Regular gym goers - what do you think of newbies?

2

Replies

  • CorvusCorax77
    CorvusCorax77 Posts: 2,536 Member
    The volume of newbies can be annoying, but that soon dies down.

    With regards to overweight gym goers, I started out at my gym weighing in at 273 lbs, so hardly likely to turn to my nose up at any newbie making the change. I should imagine that there are lots of gym regulars who are now buff / fit etc, but haven't always been that way.

    Don't be intimidated by what what you imagine other gym goers are thinking of you, most of them are just caught up in their own work outs.

    Enjoy your new gym membership :flowerforyou:

    This is soooo true. Well said!

    I agree with this too. I think sometimes the folks who are looking at the overweight newbie are thinking to themselves "Oh man! I remember those days! My gains were awesome and the scale actually moved!!!" :)
  • I say, "Good for them". They're taking the step to better themselves, and that is awesome. Everyone was a "newbie" at some point. Whether it's the start of the New Year or the middle of summer. We all started from somewhere.
  • BeccaLevine
    BeccaLevine Posts: 315 Member
    Newbies don't bother me typically! With classes they can. I have taken a spin class at my gym almost every Saturday for a year, and the thing I find most annoying, is when someone who has never taken the class comes in late, needs help setting up their bike because they have never been...and makes us start the class 15 minutes late with all their questions...it's cool if your new but show up early to get help!
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    I don't really think much of anything about anyone else in the gym. Mostly I'm there trying to get un-fat, and that's all I can think about.
  • dare2love81
    dare2love81 Posts: 928 Member
    They won't, don't worry. Everyone had to start somewhere.
  • dantrick
    dantrick Posts: 369 Member
    If I see someone new I hope they keep coming, I will even help them when asked. However, I do secretly place a bet on how long they will stay. I have seen to many new people come and go not to.
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    All regulars were newbies at one point.

    Most people LOVE seeing anyone that comes to a gym and works hard, no matter what the look like.

    It is the ones that walk around in full hair and make up looking at the mirror ever 5 minutes like they are Paris Hilton that make me roll my eyes, but then again, what I think about someone else is really none of their concern, as what they think about me does not make a bit of difference in my life. Caring about what other people think did not get me sober or healthy.
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    I judge people who go to the gym and work out for less than 20 minutes, fat or thin. I mean really, what's the point of making the trip?

    Seriously? Do you know their story? Maybe they have a medical condition. Maybe they are that out of shape and are trying to build their endurance. And why would you judge? Are they hurting you or offending you? it is their money and their time...

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  • eatcleanNtraindirty
    eatcleanNtraindirty Posts: 444 Member
    I judge people who go to the gym and work out for less than 20 minutes, fat or thin. I mean really, what's the point of making the trip?

    How many calories does that judging burn?
    TONS.

    You guys didn't know this? If you are working out and judging someone at the same time you effectively burn calories at 0.237% over a period of 1 hour.

    To calculate this you would take your BMR x Minutes of judging - self reflection reduction burn (-0.0178%) X current bodyweight = extra calories burned. You're welcome.
  • CalJur
    CalJur Posts: 627 Member
    30 or so more days and they will be gone.
  • BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY
    BACONJOKESRSOFUNNY Posts: 666 Member
    They are subsidizing everyone else's fees. Without the newbies...

    A) Fees would skyrocket, or
    B) The doors would close.
  • RonnieLodge
    RonnieLodge Posts: 665 Member
    Yes, you are overthinking it.

    Go in and do what you do. I have been going to gyms for years and tend to not notice other people unless they are not following the general rules (wipe down the equipment, don't hog the machines during a busy period and put the weights back).

    I go to the gym to work out, not to judge others.

    Also, look at this:

    http://theoatmeal.com/comics/gym

    Enjoy your gym membership!
  • FitbeTMF
    FitbeTMF Posts: 251
    I think, "Good for them." Honestly I don't form opinions about anyone working out and doing their thing. We're both there for the same reason: Self improvement. What someone looks like is not a dictation of their dedication ;)

    When people ACT annoyingly, that is a different story
  • trixyj
    trixyj Posts: 11 Member
    I admire anybody who makes the effort and I hope you find the strength to keep going x
  • cmcollins001
    cmcollins001 Posts: 3,472 Member
    I barely notice my wife and we sorta work out together...not to make that sound as bad as it did, just mean to say I'm focused on my work out and the only time I'm not is when I'm spotting her on her bench press.

