Noob season at the gym already?

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?
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Replies

  • ubermensch13
    ubermensch13 Posts: 824 Member
    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
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    I'm noticing it.
  • mltdown
    mltdown Posts: 311 Member
    I love how they stand around looking for direction. I'm like there's a treadmill turn it on! Lol
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    Holidays, New Years resolutions, it tends to thin about by February though as people loose motivation.
  • AverageUkDude
    AverageUkDude Posts: 371 Member
    Thread made me lol, I was talking about this today with my instructor. At least there trying, some may even stick it out.
  • StaceyJ2008
    StaceyJ2008 Posts: 411 Member
    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
    FITnFIRM4LIFE Posts: 818 Member
    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
    msrootitooti Posts: 253 Member
    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
    1Fizzle Posts: 241 Member
    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
    sunsnstatheart Posts: 2,544 Member
    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
    perfectingpatti Posts: 1,037 Member
    We said the same thing at our gym last night. It's nice to see new faces there!
  • MissTattoo
    MissTattoo Posts: 1,203 Member
    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
    MdmAcolyte Posts: 382 Member
    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
    skeo Posts: 471 Member
    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
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    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
    Denise1224 Posts: 150 Member
    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
    Simona40 Posts: 50 Member
    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
    elpiper Posts: 183 Member
    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. <3
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    I noticed the same thing at my Y. The "Resolution" crowd started a month early. :)
  • 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
    Zalovar Posts: 92 Member
    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
    Crankstr Posts: 3,958 Member
    we are cool as long as they dont curl in the squat rack:angry:
  • letjog
    letjog Posts: 260 Member
    it's actually quiet at my gym at the moment!
  • Brunner26_2
    Brunner26_2 Posts: 1,152
    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
    BeingAwesome247 Posts: 1,171 Member
    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
    Maidofmer Posts: 908 Member
    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_
    _Wits_ Posts: 1,286 Member
    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
    SinCity2003 Posts: 163 Member
    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
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    Welcome them in - you were as useless as they were first times in - oh yes you were!
  • 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.
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