Think about joining a gym in Jan? Think about it

[noggla]

https://palife.co.uk/news/workplace-wellbeing/brits-waste-503-million-on-unused-gym-memberships-in-2025/

Also people who join gyms in other months are more likely to use the gym more.

Also from my experience of Slimming World and Weight Watchers, huge numbers sign up in January then I probably saw about 3 people after mid Feb.

People give up to easily. Time and patience are key to lose weight, gain muscle etc. Some people think 6 weeks will shift 2 stone. Only people who are 20st plus probably lose this.

Half a billion £s wasted in gym memberships

It's the same every year. The gyms probably make more money off people not using membership than those who go!

Yes it maybe the same every year but what’s the issue. If 50% or 25% of people stick to it then it’s better than them not starting. Just because the gym is a bit busier for a month then so what, everyone in there started at one point, same with slimming world if those 3 people stuck to it amazing doesn’t matter about those who don’t come back, mentally they aren’t just there yet

Ive learned the hard way never to go for the 12 month memberships. Its like a stupidity tax for me.

The gym I go to doesn’t allow people to sign up in January (unless referred by their doctor), which also means the gym isn’t overly full in January so thats nice.

I am surprised it is only £500m to be honest. @Simonjt belongs to a gym that seems different from others.

Don't stop them!

It is because of these that sign up but don't go that I can afford my membership - without them it would be much more expensive.

So crack on and join 😂

My gym is always mental til Feb half term. I breathe deeply and thanks the lord that they subsidise my membership. Equally, I actually did first join the gym in a January - with a 3 month membership, having signed up for a 5k swim in the march and not having practiced for years... I'm still going, 7 years later. So I try not to make judgements because I did do the same thing!

Isn't this an accepted fact though? I don't think there's any "probably" about it.

I joined a gym on 27/12/2003…..ready to go in the January, there were the usual who were so closed off / mowing loudly about all the “January newbies”…..2 years on I am still there and love it, and try my best to welcome the new January members…….who cares if they only stick it at for a month / 6 weeks at least they tried.

Wow. Amazing

I see lots of new people join in January and I suspect one of the reasons people give up quite quickly is because it’s difficult to get on machines or book classes and they lose momentum. So I agree January is a bad time to join. I know the annual data and gym’s business model is predicated on people not using their membership.

YANBU in that people need to think about it properly before trapping themselves in expensive contracts. However, some will stick to it, so anyone mentally committed should still do it.

I join a gym every winter for 3-4 months as it is all wet and gloomy outside… so yes im going to disappear quickly..

Nothing wrong with people joining the gym in January it's their choice. Granted stupid if not used but nevertheless a choice.

I welcome the "new year, new me" people. I actively look forward to seeing them on their inductions with the gym staff. They're heavily subsidising the gym membership of those of us who were there on Christmas eve and between Christmas and New Year. The gyms will be quiet again by mid February.

That’s what I always think! I’m so happy people pay to use the gym but don’t actually go. It means it’s cheaper and quieter for me. January is really annoying but I’ll cope!

The only thing that annoys me is the ones that book onto classes and film them up but never turn up so the regulars loose a spot.

Our classes go live at 6.30 every night and are often full by ten o'clock anyway. If you cancel or don't turn up 3 times in a month then you get suspended for a week but it doesn't seem to put them off, just gives them an easy reason to not go to the gym.

It will be a pain that classes are full.
As the OP said, consistency is key, and I've trained throughout Christmas, twice on Christmas Eve and once on Christmas Day.
That said, good in anyone who wants to give it a go. They pay their money and have as much right to be there as anyone else. It's a difficult time of year to train, with dark, cold mornings, so hopefully motivation will see at least some through this until lighter mornings and habit kick in.

Nothing has made me prouder of myself than joining the gym and sticking with it 😂

I actually didn't notice an influx of people last January at the gym, but I did with swimming which is far more annoying and surprising that people are up at 6 in the cold. That obviously didn't last long.

We go 3 times a week, on the same day and same time and it's exactly the same group of people all the time. It seems to get busier through the summer here, I assume when people are trying to fit back into their holiday outfits.

Blimey that’s a first!!!!!!!!

Keeps the price down for the rest of us, we just have to do something else for a couple of weeks.

Happy with that

Jogging in residential areas!!

not always the most pleasant thing maybe - but can be good early n the morning just at daybreak ..

I am dreading the new years club turning up at the gym. The place is busy enough already.