Onslaught of New Gym Members
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The gym at work is maybe slightly busier than usual, maybe an extra person or two. It helps to be a night-shifter, particularly when I go in to workout at 3 in the morning on a day off - I can pretend it's my own personal gym.
Hopefully it doesn't get busier, as there's only one shower.... 0 -
Things are so different here in Oaxaca Mexico where I live. There were no more people at the gym yesterday than there were pretty much any other day I've gone. In the U.S. people keep to themselves. Here, culturally, people are more social and interactive. Several hellos, a hug or 2 and at least a few hand slap/ fist bump (this is the Mexican guy thing, you slap hands and bump fists. It's the universal guy greeting). At first it took a little getting used to, but now it's pretty pleasant.
I don't think the whole "new years resolution" is a thing culturally. I'll have to ask some of my amigos.
This is definitely not just a thing that happens in Mexico (or Oaxaca). There are situations that I've been in in the US where that's a common way for men to greet each other.1 -
Things are so different here in Oaxaca Mexico where I live. There were no more people at the gym yesterday than there were pretty much any other day I've gone. In the U.S. people keep to themselves. Here, culturally, people are more social and interactive. Several hellos, a hug or 2 and at least a few hand slap/ fist bump (this is the Mexican guy thing, you slap hands and bump fists. It's the universal guy greeting). At first it took a little getting used to, but now it's pretty pleasant.
I don't think the whole "new years resolution" is a thing culturally. I'll have to ask some of my amigos.
This is definitely not just a thing that happens in Mexico (or Oaxaca). There are situations that I've been in in the US where that's a common way for men to greet each other.
I'm sure you are right but it is pretty ingrained here and other places I've visited in Mexico. Very much a guy cultural thing.0 -
Lol this whole thread is why I started at the gym in October of 2018. I didn’t want to part of the resolution group last January.
Noticing that most of the people who seem to be bothered by newbies enjoy feeling superior. I would think they would love the influx of new gym members, that way they can feel superior in person not just on-line!
I say this with no judgement since I’m kind of competitive and love showing newbies that I’m a beast. I do group training so we combine being super supportive and encouraging with pushing each other to go further.
If you show up and work hard, you’re in.6 -
I agree with the person talking about the crowds that show up. I tend to notixw that in the beginning of the year, there's longer waits for the equipment, a d often, they break down a lot more. Not to mention the lack of consideration (not regulars or newbies specific) to not clean up the equipment afterwards, including leaving Kleenex in the cup holders. So besides the crowds, the germs and broken equipment come as well.0
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But this time of year also means great deals on workout clothes and equipment.3
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I have to use the creche at the gym so I can go (have a 2 and 4 year old). I go to the gym on a Monday and friday and you can book the creche 8 days in advance which I do. Called last Sunday for tomorrow and hour after bookings had opened and couldn't get in. Thursday I called again am hour and a bit after bookings opened, could only get 1 hour instead of 2. Today I am ready to call as soon as it opens!0
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I have to use the creche at the gym so I can go (have a 2 and 4 year old). I go to the gym on a Monday and friday and you can book the creche 8 days in advance which I do. Called last Sunday for tomorrow and hour after bookings had opened and couldn't get in. Thursday I called again am hour and a bit after bookings opened, could only get 1 hour instead of 2. Today I am ready to call as soon as it opens!
What is a crèche? Daycare?0 -
I don't see that at all. They're mostly complaining about bad behavior, and you don't have to feel superior in order to do that. Heck, Planet Fitness bases its entire business model around criticizing what they perceive to be bad behavior.Noticing that most of the people who seem to be bothered by newbies enjoy feeling superior.
Well, can we agree that it takes a certain amount of judgment to judge that someone else enjoys feeling superior? I'm not saying that such judgment is wrong, but let's face it... it is ultimately a matter of judging what other people are doing, and that's not wrong.I say this with no judgement since I’m kind of competitive ....4 -
I don't see that at all. They're mostly complaining about bad behavior, and you don't have to feel superior in order to do that. Heck, Planet Fitness bases its entire business model around criticizing what they perceive to be bad behavior.Noticing that most of the people who seem to be bothered by newbies enjoy feeling superior.
Well, can we agree that it takes a certain amount of judgment to judge that someone else enjoys feeling superior? I'm not saying that such judgment is wrong, but let's face it... it is ultimately a matter of judging what other people are doing, and that's not wrong.I say this with no judgement since I’m kind of competitive ....
