01/2023 16:24

This thread is mean actually. I just joined DL yesterday and this will be the first time at a gym in my life.

I am fat and desperate want to lose weight and increase my fitness levels but have put it off for years because I am so anxious about doing something wrong, not knowing how to use the equipment and looking like a fat mess in classes with the graceful swan "regulars".

I'm now half tempted to cancel my membership whilst I'm in the 14 day cooling off period because this has just confirmed my fears

octaviaaur · 08/01/2023 16:27

I run as well. It's the same with running here. No CFs, but lots of additional runners to pass this time of year.

Original poster
HandbagsnGladrags · 08/01/2023 16:29

@ChickyNuggies I'm sorry I made you feel like that, please don't cancel. And I'm really not a graceful swan, honestly.

If you're going to a class, turn up in plenty of time for them to show you the ropes. The instructors are very helpful. I'm happy to help you with class recommendations if you'd like to PM me.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 08/01/2023 16:38

ChickyNuggies · 08/01/2023 16:24

This thread is mean actually. I just joined DL yesterday and this will be the first time at a gym in my life.

I am fat and desperate want to lose weight and increase my fitness levels but have put it off for years because I am so anxious about doing something wrong, not knowing how to use the equipment and looking like a fat mess in classes with the graceful swan "regulars".

I'm now half tempted to cancel my membership whilst I'm in the 14 day cooling off period because this has just confirmed my fears

Don't be daft
Just turn up in good time for classes and you'll do ok

Twizbe · 08/01/2023 16:39

I with you on the Jan pain. I got stuck in my parking space last week by a dickhead who'd parked on some double yellows. When I'd arrived there were spaces free both sides of me so could get in. When I left those spaces were filled and with the car behind I couldn't back out.

After calling the owner many many times she finally emerged at 6pm. She'd been 'wfh' in the club room all day and ignored every call for her to come.

Parking is a nightmare and getting onto classes is really hard. Roll on February.

We went on NYD as well and while I was in the shower I heard a woman being sick down the drain Confused

SweetPetrichor · 08/01/2023 16:39

And this is why every time I think getting a gym membership could be fun, I chicken out…I don’t want to be the idiot who doesn’t know the processes!

octaviaaur · 08/01/2023 16:40

People not knowing how to use the equipment is only natural. Please don't give up your gym membership. @ChickyNuggies

I like newcomers to gym and classes as it can get a bit stale or cliquey if you've been going for a while. And part of the reason I say hello to newcomers is because some, few, people don't make them welcome (I think some old regulars worry the latest newcomer might be better than they are as some can be competitive), and even, though rarely, can come across as hostile in my opinion.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 08/01/2023 16:44

HandbagsnGladrags · 08/01/2023 15:08

In terms of the gym should be telling people to turn up early for classes I would think this is just common sense. Even as someone who's been going to classes for years, I don't turn up on the dot of the start time as there's equipment to set up etc.

It's not even common sense... I've just checked on the DL app and it says to arrive 10 minutes early if it's your first class.

I feel ya. It is frustrating when someone rocks up late (as the class is about to start is late), it disrupts the class. I'm all for no one being let in after the class has begun... Or children are running around the club room. You wouldn't do that in a cafe so why would you do it in the club room?

maggienolia · 08/01/2023 16:45

Oh yes, the classic species of newyearresolutionus exercisus.
They can be easily spotted as they gather in pairs in bodies of water, wearing a swimsuit that hasn't seen the light of day for a year, swim up and down for a few lengths chatting side by side. They also invariably do breaststroke with their head up so that a) they can keep chatting, b) glasses stay on and c) make up and hair stay dry.

As pps have said they disappear by February.

Stellaris22 · 08/01/2023 16:53

b) glasses stay on

I'm genuinely confused, as a glasses wearer it'd be dangerous not to wear mine as my vision is bad and don't like lenses.

Are all expensive gyms full of rude people being unwelcoming to newcomers? Yes, you can tell who's new but it's great people are giving the gym a go. It's awful f people are then not returning because they feel judged.

ManchesterGirl2 · 08/01/2023 16:57

N00bz · 08/01/2023 16:05

Look, we had to put up with you lot descending on our pubs in December.

😂

GoodbyeLondon · 08/01/2023 16:58

HandbagsnGladrags · 08/01/2023 16:29

@ChickyNuggies I'm sorry I made you feel like that, please don't cancel. And I'm really not a graceful swan, honestly.

If you're going to a class, turn up in plenty of time for them to show you the ropes. The instructors are very helpful. I'm happy to help you with class recommendations if you'd like to PM me.

How did you think your oh so hilarious "join me in a rant about NEWBIES hahahaha" thread on a very public forum was going to go down with newbies though? Did you think they wouldn't see it or something?

ManchesterGirl2 · 08/01/2023 16:59

I agree it's non-obvious that you should turn up early. I'd assume that the room and instructor are busy with another class until the start time.