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MyFitnessPal Community

Noob season at the gym already?

lilpoindexter

I've been going to the gym regularly since September 2011. It's the second December while I've been going to the gym.
I remember the crowds in January through about the middle of February, but this year, It's already packed a week before Xmas.

Has anyone noticed? What's going on?

Replies

ubermensch13

I've been going to a gym pretty regularly for the last 8 or 9 years, and I've always noticed a spike right after Thanksgiving....

SideSteel

I'm noticing it.

mltdown

I love how they stand around looking for direction. I'm like there's a treadmill turn it on! Lol

Cr01502

Holidays, New Years resolutions, it tends to thin about by February though as people loose motivation.

AverageUkDude

Thread made me lol, I was talking about this today with my instructor. At least there trying, some may even stick it out.

StaceyJ2008

I used to work at a gym and this happens. People want to try to look better before they see their families and sometimes women have new years eve plans. It's not usually new members, just the ones who have had a membership collecting dust for a while.

FITnFIRM4LIFE

People either want to start before the New year or after for New start..I notice more people after Thanksgiving too. But, we were all new at one point, And it is a great thing to join and get healthy! It is an even better thing To maintain and keep it up;-)

msrootitooti

I have noticed mine a little more crowded too.. but I go at night so I am assuming the cold and dark on moving people indoors. Plus we have a basketball court that has been getting pretty crowded.

1Fizzle

I've noticed too, and I am sure MFP will get an influx of newbies as well. To me this is a good thing! Will everyone stick with it, no, but we all have to start somewhere.

sunsnstatheart

How about picking out one of those noobs who looks particularly uncomfortable being there, and walking over and saying hi? It seems every day there is a post on here by someone afraid to hit the free weight area or even walk into a gym. Why don't we all be part of the solution to that and try to help rather than just being a d*ck.

perfectingpatti

We said the same thing at our gym last night. It's nice to see new faces there!

MissTattoo

Thread made me lol, I was talking about this today with my instructor. At least there trying, some may even stick it out.

This. At least they are there. You were a noob at one time too. Instead of staring at them, help them out. Encourage them to keep coming back.

MdmAcolyte

Ive been working out at home, but my new gym membership I got for Christmas (early gift) won't kick in until January. I'm not looking forward to getting the 3rd degree look from gym regulars, but I know its coming... You know, that "oh nice to see you, you wont last a month". Joke's on them though.

skeo

I've noticed too, and it does hinder a little bit, but A for effort for them starting. Hopefully many of them will stick it out.

TrailRunner61

Last year I decided that I wasn't going to be one of those people who would start working out on Jan. 1st then stop after a few weeks, so I started working out on Christmas Eve instead. I haven't stopped yet.

Maybe some of your noobs are doing just that? Or perhaps they paid for a membership last Jan and want to get back into it since it's colder, or they gained weight over Thanksgiving? Who knows? At least they want to be healthier! Encourage them!

Denise1224

Thread made me lol, I was talking about this today with my instructor. At least there trying, some may even stick it out.

^ This

This. At least they are there. You were a noob at one time too. Instead of staring at them, help them out. Encourage them to keep coming back.

And this too ^ ... everyone starts somewhere :-)

Simona40

I LOVE when the ladies at the gym ask me about the free weights and the squat rack. I encourage them to use it and add it to their routines. I guess Im in the minority. I love new peeps at the gym. I love seeing people there making an effort to get healthier. Im disappointed if they dont stick around.

elpiper

theres always going to be a noob somewhere. At least in this case they are working towards something of worth. Perhaps welcome them next time you see one? ask them about themselves. Build your gym's sense of community.

fishgutzy

I noticed the same thing at my Y. The "Resolution" crowd started a month early.

Seahawk27

How about picking out one of those noobs who looks particularly uncomfortable being there, and walking over and saying hi? It seems every day there is a post on here by someone afraid to hit the free weight area or even walk into a gym. Why don't we all be part of the solution to that and try to help rather than just being a d*ck.

LOVE this!

Zalovar

Thread made me lol, I was talking about this today with my instructor. At least there trying, some may even stick it out.

^ This

This. At least they are there. You were a noob at one time too. Instead of staring at them, help them out. Encourage them to keep coming back.

And this too ^ ... everyone starts somewhere :-)

Agreed. A gym can be an intimidating place for newbies - that may be part of the reason at least some of them quit after a few weeks. A little encouragement might actually make a huge difference to someone. Help em out! I know the crowding might inconvenience some of us but I tend to work harder when I work out if I see other people working hard too!

Crankstr

we are cool as long as they dont curl in the squat rack

letjog

it's actually quiet at my gym at the moment!

Brunner26_2

Good for them for trying. But if they don't stick it out, hopefully they don't cancel their memberships right away. Without the noob money, rates would go up for everyone else.

BeingAwesome247

How about picking out one of those noobs who looks particularly uncomfortable being there, and walking over and saying hi? It seems every day there is a post on here by someone afraid to hit the free weight area or even walk into a gym. Why don't we all be part of the solution to that and try to help rather than just being a d*ck.

LOVE this!

Awesome, just awesome
Love this

Maidofmer

How about picking out one of those noobs who looks particularly uncomfortable being there, and walking over and saying hi? It seems every day there is a post on here by someone afraid to hit the free weight area or even walk into a gym. Why don't we all be part of the solution to that and try to help rather than just being a d*ck.

you're awesome

_Wits_

Seems to me it is people looking for a change...hopefully they feel welcomed and confident enough to learn and stick with it...I remember being the "noob".

SinCity2003

This thread is one of the reasons why, at my new gym that I joined on December 8th, I am uncomfortable. I had to ask a question yesterday and felt like everyone was staring at me. It's a reason why I didn't join what I consider a real gym for a long time and now that I have, I don't want to ask any questions. We all start somewhere and, at least for me, I'll be sticking through it but I know some won't.

Yogi_Carl

Welcome them in - you were as useless as they were first times in - oh yes you were!

crissyrox

How about picking out one of those noobs who looks particularly uncomfortable being there, and walking over and saying hi? It seems every day there is a post on here by someone afraid to hit the free weight area or even walk into a gym. Why don't we all be part of the solution to that and try to help rather than just being a d*ck.

Great response! I was just thinking the same thing. Imagine how far a little kindness could go.