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.

No idea. They aren’t people I usually see. So assume new members. I tend to go less in January because I can’t be bothered with the amount of people there

I take my dgc to their swimming lessons, one at around 6.00pm on a weeknight and the other on Saturday am. The gym is upstairs, is glass fronted and faces the swimming spectator area. Prior to Christmas the gym was empty some weeknights and had 1 or 2 men on Saturdays. This week it was rammed - all machines full and people were queuing for the treadmills.
It seems that more people are swimming too because the signs warning against leaving items in changing rooms are up again.
I am trying to talk dh in starting at a gym with me (we both need to start looking after ourselves) but have suggested we leave it til February or March.

Jeez you sound so bloody uptight. And yes I go to the gym, yoga & swim too.

I wonder if all the people in shopping centres/supermarkets/restaurants/pubs moan about all the extra annoying people clogging up their regular haunts in December, getting in the damned way !!!! Spoiler - no they don’t. 😳

@NewYearStillFat I’m a regular too and was back for the first time this year this morning and it was bloody awful!

Main issue was the number of young teens - it was like a bloody out of school club. Groups of 5/6 wee guys hogging the weights machines but just fannying around and shouting at each other/shoving each other.

And 3 young girls using all 3 rowing machines but when I say using, I mean using to sit on and take selfies! I eventually asked if they “were finished” so I could get on one.

The gym is offering a cheap membership for them but there’s just so many of them. But at least weekdays should be okay now they’re back at school.

I’d love our gym to have selfie spots rather than people taking up half the studio to shoot content. Yesterday there was a girl with a ring light and tripod, huffing at anyone else in the studio because they were ruining her shoot by making noise when working out. She wasn’t even working out - she was doing a ‘fit-check’!

lol they actually do! The regulars in our local pub were going off their nuts at the additional people coming in for drinks/a meal.

I find it a pain in January because the car park is often full. The gym itself being busier than usual doesn’t bother me. It never lasts beyond February.

Without those people, your gym membership would cost so much more.

I am a yoga teacher and I work in many gyms and studios. We should all be welcoming and encouraging to everyone who is new, both at this time of year and always. A society that collectively values health and wellness is good for all of us, not least because it may mean the NHS is less overwhelmed by some of the health issues that can accompany inactivity (both physical and mental health). If you feel people are not following the etiquette at your gym, try to kindly educate them but leave the frustration at the door. They probably feel uncomfortable and nervous if they are new.

It's the same every year OP. The majority of New Year, New Me people last until mid February. The occasional few will stay the course. Remember that you were one of those at some point, I certainly was! By Easter the gym will be back to normal.

A gym in my town has a 'posing room'

It's an empty room painted all black for the body builders and PTs etc to take photos and film content etc

At my gym there's loads of new young women dramatically dropping weights all the time and I find it really irritating

If you find your gym on Google maps and click on it, then scroll down it will show you how busy it is by time of day and also whether it is busier or quieter than usual at the current time. Works for most things to avoid the crowds.

There's literally someone on this thread talking about ice skating in December... so news flash, they moan too 🫢

Well if you're a regular gym goer you'd know it's always like this in January. It'll settle down.

Thanks @Zebedee999 issue is I'm reliant on kids clubs for childcare so can't pick when I go at the weekends. And DC enjoy the sports too.

Funny a friend was bemoaning this in December as he hates the January influx

You made me chuckle a bit OP - that you must have dry, straight hair ready for mum duties. I have clearly been failing at mum duties!

This happens every year, no?

I avoid the gym in January and work out in the park or at home.

They'll be gone in a few weeks, a few may stay on but they'll pick up on the gym etiquette

1. This should not suprise you. 2. To avoid this you just need to pay a lot more to go to a higher class of gym. This is what I do and accept the premium for the bliss of solitude and luxury every year.

The rowing machine situ sounds infuriating! It's when they just seem oblivious to everyone around them..!

@Bogginsthe3rd the gym is £140 for me, plus kids at I think £40 each pcm, it's not cheap.

Just because it happens at the hairdresser doesn't make it automatically okay. After a young relative got a serious scalp infection at the stylist and lost most of her hair, I've been skipping all styling services and even making them disinfect the "clean" comb in my presence.

Although that's not quite what I meant. I mean if I don't do it then it won't get done. I have work tomorrow and again, easier to straighten when I have chance than whilst also getting DC up for school.

So if I seem uptight. I am!