Yup, my complaint about people in general, not just newbies, would be the behaviour. If they don’t want people judging their behaviour then:
1. Clean up the equipment you use. Spray it down, wipe it, puts all plates and dumbbells back where they belong.
2. Don’t block equipment you are not actively using. Stand in front of, rest on, use as a table for your water bottle and sweater, or set up a huge circuit and refuse to let someone work in, etc
3. If you need help ask, but don’t expect other gym goers to become your trainer or to be happy about someone suddenly talking their ear off when they are just trying to get in and out.
I have seen so much of number 1 and 2 from regulars and trainers at my little gym and it sucks. Memberships stay low priced if we can clean up after ourselves, and members stay happier when using the gym is easy.3 -
Well, I was super hyped to go to the gym today after work for the first time in months and after reading this thread it really gives me anxiety and definitely doesn't encourage me to go.9
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Just remember everyone there, is just there to better their health as well. Focus on you. I assure you they are focusing on them.1
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FeliciaWinn wrote: »Well, I was super hyped to go to the gym today after work for the first time in months and after reading this thread it really gives me anxiety and definitely doesn't encourage me to go.
Don't let whiny people halt your momentum...
If you're there, and they're there, the only difference between you two is that one is a cry baby...
At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs...4 -
I used to be a new gym member so I'd like to think I'm very tolerant of new gym members. I live near a lot of 55 and over communities and the demographic where I live is around 60 average age (easily). No sign of increased members today at LA Fitness near me, the most crowded gym I've ever been to. I think once people reach a certain age, they pretty much know if they are going to stay healthy or have just given up.3
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I don't think that's fair. If a person is using the equipment all wrong -- lounging on it for long periods of time, for example -- then I can't blame other people for getting annoyed.Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »If you're there, and they're there, the only difference between you two is that one is a cry baby...
At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs...
Curling in the squat rack is a perfect example. Could other gym habitues "figure something else out"? Perhaps, but this would require settling for a greatly inferior alternative to the barbell squat. I wouldn't blame them at all for feeling frustrated.
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Theoldguy1 wrote: »Where I'm at it's not the noobies it's the damn trainers that set people up in front of dumbbell/kettlebell racks, on the prowler track, etc.
Yup. I just had an introductory trainer session at the new gym, and she suggested we work on my squatting technique and check any new equipment my old gyms haven’t had that I’m new to. So, she put all our stuff in front of a squat rack and even said we’ll ”reserve” it, then took me to warm up in a different area, then proceeded to instruct all kinds of stuff in front of the squat rack. We never even did the squats. Just one of the reasons I will NOT be purchasing any sessions from her and will continue training with my old trainer, even though he works in a different gym that I only go to for his sessions.
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I used to be a January newbie!!
And now in going back after a month off in January 😂
Like everyone else has said, try and go on days/times when it will be less busy and by February it might be less busy x1 -
Given that no-one* was born in the gym, everyone was new once.
*I await the onslaught of stories about babies born in gyms
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I don't think that's fair. If a person is using the equipment all wrong -- lounging on it for long periods of time, for example -- then I can't blame other people for getting annoyed.Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »If you're there, and they're there, the only difference between you two is that one is a cry baby...
At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs...
Curling in the squat rack is a perfect example. Could other gym habitues "figure something else out"? Perhaps, but this would require settling for a greatly inferior alternative to the barbell squat. I wouldn't blame them at all for feeling frustrated.
Yeah but you see what you did here, you completely reframed the discussion under the assumption that all gym noobies have poor gym etiquette...
We all know that frequent gym goers can have their own poor etiquette as well...
Be kind... These people are just trying to better themselves...
Maybe next time you're a noob somewhere, there will be a gym noob who's familiar helping you out...4 -
Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »
I don't think that's fair. If a person is using the equipment all wrong -- lounging on it for long periods of time, for example -- then I can't blame other people for getting annoyed.Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »If you're there, and they're there, the only difference between you two is that one is a cry baby...
At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs...
Curling in the squat rack is a perfect example. Could other gym habitues "figure something else out"? Perhaps, but this would require settling for a greatly inferior alternative to the barbell squat. I wouldn't blame them at all for feeling frustrated.
Yeah but you see what you did here, you completely reframed the discussion under the assumption that all gym noobies have poor gym etiquette...
No, I didn't. In fact, I said absolutely nothing about newbies.
I was addressing the following specific claim:"At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs..."
My point is that it's not necessarily unreasonable for someone to complain about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment. It most certainly does NOT mean that such a person is "the one who least belongs."6 -
For sure. Yesterday I was on the elliptical and there were 2 newbies next to me. Thy had no idea what they were doing. One of them almost killed herself trying to enter her data on the machine. I was able to show her how to use it. They were on about 5 minutes and gave up. in a month they will all be gone.2
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Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »
I don't think that's fair. If a person is using the equipment all wrong -- lounging on it for long periods of time, for example -- then I can't blame other people for getting annoyed.Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »If you're there, and they're there, the only difference between you two is that one is a cry baby...
