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.

I work at a university and go to the university gym. We get two of these periods, the January rush, and then again in September when the new academic year starts. On the upside, it's pretty quiet 6 months of the year when students either have exams or are home for the holidays.

Everyone has to start somewhere, and gyms need new members to avoid price hikes for existing members. Think of it as your payment for a quieter gym come March, plus lower membership costs.

@dynamiccactus 😂Me neither but I’m glad I came on this thread to read the straightener madness! I’m off to buy a Haz-Mat suit to wear before I use mine again!

What I hate more at the gym are the grunters. You all know who I mean, meaty, muscly men who have to make a big performance of everything.

Remember as well that last week was probably busier as some people won't have been able to exercise as they usually would due to the weather.

At my gym (JD) there are loads of treadmills and they are rarely every all in use at one time. Last week - all in use constantly with people waiting to get on. I can only assume it's because it was difficult for some people to get out for their usual walk/run after work.

Absolutely but I'm talking paying even more, for more exclusivity. We pay closer to £240pp/cm and you just don't get the Jan chaos and instead you get a lovely Himalayan salt steam room to sweat away your Jan blues.

Yes! And those slamming weights. I was sat opposite someone doing lat pull downs - I was on the seated row last week. There was two of them taking turns and slamming the weights after every set - it literally shook the floor!

DH was a body builder and we always say about the grunters. Imagine how noisy they must be in bed 🤣. Reminds me of when I was giving birth and the midwife said put more effort into pushing and less into talking - always tempted to offer that advice!

@Bogginsthe3rd I don't believe there is a more expensive gym locally to me.

Yes, selfie spots for those with the need to take selfies so they don’t compromise everyone else’s privacy and plaster a picture across the internet with someone semi naked/mid change in the background, or worse actively take pictures of other gym goers to mock online…

Similar: I dislike the ones who loudly drop or slam weights. It's completely unnecessary and hard on the equipment, in addition to being noisy and obnoxiously attention seeking.

New Year OP.
YANBU.
Loads of brand new lycra, blindingly white trainers, five gallon water bottles and blokes with protein shakers.
They drop off in February, and most are gone by the Ides of March.

I think people go to the gym more in January and February because it is difficult to exercise outside. Running and cycling can be quite dangerous if it is icy. If they signed up for a year but don't go much when it is warmer they are subsiding you so don't complain.

Straighteners heat up to around 200c - nothing is living on them!

Bloody Hell, mine's less than a tenth of that! 😂

Saying that is isn't posh, the changing rooms are just changing rooms (?) and the toilets leave a lot to be desired. But it's always half full, which I love as I hate training in an empty gym, and does me fine 💪

Try being a swimmer 😆

There is a certain type of man who absolutely cannot cope with the fact that a woman can swim better than him. Of course I can swim better than an untrained man, just like a trained man or indeed a trained woman in current competition shape can swim much much better than me.

Learn the rules of the lane and cope.

My gym has been absolutely heaving but everyone seems to be behaving themselves, I’ve not seen any etiquette breaches yet! It will be nice and quiet again in a few weeks then crazy busy again in June as everyone decides to get toned for the beach. The gym have started to put extra classes on for the demand which is great because it gives me more choice.

Well firstly they are paying fees like you so so I’m not sure you can complain about the busyness or chaos. Secondly, I would guess that those who pay in the new year bring a lot of money into the gym bringing benefits to the regulars that you may not have had otherwise. Gym etiquette isn’t limited to newbies. Regulars also suffer with missing this etiquette too.

Sound basically you don’t like all the new people because you liked it quiet and are now just complaining.

To be fair I got a load of new gymshark stuff and trainers for Christmas but have been a long term gym goer. Don’t judge us all by our new Lycra!

If they did that they would have to raise prices by a huge amount. At the end of the day they are a business.

I used to work out at the Third Space gym in Tower Bridge (£250 membership), which got somewhat busier from January to mid-February. Do you have room for a Peloton? While it doesn't replace the gym, it's a great workout.

My gym is just the same. They have notices up in small writing with etiquette but it really needs the staff to remind people.

One thing that I find remarkable is that the notice says clearly that members must wear "suitable shoes". I've seen people recently using treadmills wearing Crocs and boots!

I hate these posts. Every year. Entitled
“regular” gym goers sneering at the newbies.

They pay their subs too you know!

I bought my own treadmill and rowing machine for this reason, I'm impatient and can stand waiting 🤣.

To be fair, it's a thing for a lot of younger people, and if it helps keep people motivated then...surely the snobbery and eye-rolling is just unhelpful demeaning bollocks.

Yup same every year. Place always fills up with overweight triers, but most will give up and be back on the cake by Easter. Which is good for the rest of us as they’re be more room and machines available.