New Year Gym Goers upsetting the equilibrium

[NewYearStillFat]

I'm a regular gym goer - usually putting the kids in clubs and using the gym is an opportunity to relax at the weekend. Everyone gets some exercise and I can workout, have a decent shower and maybe grab a coffee.

But it was utter chaos today, it was a nightmare getting on any equipment - people hogging several sets of dumbbells whilst on cable machines, maybe doing supersets or whatever but looked like they were just reserving them.

Changing rooms so busy - people occupying space they weren't in - so on changing benches but also at dressing table etc rather than move their stuff so someone else could use. I was waiting for the straighteners as a woman was literally half chatting on the phone and half straightening her hair - in the end I had to ask if she was still using them as it wasn't clear and then realised there were two other people eying them up after me.

Chaos! What's usually my place to relax was so stressful.

Good to vent, everyone starts somewhere but it would be better if they could also be considerate to other users.

It’s always the same at this time of year. Give it until half term (if not sooner!) and it’ll all be back to normal!

I hope so! I don't usually go at peak times - I go after the school run or lunch times when working from home, today was awful!

Gyms should really be communicating the etiquette to new members. Maybe you could suggest this? Too many join not knowing that they should bring a towel, wipe down equipment, re-rack all weights, get off machines in between sets etc etc. Others are just selfish and self-absorbed, like the straightener hogger on her phone.

It's hogging more equipment than you can use at one time. Like a girl who had 2-3 sets of dumbbells and was using both sides of a cable machine. I sometimes do 2-3 exercises in each set but c'mon. If I use a warm up weight I stick it back when resting.

It's annoying as the gym actively encourages it with new year PT deals etc - no doubt it's a profitable time of year but the like you say does nothing to help existing members by explaining etiquette. The changing rooms being one. Also guests at peak times right now isn't ideal!

Hang on - communal straighteners?

Isn’t it the same every year?

Most gyms have communal hairdryers and straighteners. So?

Give it two weeks and most of them will have lost their fire OP. Until then, politely suggest the gym management introduces people to basic gym etiquette.

They pay the same fees as you do. They will either have learned the ropes or given up by February.

Shared hair straighteners?

Yes but I just feel frazzled and want to vent 😂

Yes 🙌🏻

Well yes. But if everyone had that attitude and occupied 2-3x more kit and space than they could physically use at any one time the gym would be inaccessible to the other members trying to use it.

This happens every January. Just remind yourself it will be over by February half term and the people who join now and then don't go regularly for the full year subsidise the cost for the rest of us.

It’s the gym’s job to robustly remind everyone of etiquette during busy periods where this stuff will increase.

Like in a hairdresser's?

I'm not convinced that the gym being busy in January is primarily down to new members. I'd imagine if you looked at who is attending it's mostly driven by existing members going outside thier ordinary times to get in a couple of extra sessions, either they always behave like that but it's just more noticeable because there's more people there or they see it's busier and the hoarding instinct kicks in e.g. I'd better make sure I grab everything I might need for the next hour in case it's not there when I come to want it, thus creating the problem I'm trying to circumvent.

Either way, some polite notices from the gym management not to hoard equipment would probably help.

YANBU about the gym equipment etiquette but also, you could have left without straightening your hair so that's not really relevant.

Not something I've ever seen in a gym, dryers yeah. But straighteners? A bit grim.

Having said that, I've just looked at some websites and Golds gym says

also offer Cloud 9 straighteners and hairdryers in the women’s dressing area, along with ‘selfie spots’ in both men’s and women’s changing rooms!

Selfie spots..🤣

I could have left without working out, or showering or drinking coffee. The whole visit was non-compulsory. So what's that got to do with the price of fish?

Yes I'm sure that's part of it.

@Flavabobble we all sit on the same toilet seats too 🫢 germ fest!

I have a policy of not respecting super sets or people trying to alternate between two pieces of equipment as a pair (i.e. one bending while the other uses the preacher curl and swapping between sets) if there is not an alternative available.

It causes issues but fuck waiting around for selfish pricks

My sympathy.
At this time of year it's the 'new year, new me' hoards in the gym and booking up my nice Pilates class.
I think you have to be patient, the novelty will wear off.
Interestingly, the gym manager says there is also an early summer surge in numbers aspiring to a 'bikini body' and another in the autumn aiming to look good in their xmas party frocks.

My gym - Bannatynes - doesn't have communal straighteners. Hairdryers yes. TBH I never bother drying my hair at the gym - I wrap it up in a turban and do it when I get home.

I dry wash and straighten my hair because the kids are in clubs and when we're done at the gym it's back to Mum duties. So it's not ideal to leave with it wet. Not that that matters - whether or not I have a particular need doesn't excuse someone hogging stuff they're not using whilst there's a queue.