At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs...
Curling in the squat rack is a perfect example. Could other gym habitues "figure something else out"? Perhaps, but this would require settling for a greatly inferior alternative to the barbell squat. I wouldn't blame them at all for feeling frustrated.
Yeah but you see what you did here, you completely reframed the discussion under the assumption that all gym noobies have poor gym etiquette...
No, I didn't. In fact, I said absolutely nothing about newbies.
I was addressing the following specific claim:"At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs..."
My point is that it's not necessarily unreasonable for someone to complain about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment. It most certainly does NOT mean that such a person is "the one who least belongs."
So then just who were you referring to?
Because this discussion is about gym noobies, is it not?
You can't go on this little tirade about gym noobies not using equipment properly and then backtrack once it no longer serves your argument2 -
Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »
I don't think that's fair. If a person is using the equipment all wrong -- lounging on it for long periods of time, for example -- then I can't blame other people for getting annoyed.Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »If you're there, and they're there, the only difference between you two is that one is a cry baby...
At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs...
Curling in the squat rack is a perfect example. Could other gym habitues "figure something else out"? Perhaps, but this would require settling for a greatly inferior alternative to the barbell squat. I wouldn't blame them at all for feeling frustrated.
Yeah but you see what you did here, you completely reframed the discussion under the assumption that all gym noobies have poor gym etiquette...
No, I didn't. In fact, I said absolutely nothing about newbies.
I was addressing the following specific claim:"At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs..."
My point is that it's not necessarily unreasonable for someone to complain about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment. It most certainly does NOT mean that such a person is "the one who least belongs."
So then just who were you referring to?
Because this discussion is about gym noobies, is it not?
As I said, I was addressing the statement that you made. Let me quote it again for your benefit and convenience."At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs..."
That statement draws no distinction between newbies and veterans... and neither do I. In other words, my objection applies regardless of how long somebody has been going to the gym. It applies to everyone.
And as I said in the post that you responded to, I said nothing about "noobies." The truth or falsehood of your statement is not contingent on whether somebody is a newbie or not.You can't go on this little tirade about gym noobies not using equipment properly and then backtrack once it no longer serves your argument
I have pointed this out twice in a row now. Perhaps we can save some time if you tell me how many times it should be explained before you realize that I didn't say a single thing about newbies. Or that the veracity of that statement isn't dependent on how long somebody has been working out.
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Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »
I don't think that's fair. If a person is using the equipment all wrong -- lounging on it for long periods of time, for example -- then I can't blame other people for getting annoyed.Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »If you're there, and they're there, the only difference between you two is that one is a cry baby...
At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs...
Curling in the squat rack is a perfect example. Could other gym habitues "figure something else out"? Perhaps, but this would require settling for a greatly inferior alternative to the barbell squat. I wouldn't blame them at all for feeling frustrated.
Yeah but you see what you did here, you completely reframed the discussion under the assumption that all gym noobies have poor gym etiquette...
No, I didn't. In fact, I said absolutely nothing about newbies.
I was addressing the following specific claim:"At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs..."
My point is that it's not necessarily unreasonable for someone to complain about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment. It most certainly does NOT mean that such a person is "the one who least belongs."
So then just who were you referring to?
Because this discussion is about gym noobies, is it not?
As I said, I was addressing the statement that you made. Let me quote it again for your benefit and convenience."At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs..."
That statement draws no distinction between newbies and veterans... and neither do I. In other words, my objection applies regardless of how long somebody has been going to the gym. It applies to everyone.
And as I said in the post that you responded to, I said nothing about "noobies." The truth or falsehood of your statement is not contingent on whether somebody is a newbie or not.You can't go on this little tirade about gym noobies not using equipment properly and then backtrack once it no longer serves your argument
I have pointed this out twice in a row now. Perhaps we can save some time if you tell me how many times it should be explained before you realize that I didn't say a single thing about newbies. Or that the veracity of that statement isn't dependent on how long somebody has been working out.
OK great then... I'm glad we can both agree that the problem is not gym noobies, but rather inconsiderate people with poor gym etiquette...
Bless the noobies, and let's all make them feel welcome... We were all noobies somewhere at some point in our lives... ✌🏼💕4 -
debrakgoogins wrote: »Yay for keeping my gym in business another year!
This right here.1 -
Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »
I don't think that's fair. If a person is using the equipment all wrong -- lounging on it for long periods of time, for example -- then I can't blame other people for getting annoyed.Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »If you're there, and they're there, the only difference between you two is that one is a cry baby...
