Gym newbies already gone at my gym ...
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I can't believe the attitude of some of the people here.
Yes, let's mock those who tried and have failed. Those who are sitting at home, feeling horrible about themselves because they didn't make it as long as they wanted to. Those who when they did go, felt out of place but at least they were trying.
And this is a site where people are supposed to encourage each other. "Don't worry about what other people think, they aren't judging you!"
When this thread is really all about judging.
Don't get me wrong, I love a quiet gym. I love when locker space is available and I don't have to use the machines I don't like. But I don't mind not having somewhere to hang up my clothes and I don't mind having to circle a few times for a parking spot if it means that there are people in the gym who are working on bettering themselves.
I don't consider them "newbies" and I certainly don't celebrate when they stop showing up.
Way to be a supportive community.
Thank you!!!! I am incredibly self conscious. Painfully so. I can barley muster up enough courage to walk around my local track, let alone walk into a gym full of fit people. The OP only solidified my "belief" that people are, indeed, mocking me as I am attempting to walk on a treadmill.
Personally, I would love to help new people, but, as was said earlier, I would feel like a creeper going up to some new person and starting to talk to them.
I also can't imagine being a new person on an elliptical or treadmill next to me and seeing my numbers flash by, I am fat, but fit and pretty fast for an old guy. I wouldn't want someone working out with me to think they aren't doing enough, just because I can do more, but my time is limited and I cant go at their pace either.
Oh, and I probably shouldn't wear this shirt @ the gym and talk to new people . .hehe0 -
Deciding somebody has a major character flaw based on an internet forum post is a major character flaw.Taking glee in something like this is a major character flaw. Next year try encouraging the new members to reach thier goals instead of bragging about how they keep your gym membership low.
(What can I say... I'm flawed...) :laugh:0 -
As a consistent gym member and a person who works in a mall that has a gym, I welcome this time of year; when people forget about their new years resolutions.
As a gym member, I like it when the gym isn't too crowded; I don't have to wait to use machines or weights, I can chit chat with my trainer without someone getting annoyed that we are taking "too long" at one station. It's win-win all around. They no longer get annoyed with me, I no longer get annoyed with them
As a mall employee, I don't have to park in Timbuktu and risk getting frostbite walking to and from my car… by 9:30, it's COLD and the wind-chill doesn't help matters… BRRRRRR!
February is a rough month, anything that can keep our spirits up (even if it's rejoicing in other people's failures… not that my point of view is that of people failing. It's more so, "how wonderful this is for me!") is welcome in my books
That said, if you are a new gym member, and continue to go, I commend you! Making the commitment and sticking to it is worth a round of applause. Seriously.0 -
Why would the gym do that? They just spent so much on New Years advertising, made a killing in new recruits and then get paid whether they show up or not. Why would you spend more money when you're making money without helping them?
Maybe a gym would do that because it has the potential to be the better option. Maybe if they spent more on helping people make solid long term commitments instead of on recruiting boom and bust new year "revolutionists" then that would end up as a better business model in the long run. After all, it would make for a more consistent business. With a consistently growing business instead of the seasonal boom and bust, they could better plan how many trainers and machines etc they need (instead of hiring and firing for the seasonal boom and annoying long term members when the equipment is too full). With a consistent employee base, they'd be better at their jobs and people would notice and that would help the gym's business grow more. Maybe they just aren't innovative and caring enough to try a model that could ultimately be better.
Just because a gym has made a profit the old way doesn't mean a new way with an emphasis on service wouldn't be better. New ways can be better.
Your right. A different business model might also be successful. But that's not the reality of most of the gyms in business today, the ones most of us go to. And that's the ones that people here are referring to. And under those circumstances, waiting to use equipment or not being able to find a parking spot is annoying, and makes for a less satisfying gym experience. That is what most people here are saying.0 -
I have been a member of the Y for about 3-4 years now. My participation there has waxed and waned over the years depending on my dedication level, and the activities of my family. But that is on me. not the other members and not the Y itself. I don't know why anyone would expect that the gym would be responsible for me showing up or not showing up. I have been very regular for the past year although the workouts I am doing have changed.
as for being welcoming to new members...what is it that you are expecting? Honestly. I don't run around pushing people off of machines or growling at anyone I think is new. I am one of those who is slightly miffed at the craziness of the gym at this time of year because it can impede what I have been doing there for the past year or so. doesn't mean I am mean to people. or unwelcoming. Frankly I go to the gym to workout. I use the gym because they have equipment there that I do not have at home. I also find that I am much more motivated if I workout somewhere other than home. (I had an elliptical that worked well for hanging clothes on) I know that for me personally a gym is the way to go. I would frankly rather not have people trying to welcome me with hugs and knowledge of my personal life. I have plenty of friends outside of the gym. so like I said before, I go in and come out and take care of me. There are familiar faces there, as there will be after attending a gym for 3+ years I say hi and wave but that is about it.
I really don't get all the anger and hostility when someone posts a thread about their frustration at all the new people in the gym. Last I checked no one posted that they were kicking people or yelling at them to leave or something...regular gym goers are just venting at what can be an inconvenience.0 -
Why would the gym do that? They just spent so much on New Years advertising, made a killing in new recruits and then get paid whether they show up or not. Why would you spend more money when you're making money without helping them?
