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 think gyms should have staff in the gym area at this time of year to point out equipment etiquette.

Don’t worry…half f them will be back on the sofa by the end of the month.

Same at the gym i go today.

Ive been going Tues through to sunday, weights running and sauna.

Since new year, treadmills are all taken. Im finding the cable weight attachment are dumped in places and the saunas at full or more capacity.

Never seen it so busy. I asked reception if they have a influx of new joiners since 1st and she said yeah.....its been super busy.

Im hoping by Feb, it will go back to normal, as i found it stressful

The gym was full of the new year new me hoards today. It’s annoying as a regular as they book up the classes and stand in my usual spot in said classes. But I just console myself with the fact they’ll be gone by the end of feb and normal service will resume 😂.

@VickyEadieofThigh I've seen people bare foot!

@sometimesmovingforwards don't get me wrong, I'm fluffy round the edges and love a bit of cake too!

I have a friend who is a professional research psychologist and has a number of theories about performative gym grunting. I always tell him he needs to get a study underway already. 😁

Gym staff rarely intervene and enforce the etiquette guidelines.

I remember visiting a few Pure Gym branches with my friend a few years ago and hated every minute. The gyms were dark and smelly, had old equipment, and dirty showers.

Regarding workout attire, I have seen guys lifting weights in flip-flops and tight swim shorts and women wearing bikini tops resembling napkins and stripper heels. One woman even had a tripod to record her workout. I don't judge; they both looked great!

Yeah but for me it’s not so much that they are using the gym and it’s busier than usual, it’s that they are using it like a youth club.

I don’t care how busy it is with people working out - but people taking up all the machines to just sit on and have a gab/take selfies is massively taking the piss.

@DreadPirateRobots please share the theories 🤣

@NewYearStillFat
I feel your pain. I'm a regular swimmer, my normal sessions are full of idiots at the moment. I'm not fit or fast but I usually swim in the fast lane because I do front crawl. 11 months of the year I happily co exist with faster swimmers but this month our lane is being derailed by the bloody breaststroke merchants. Please if you aren't Adam Peaty go in the middle bloody lane.
How anyone can lack the self awareness to think they can swim in the fast lane when they clearly can't is just crazy town!
And it's not just men!

@Cunningfungus exactly! Like the girl who had 2 sets of dumbbells and 2x sides of cable machine... WTH

Not judging! But you know the look I mean?
Although another pet hate is the people that occupy the treadmills at walking pace to have conversations. They seem to be a January thing...

What's wrong with going walking pace on the treadmill? Is there a minimum speed requirement in your head??

It's this kind of bullshit that maybe makes people not stay at the gym past January...

I supposed the nits will be fried.

On the topic of working out, what is everyone wearing to the gym? I own a few pieces from Varley and am eyeing something else!

https://uk.varley.com/products/move-pocket-legging-high-25?variant=41414332612723

It's so annoying. There's also something disloyal about the gyms pushing it. The PTs are doing cheaper offers for new members, there's no joining fees all month. It's like even the gym is conspiring against us.

Having a member of staff on the gym floor tidying away weights and as a general presence on the floor I think would help enormously.

Although last year I remember a member asking a "quick question" to the PT I was literally in a session with and being offended when she said I'll come see you when I'm done with this client!

Theory number one is that grunting is proportional to proximity of women. He is firmly of the view that the grunting is for women's benefit. Other characteristics and correlates of grunting require research to establish.

I walk on treadmills too - I have an injury hence I got into resistance training!

@DreadPirateRobots I'm going to keep this in mind to see if, anecdotally I agree. DH is convinced it's for attention. He managed to body build with no grunting at all..!

My gym is heaving atm, I’m polite and friendly to anyone, new or old. However the strangest thing I saw last week was three young women wearing their gym clothes in the sauna after a workout, admittedly the bra and scrunch bum shorts variety & they hadn’t showered.
That’s the lack of etiquette that annoys me from newbies.

I’ve been going to gyms on and off for over 20 years. It’s the same every year, it ll be back to normal by mid Feb

January is always a nightmare, just hold on in there as it will soon go back to normal. To avoid the chaos, I've taken to going super early in the mornings to avoid the evening rush, its so much quieter.

Most people give up New Year resolutions. I imagine it will only be a few weeks before a lot of people stop going along.

That's what I was thinking. 😂I know it's been a long time since I last troubled a gym, but blimey, things have come on.

I’ve worked out alone for years, I’m not on a new year health kick but I joined the gym thinking it would be good to try new exercises. I was going to go tonight but to be honest this has put me off, if this is how people feel and how they are judging the new people in the gym.