At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs...
Curling in the squat rack is a perfect example. Could other gym habitues "figure something else out"? Perhaps, but this would require settling for a greatly inferior alternative to the barbell squat. I wouldn't blame them at all for feeling frustrated.
Yeah but you see what you did here, you completely reframed the discussion under the assumption that all gym noobies have poor gym etiquette...
No, I didn't. In fact, I said absolutely nothing about newbies.
I was addressing the following specific claim:"At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs..."
My point is that it's not necessarily unreasonable for someone to complain about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment. It most certainly does NOT mean that such a person is "the one who least belongs."
So then just who were you referring to?
Because this discussion is about gym noobies, is it not?
As I said, I was addressing the statement that you made. Let me quote it again for your benefit and convenience."At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs..."
That statement draws no distinction between newbies and veterans... and neither do I. In other words, my objection applies regardless of how long somebody has been going to the gym. It applies to everyone.
And as I said in the post that you responded to, I said nothing about "noobies." The truth or falsehood of your statement is not contingent on whether somebody is a newbie or not.You can't go on this little tirade about gym noobies not using equipment properly and then backtrack once it no longer serves your argument
I have pointed this out twice in a row now. Perhaps we can save some time if you tell me how many times it should be explained before you realize that I didn't say a single thing about newbies. Or that the veracity of that statement isn't dependent on how long somebody has been working out.
OK great then... I'm glad we can both agree that the problem is not gym noobies, but rather inconsiderate people with poor gym etiquette...
Bless the noobies, and let's all make them feel welcome... We were all noobies somewhere at some point in our lives... ✌🏼💕
Can we also agree that it's wrong to say that "the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs"? Often that person has a legitimate reason to complain. That is the point I was making, after all.2 -
I welcome new people to the gym...What I don't like is the lack of gym etiquette that is pervasive this time of year. Large numbers of people milling around, not actually working out. People just staring. Camping on machines and texting. Not reracking weights. Plus, my personal favorite, people loading down the leg press with every plate they can find, only to move it a few inches.2
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timetolosethatweight wrote: »debrakgoogins wrote: »Yay for keeping my gym in business another year!
This right here.
Yes! The surge of newbies in the gym means fresh revenue streams that keep my membership fees from increasing.
The crowds are a little bothersome but they usually go away by the end of February.3 -
Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »
I don't think that's fair. If a person is using the equipment all wrong -- lounging on it for long periods of time, for example -- then I can't blame other people for getting annoyed.Mr_Healthy_Habits wrote: »If you're there, and they're there, the only difference between you two is that one is a cry baby...
At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs...
Curling in the squat rack is a perfect example. Could other gym habitues "figure something else out"? Perhaps, but this would require settling for a greatly inferior alternative to the barbell squat. I wouldn't blame them at all for feeling frustrated.
Yeah but you see what you did here, you completely reframed the discussion under the assumption that all gym noobies have poor gym etiquette...
No, I didn't. In fact, I said absolutely nothing about newbies.
I was addressing the following specific claim:"At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs..."
My point is that it's not necessarily unreasonable for someone to complain about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment. It most certainly does NOT mean that such a person is "the one who least belongs."
So then just who were you referring to?
Because this discussion is about gym noobies, is it not?
As I said, I was addressing the statement that you made. Let me quote it again for your benefit and convenience."At the end of the day, the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs..."
That statement draws no distinction between newbies and veterans... and neither do I. In other words, my objection applies regardless of how long somebody has been going to the gym. It applies to everyone.
And as I said in the post that you responded to, I said nothing about "noobies." The truth or falsehood of your statement is not contingent on whether somebody is a newbie or not.You can't go on this little tirade about gym noobies not using equipment properly and then backtrack once it no longer serves your argument
I have pointed this out twice in a row now. Perhaps we can save some time if you tell me how many times it should be explained before you realize that I didn't say a single thing about newbies. Or that the veracity of that statement isn't dependent on how long somebody has been working out.
OK great then... I'm glad we can both agree that the problem is not gym noobies, but rather inconsiderate people with poor gym etiquette...
Bless the noobies, and let's all make them feel welcome... We were all noobies somewhere at some point in our lives... ✌🏼💕
Can we also agree that it's wrong to say that "the person who cries the loudest about not being able to use a certain piece of equipment and can't figure something else out... Is the one who least belongs"? Often that person has a legitimate reason to complain. That is the point I was making, after all.
We can agree to disagree 😂...
How about that
I'm going to stand by that statement
But I will agree with you that people who lay about the equipment and are unwilling to share it are part of the problem
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This discussion has been closed.
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