    There are a couple of "regulars" that I can point out and recognize as regulars, but seriously only a small handful, and that's because they are at the level I want to be....the rest I couldn't tell you if they started today, yesterday, or if I'm a newbie to them.
  • giggitygoo
    giggitygoo Posts: 1,978 Member
    Honestly? I don't even notice they are there. I go in with a mission, accomplish it, and leave.
  • UKMarjie
    UKMarjie Posts: 257 Member
    I judge people who go to the gym and work out for less than 20 minutes, fat or thin. I mean really, what's the point of making the trip?

    Seriously? Do you know their story? Maybe they have a medical condition. Maybe they are that out of shape and are trying to build their endurance. And why would you judge? Are they hurting you or offending you? it is their money and their time...

    I suspect the poster was injecting a bit of lighthearted banter into the thing - and as it is the opposite of the newbie thing...but heh could be wrong.
  • sunsnstatheart
    sunsnstatheart Posts: 2,544 Member
    I honestly, think "well done, now just stick with it". The only things that irritate me about new gym goers are not following the rules and too much chit chat. And to be honest, those two irritants are pretty evenly spread between newbies and regulars.

    My advice? Stop worrying about it. Read up on your gym's etiquette, study some workouts and pick one you want, then go. And stick with it!
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    @OP - Just go and screw what anyone else will think. You are doing this for you..not them.
  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    Everyone was a newbie once.

    I honestly don't pay any mind to them because they have no impact on my workout.
  • MaggieKillNMaul
    MaggieKillNMaul Posts: 24 Member
    I think everyone is too focused on what they're doing to notice you....and you'll love spin & body pump! Those are my two favorite classes!

    Just go, don't really pay attention to anyone else, and have a great time! Spin is awesome because you can do it at your own pace (it's usually based on perceived exertion, so a "7" to you is different from your neighbors).

    Have fun! :)
  • kingkoopaluv
    kingkoopaluv Posts: 147 Member
    love em, just don't get in my way! also clean your machines!
  • karenstack
    karenstack Posts: 7 Member
    Most of the people there are focused on what they are doing and couldn't care less. There will always be jerks, it's inevitable, but they are a minority. One of the tricks is picking a gym that isn't a 20-something pickup joint. A year ago, when I walked into a gym for the first time at 200 pounds, I was terrified and embarrassed. It was much ado about nothing. Nobody even blinked, nor do I see them hassle the morbidly obese people who can barely walk. As far as gym etiquette goes, it's all common sense. If you see someone has been waiting for equipment, wait your turn. Don't spend forever on a popular piece of equipment. Wipe everything down when you are done. Keep the noise to a minimum, don't talk on your cell. Just go for it, and remember the golden rule :)
  • Everyone has to start somewhere, there is a moment in time where the regulars were once a newbie. Don't worry about others, focus on yourself. Nobody will judge, I definitely don't judge. Recently I saw plenty of new people coming in, I didn't think anything of them.
  • I don't think anyone spends the whole entire day at the gym to know who is new and who isn't ? ..people go at different times right? When I use to go to the gym, I only recognized a few people and that is because we always went at the same time.
  • Blacklance36
    Blacklance36 Posts: 755 Member
    I always think "good for them to be doing something about it". I do make note of when I see them again as I am hoping they are making progress. I guess from what Im reading here that we are all silently cheering them on.

    Sadly though, most of them are gone by the end of Feb. However, I do appreciate the money they spend buying a years membership as that help keep my costs down. LOL
  • capnwo85
    capnwo85 Posts: 1,103 Member
    Everyone was a "newbie" at some point. Nobody was born physically fit.

    I say good job, keep at it, and ignore the bro's.
  • azztkk
    azztkk Posts: 26
    If you are going to let what others at the gym may think of you dissuade you from working out, you don't want it bad enough ... yet.

    Forget them and do what's best for you.
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
    I don't know who is new and who is not.
  • Friendly advice: Wipe down gym equipment after use!!

    & good for you for joining the gym!!