Noob season at the gym already?

I work at a university and go to their gym. These next few weeks are my favorite time at the gym because most of the students are away for break. But when they come back, the gym will be total chaos for about a month and a half because of the students coming back, plus the New Year's Resolutioners. I try to suck it up and run outside in the mornings during that time.

I am not really a noob, but I just started going to the gym again because of the cold rainy weather we are having. I was jogging outside up until last week. I have had my membership for a while, but notice that I go more to the gym from December to February and exercise more at home and outside at other times of the year.

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.

Add me to the list of people that think this in an AWESOME comment !

People were saying the same thing about you at the end of 2011. No, seriously...........

I save my ire for the guy who has been going for a while and decides to do curls in the squat rack. Newbies. I've seen one in the last month and we've chatted a bit....he's doing squats and deadlifts so he's not new to exercising.

Some of it maybe long time members who have different schedule for the Holidays and are going at different times. I know next week I'm going at 9am...not 5am.

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.

^^^ this. i wish more people were like this. I admit that i have felt very intimidated. I'm trying get a feel for this and learn as i go along. it would be nice if more people were helpful instead of giving you dirty looks all the time.

Hey, I started going to the gym pretty well every single day since January 2nd. On the first, I went to a Patriots game and the climb up to the 400s almost killed me. That was it, I was getting in shape. It was my resolution anyway but having the stadium kick my *kitten* made damn sure I was going to not be one of those people who go for 3 weeks and give up.

Since January 2nd, if I haven't been to the gym it's because I'm running OUTSIDE or using my Kinect fitness game because I don't want to leave the house in the cold/rain/whatever.

Today is free cupcake day at PF. I'll make sure I go LATE LATE LATE so I don't trip over people just there for the free cupcakes. It's why I go LATE LATE LATE on the first monday of the month (Free Pizza) or go running instead of to the gym.

Sadly it's winter and I'm in NH so running outside isn't going to be fun.

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.

^ This is why I joined a gym. I normally would run outside, but with my work schedule as it is now and living in Wisconsin, I had to join. I sat around for a little bit like...how do I work these machines??

...But it also took me about a month to figure out how to do phone calls on my Android phone too. Me and buttons.....

I have been a gym member for many years. But since relocating 2 1/2 years ago, I haven't been. I have been contemplating re-joining one around here (and starting up NROLFW). And of course, it would take me a few visits to get situated/comfortable with the new gym & fall back into my routine.. especially a NEW routine if I'm going to start NROLFW.
But based on this post, especially the "don't know how to turn on a treadmill" comment, maybe I'll wait til after "noob season.. geesh :huh:

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.

totally love this.

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!

We seem to forget that we where noob's at some point and we probably started at a gym around this time of the year.

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.

Well said, I think I'll do just that... and also make a new year's resolution to meet the people I have been working out next to this year. I'll leave the headphones at home for a while and start saying hello to people.

I totally noticed it. I went in on Thanksgiving and it was PACKED! I guess everyone was trying to burn those extra calories before stuffing their faces...I know I was!

You have been going to the gym for a little over 52 weeks and now it's time to pat yourself on the back... Every year, you get these same posts from people who think they are doing something special. You act like this is something hard. It's just going to the gym. You know that facility that is open to all paid members? You're not special at all.

I can't stand gym elitist.

The really fit guys are the ones I see supporting the new gym members the most. Willing to venture a guess that you're one of those types. Gyms could use more of you.

Agree. I will never forget a few years ago my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I decided that I wanted to do the Susan G. Komen 5k. I had never run before and started training just a few weeks before the run. I wanted to challenge myself instead of doing the walk. I will never forget overhearing a guy complaining to his friend about how people were running so slow or stopping to walk. "Geez, its only like 2 miles." It really hurt me. I was trying to do something out of love and to get in shape and here he is criticizing. At the end of the race, however, the "professional' runners were there cheering us on. I will never forget the super fit woman telling me to come on that I could do this in under 30 mins and that she was proud of his. I was so happy.

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! Last April I was new at the gym.....and embarrased to be at my highest weight.....and scared of all the machines and the people with those amazing bodies that already know what they are doing. I took the offer for the trainer sessions and did once a month for 3 three months. They showed me a routine to last me a month. During the rest of the month when I was working solo, I was very relieved to find that most of the members of my gym are willing to help out others. I asked some of the "regulars" questions when I was confused with a machine and they were usually more than willing to help. Now, I am 7 months strong, 36 lbs down, 4 clothing sizes down and receiving compliments from random people about my dedication and making the change. I will tell you this -- I could NOT have done it if the people at my gym acted like jerks because I was new. I was already terrified of being the fat one there and getting looks.... Shout out to Club Fitness members, they are the best around!