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 the worst time of year for the gym and I dread going when it’s like this! Trying to book my usual classes is impossible and then the night before everyone cancels or just doesn’t show on the day so it’s like playing fastest finger first getting a spot. Quick runs before classes impossible as the treadmills are full.

The positive is though their memberships are what keeps the gym going all year and I love looking at everyone’s new trainers.

Give it a couple of months and you regulars will have chased all but the most hard core of newbies out the door.

Yes. I find classes the best bet when it's busy as atleast you've got a "spot"

I'm giving myself January off as its ridiculous at my gym. Mine is popular with young teenagers and, while I applaud them for going to the gym, they sit on machines doing nothing for 20 minutes. Wish the staff would give them guidance on the etiquette. Unfortunately I'm limited to certain times and it clashes with the teens attending.

The straightener people are baffling me, as everyone is asking, don’t you go to a salon?

OP our gym is chaos at peak times anyway but it’s even worse at the moment. Somehow the gym gods (Hi Arnie) are smiling on me because for the last week, every piece of equipment I have wanted has become free just as I need it. It’s magical!

I am wondering if I have a very scary face or bad offensive odour!

I really hate the people who do their sets right in front of the weights rack, then glare at you when you try to get some weights.

@GauntJudy the teens train in packs here, minimum of 4 crowded round the leg extension! Surprised they don’t have to warm up again by the time they get their turn.

You don’t own the gyms @NewYearStillFat

People have just a right to use if as do you..even if they don’t practice perfect etiquette. I’m sure you don’t either

Oh was just thinking this , couldn't get into my usual classes as booked out with a wait list but also apparently they didn't turn up or cancel.

What’s weird about communal straighteners? All gyms I’ve ever visited - bar the cheap council run ones - have had them for at least the last 15 years.

Isn’t the fact that they heat to several hundred degrees kind of self cleaning?!

Gyms should limit the amount of memberships they sell.

I wonder how many of those moaning about the straighteners have pets. I suspect the pets are muckier than the straighteners!

I have no pets and don't use straighteners - in fact I don't even use a gym so why am I even on this thread

Why is it grim? They are hotter than the surface of the sun. I can only imagine you are thinking if people have lice, they would get zapped.

Same sudden surge in numbers at our rather more basic, but still excellent council facility (minus the straighteners, which I suspect wouldn't last long). Don't worry they'll all have given up again by the middle of February, which is sad because it's use it or lose it and it's great value for money...

Is it a DL? It’ll be like this all of Jan and then noticeably, comedically dead in Feb.

I have been a member for 16 years and this has never changed.

do you not go up and say have you finished with that? Teenagers are quite rightly mortified by being spoken to by middle aged women !

Exactly this, my daughter ice skates, before Christmas it’s bonkers as it’s a Christmas thing and then in January it’s dancing on ice. The regulars including my child are irritated but I keep saying it’s good as means the rink will stay open. Come august it will be quiet.

however she’s not allowed to jump when it’s busy, well only jump to a certain highz so that’s a pain

Maybe gyms should go back to having people book a slot like we had to do during Covid. It isn't fair to have to workout in the conditions described with everyone breathing (germs) down each other's necks.

Busbygirl · Today 13:53

Shared hair straighteners

Presumably the heat kills nits?

Can confirm having been a gym goer for well over 20 years. It’s the same every year. They’ll have all given up by the end of feb

Why any different to in a hairdressers?

You do realise they get very very hot?

@TorroFerney ice skating must be horrendous all December!

I've yet to see a hairdresser dip them in sterilising solution!

I ask them how many sets they have left. They usually look shell shocked and scurry away