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've often thought that. Also if other men who are grunting/roaring then everyone has to compete. Who can roar the loudest? Lifting the heaviest weight for 1 or 2 reps then ROOOAAAR!!! and dropping the weight so everyone knows how heavy it was. Has to have a mate who eggs/urges him on. Rinse/repeat. Cue some time chatting shit, looking at phone then back to grunting.

My gym was the same last week. There was some annoying behaviour. There was also some nice behaviour, new members being helped by regular members.

Never seen communal straighteners, though, just hairdryers. Must be a much posher gym than mine. 😅

Whatever's in my wardrobe. My favourite running leggings are reebok from about 4 years ago. Favourite running/,gym shorts are Nike 2 in 1s.
Quite like an asda capri pant for gym classes.
T shirts:primark/asda thin sport ones
Vests: got some ancient under armour ones but generally anything that's light
Sports bra: shock absorber.
Runners: mizuno.
Gym trainers: dead runners

Thats how the americans use the sauna.....fully clothed in there workout gear......thats normal there. But not here in the uk

I’m understanding of newbies but not selfish people using multiple pieces of equipment at the same time. There’s no need.

It's always the same. I go swimming several times a week, but won't even touch the place for the first two weeks in January. By mid Feb it's completely back to normal, but those first couple of weeks are mayhem.

You can't blame people for wanting to make a change, and they have every right to sign up and go, obviously - but it will get back to normal very soon!

Totally with you OP. It's making me so angry that my usual relaxation time isn't doing me any good at all!! Let's just hope all the newbies on their NY health kick get fed up very soon...

I love gym king and gym shark, both good quality and the leggings stay up while you work out instead of rolling down all the bloody time. Plus they do good sports bras with lots of different support levels

Thanks OP, you've just reminded me to sign up to the gym. Sorry, local regular gym goes!

I am at the gym everyday at 6am. Have seen a few new people. But not many. Especially in this weather. The thing that has stood out is that they stare at u. I suppose watching what ur doing to get tips. But please don’t stare. I’m working my arse off. I don’t need u staring at me.

other than that it hasn’t been too bad. Mostly I think because our gym did a ton of beginners classes for people to sign up to. Also my gym is fairly expensive so I think that puts people off.
seen a few people on the equipment on their phones the entire time. Not sure why u would bother if ur just going to stare at ur phone. What a pointless waste of time and money.

We built a gym in an insulated timber building at the bottom of the garden, over a decade ago. It has a good quality elliptical, a Concept 2 rower, a power rack, free weights and a big TV. I use it every day. It must have more than paid for itself, compared with gym fees/car journey costs over the same period.

Obviously, it's not an option for many people, but worth considering if you have the space and the means.

Agreed. I'm not a gym goer anymore but when I was I hated January, Feb was slightly better and I found by mid feb most new years resolutioners had dropped out and the gym was much better again.

That's what has made me resentful today. My two hours on a Sunday morning are usually workout, leisurely shower and sit in the cafe before I get the kids and resume real life. DH works away and I'm a working Mum with kids so that time is so precious. I pay an absolute fortune for that time alone too.

I said to DH I'd like to do that. Only thing is I work from home, DH works away, I'd become a total recluse!

Could you go running for a month. People trying to keep fit is a good thing over all

I'm not judging anyone for being in the gym or working out. I'm judging them for hogging equipment and being inconsiderate.

I once was in my gym's sauna - it was in the women's changing room, so you could go in naked with a towel (the proper way!) and a young girl came in in full workout gear - including trainers!!! No shower beforehand. I said to her that it was usual and polite to shower before a sauna and wear a swimsuit or go naked.

I later saw her checking this at the reception desk - as if I weren't correct and she had to check. I told the trainer at the desk what had happened; he said she'd been asking about sauna use. That was such a basic level of ignorance - but even more, a lack of common sense, I was flabbergasted.

January last year was what stopped me going to the gym altogether - it wasn't so much the overcrowding, even the behaviour of the regular gym wankers (like a father and son duo where the dad would make the kid sit on the next piece of equipment he was going to want to use and scroll his phone) or the lads going around in packs... it was the new users who were judgemental and rude toward me as a very overweight woman who had been going for a fair period of time and just treated me like a freak show meaning I was so bloody worried of being the next "fatty in the gym" photo to go viral.

I've not got back into the habit since.

I actually just rejoined my gym(after my post) because of this thread, when I go on Tuesday I doubt anyone will recognise me it's been 6 months since I last went. I'll be stared at like I'm a new year gym goer I'm sure, then stop to chat to my old instructor like old times. God knows where I'll start and what I'll do.

But I remember from last January how hideous it was, even as a regular gym goer, just because I'm not stick thin some of the new slimmer women were giving me looks of pity and disgust.

@LittleBigHead I suppose atleast she made the effort to verify what you've said and hopefully changed her ways.

How would anyone know you're new? Surely you'll fit right in??

I wish! I ran long distance for years but switched to the gym as now have a hip injury.

Workout at home for a bit

@DreadPirateRobots (great username btw - one of my favourite films) tell your psychologist friend to get the study underway immediately!

But I remember from last January how hideous it was, even as a regular gym goer, just because I'm not stick thin some of the new slimmer women were giving me looks of pity and disgust.

I'm a seasoned gym-goer and work hards. But I might sometimes be guilty of staring, because I'm constantly amazed at what other people can do! Although they are generally not the stick thin gym bunnies pouting on the treadmill for their Insta feeds. If I stare at anyone, it's because I think they're amazing! not because they're not stick thin.

But rest assured @XxSideshowAuntSallyx I'm usually being beasted by my PT or a class instructor, or the online programme I use, too much so to worry about other gym users. I can barely breathe at the end of a set of fast echo bike (assault bike) SkiErg intervals, or a really heavy sled run.

Just ignore the gym bunnies. If they have time to stare at you like that, they're not working hard enough!!