To be annoyed at all the january gym goers.

[Hannah4banana]

I know iabu so it's just a rant really.
It's great that people decide to get fit but I'm struggling to get into classes that I've been going to for over a year and its mobbed sane as last January.
I know it will all die down again by February. The gym booking system crashed today because there was so many people trying to access it!
Good luck to anyone starting a new e revise plan, I hope you manage to stick to it

I often have make up on in the gym if I have come from work / a meeting / somewhere else.

I get naffed off with newbies at spin class who don't listen to the instructor and just pootle along at the same gentle pace while the rest of us are actually following the instructor's workout. If you just want to pedal a bit then go on one of the stationary bikes outside the studio at any time you want, the whole point of a class is to follow the workout (or at least give it your best shot) so don't take up a spot if you want to do your own thing!

I'm probably being unreasonable. I don't mind newbies in general though. My gym has a summer peak as well, June and July there's a massive influx of pre-/post-holiday goers. September and October seem to be really quiet months.

the hardcore elite

Officially the wankiest thing I have read on MN

Mackerel well of they are newbies they may not be up to doing it all and are finding their feet / seeing if they like it. Also, why does it matter to you if you've got a spot. Everyone was a beginner once - including you

Why? I think that's a shame.

Bluntness there are plenty of other ways/places to exercise.

Queen I go 5 times a week but I am neither hardcore nor elite. More softcore proletariat

Fortunately that shit has been rare on this thread

Having said that though, anyone who IS thinking of joining a gym this year, I'd say:

a) Go for it! It's really not that bad and anyone who is looking around at others rather than getting on with their own exercising is really in no position to judge you!

b) Have a look round first, they're nearly always more than happy to give you a tour and you get a feel for the clientele, classes, how busy it gets, and to check out things like the showers and lockers and booking systems, if they matter to you.

TBH I have way more

BitOutOfPractice Obviously if they're still turning up 3 months later and get the hang of it, that's brilliant. Yes of course I was a beginner once, which is why I listened carefully to the instructor.

I've never understood the attraction of gyms, it is much nicer to exercise outdoors. You don't have to run, you can walk and you can cycle. Admittedly I am a fair weather cyclist so don't cycle this time of year - just too cold (and can be icy and therefore dangerous too). But couch to 5k is much cheaper than joining the gym and you don't have to run in the dark if you can get out at weekends or at lunchtimes if you work. Or join a running club for company running in the dark - the annual sub will be less than the monthly sub for a gym.

I don't use a gym but do meet at my local leisure centre to run, I won't be able to park for the next few weeks. I suppose the parkruns will experience a swell in numbers this weekend as well.

I usually run at the gym not outdoors because:

• like you I don't like the rain and the cold
• pavements really are too hard on my knees
• I can do other strength / conditioning training while I'm at the gym
• I meet my DP (who is a swimmer) in the spa afterwards
• I find it more sociable to be among people than running alone (I work for myself, alone)
• the times of the local running club just never work for me

I do walk and cycle outside though

So you see there are many "attractions" to the gym that are "much nicer" than outdoors

There some pretty good ideas going on at my gym. There's spin classes where you can take your baby in their buggy and they provide ear defenders, also autism and SN friendly days where the music and lights are dimmed right down.
They are doing some things right just need more classes to fit all the new members in!

I remember a class where the instructor was handing out baby wipes at the door, and asking women to remove their make-up before going inside. It was so funny , but it worked though!

myfavouritecolourispurple it's all well and good to run and cycle, but some people also need strength training to complement their exercise routine. Sometimes, it's also nice to do something a bit different and join a class to exercise differently. Gyms are quite useful for cross training and improving.

Wtf?!
Are you serious?! I'd tell the instructor to go fuck themselves.

Ive been to a spin class where the instructor thought he was a Hollywood action man or something

"If you talk, I will hurt you. If you slow down, I will make you pay. Resistance is futile! Do. Not. Be. WEAK!"

That sort of thing. On and on. He got off his bike and came around shouting in people's faces.

I left and went for a run on the treadmill instead. I love spin but not that kind of trash talk!

Myfavouritecolour
I'm also a fair weather cyclist due to cold and ice, that id actually the very reason I go to the gym as I not only enjoy cycling and running outside, I don't want to stop when the weather isn't pleasant

Our spin instructed is ex forces. I love her. She's welcoming, professional and really good with new people emphasising the importance of stretching and hydration and will whip of her bike to help someone whilst still instructing.

Honeydragon

it's a free country, no one would force you to attend. The class was (and still is but I moved) very very popular. Whilst it's true that women caked in make up look disgusting in a sweaty class - we are talking a bit more than a touch of mascara here - more seriously, it was an excellent way to expect people to respect the class and be prepared to work at the best of their ability. As I said, excellent class, with fantastic results and a highly respected instructors.

The look on the face of some of the newbies was priceless

I'd also tell them to fuck themselves if someone told me to remove make up

Having make up on or not has absolutely no bearing on how hard I work in a class. And I hate how make up wipes make my skin feel all dry and prickly

YANBU. It is an issue - can't even get on a treadmill. Always is. Every single year.

My only thoughts about new starters are:

1. Please take time to warm up and cool down. You'll be less likely to injure yourself and it'd be nice to see you still there in February. There are often guides to this on the walls near areas with mats, if you're shy like me and don't want to ask a member of staff.

2. Exercising shouldn't hurt. Don't try to push through pain. It's good to start slowly and build on what you've achieved.

3. Make your attendance schedule sustainable long term.

I've seen too many new starters go full throttle for a week or two then I don't see them ever again. I've always guessed that injury was a common reason.

The above points apply to everyone, but I feel they are more critical when starting out.

I go the gym 4 or 5 times a week and never once seen a woman with sweaty make up. I wear mascara and eyeliner and it stays in tact and I really fucking go for it. I don't really go to analyse anyone else's appearance. Facially or physically. That said & without meaning to contradict myself, I have started to notice a difference between what strong looks like rather than skinny and how much more attractive strong is. Not that I am saying skinny is unattractive but strong is a look that anyone can achieve and I think it also says something about your character. I've only been gyming for a year and I'm 44, so this is a turn around in my thinking. I see women of all sizes who look strong and it's fabulous.

I'd also tell them to fuck themselves

then again, obviously not the class for you. They have enough members to stick to their own rules and not start pleasing everybody. If your first interaction with an instructor is to tell them to fuck themselves, then it's probably best if you don't attend his class.

So do they advertise this on the boards before you go in? If you genuinely don't want to do it (eg allergic to make up wipes) will they be fine with it?

How heavily do they inspect everyone's faces?

I go the gym 4 or 5 times a week and never once seen a woman with sweaty make up. I wear mascara and eyeliner and it stays in tact and I really fucking go for it. I don't really go to analyse anyone else's appearance. Facially or physically. That said & without meaning to contradict myself, I have started to notice a difference between what strong looks like rather than skinny and how much more attractive strong is. Not that I am saying skinny is unattractive but strong is a look that anyone can achieve and I think it also says something about your character. I've only been gyming for a year and I'm 44, so this is a turn around in my thinking. I see women of all sizes who look strong and it's fabulous.

Not that I am saying skinny is unattractive but strong is a look that anyone can achieve and I think it also says something about your character. I've only been gyming for a year and I'm 44, so this is a turn around in my thinking. I see women of all sizes who look strong and it's fabulous.

Speak for yourself. As an ectomorph, I strongly disagree that "strong" is easier than skinny, as would the rest of my family!