Maybe a gym would do that because it has the potential to be the better option. Maybe if they spent more on helping people make solid long term commitments instead of on recruiting boom and bust new year "revolutionists" then that would end up as a better business model in the long run. After all, it would make for a more consistent business. With a consistently growing business instead of the seasonal boom and bust, they could better plan how many trainers and machines etc they need (instead of hiring and firing for the seasonal boom and annoying long term members when the equipment is too full). With a consistent employee base, they'd be better at their jobs and people would notice and that would help the gym's business grow more. Maybe they just aren't innovative and caring enough to try a model that could ultimately be better.
Just because a gym has made a profit the old way doesn't mean a new way with an emphasis on service wouldn't be better. New ways can be better.
You can continue to wish that the world will change to suit your needs, or you can be responsible for you, and change you. It's your choice and it's no one else's responsibility. Sure the regulars can be nice and plenty of us even walk up and say hi after a while, but we aren't going to change so that you, or anyone else, gets their butt out of bed in the morning. If you care so much, then invest your money and open up a gym that is what you imagine a gym should be.0 -
Your right. A different business model might also be successful. But that's not the reality of most of the gyms in business today, the ones most of us go to. And that's the ones that people here are referring to. And under those circumstances, waiting to use equipment or not being able to find a parking spot is annoying, and makes for a less satisfying gym experience. That is what most people here are saying.
Thanks. Yeah, I understand the reality, but I'm an idealist at heart. :ohwell:
I felt I just had to point out that it stinks that on a forum like this, where we're supposed to be supportive "pals" in our fitness journeys, that experienced gym members would look down their noses at failing noobies and cheer that failing, when, ideally, they could be encouraging them, questioning their gym's failure to support the newbies, or at least discussing ways to solve the underlying problem--even if nothing comes of it. :grumble:
Ah, well, a girl can dream, right? :flowerforyou:0 -
Your right. A different business model might also be successful. But that's not the reality of most of the gyms in business today, the ones most of us go to. And that's the ones that people here are referring to. And under those circumstances, waiting to use equipment or not being able to find a parking spot is annoying, and makes for a less satisfying gym experience. That is what most people here are saying.
Thanks. Yeah, I understand the reality, but I'm an idealist at heart. :ohwell:
I felt I just had to point out that it stinks that on a forum like this, where we're supposed to be supportive "pals" in our fitness journeys, that experienced gym members would look down their noses at failing noobies and cheer that failing, when, ideally, they could be encouraging them, questioning their gym's failure to support the newbies, or at least discussing ways to solve the underlying problem--even if nothing comes of it. :grumble:
Ah, well, a girl can dream, right? :flowerforyou:
about 1/10 of my posts are actually helpful, useful posts with information that is genuine and to the best of my knowledge (which egotistically I must admit is more than most here). so that's at least 200 posts of helpful information in 4 months. This is not including the sincere information and suggestions I've given friends and posted in some of the other groups.0 -
Why do people cheer about this? The way I see it, if your gym and it's members had been more supportive of the newbies at a time when you all knew they would be challenged, maybe you could have helped them stick with it and made a real difference in more of their lives. Clearly, your gym doesn't do well by the members who need it the most (the new ones).
Because it says so much about how people think they can quick fix there long term abuse and sorry sob stories of unluckiness
75% have given up by 21st Jan apparently - no level of support from a gym will help that
Citation for your study for the 75%? Seriously, I want someone to link me to an article about gym that actually does even one of the things I mentioned and for an employee of that gym to tell me that their efforts were a complete waste of time.
If it were a different business, like a restaurant, and only 25% of the customers came back as regulars, how would that business get a good reputation and stay in business? Bad gyms are rigged to be all about the money instead of all about health.
I'd pay more for a gym with good service that goes a little above and beyond to help me meet a goal and build a good habit rather than to just leave me to my own devices as a "noob".
Heck, my dentist does a better job than the local gym did. Now, my dentist doesn't have a key fob, but they did take my picture when I first went there. Now when I show up for appointments, they don't ask me my name because they spot me from my photo on the list for the day. They even compliment me when they think I look skinnier (6 months between visits, so it's more likely noticeable). They take notes when I chit chat with them too, so when my hubby comes in or when I come back they can pick up where we left off, "Oh so how was the wedding?! How do you like the new house? etc" I know they're "cheating" because they have my photo and file open as they see me come in, but it really makes for a great service experiences and I recommend them to anyone who asks. Gyms could do something similar if they cared.
It might be a little harder if you have 1000 clients that could come in at any time of the day instead of scheduled appointments. I used to work at a gym and we got to know the regulars. The thing to keep in mind is that some people don't want to be talked to. They want to come in, get to work and get out.0 -
Do you expect someone to constantly hold your hand thru-out life? It is not our responsibility nor the staffs responsibility to make sure you feel comfortable every time you step foot in that gym. I am there to workout not to chitchat with other gym members, you should be doing the same.0
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I know they aren't the same. I don't expect the font desk to chit chat with me all day at a gym. But, they do have plenty of ways to make an effort to learn my name and show me better service. I can't tell you how many times there were no towels available (for wiping down a machine) and no one even at the front desk to ask for a towel, even though when I signed up they pointed out the stack of towels and explained what they were for. They didn't provide a good service for me... not with towels and not with being nice. I know that key fob told them my name every time I walked in that door. I saw it pop on the monitor near the security cameras.It might be a little harder if you have 1000 clients that could come in at any time of the day instead of scheduled appointments. I used to work at a gym and we got to know the regulars. The thing to keep in mind is that some people don't want to be talked to. They want to come in, get to work and get out.
They didn't provide me with the service I expected. Now they don't get my money because I canceled my membership and work out from home. I see their lack of good service as a chronic flaw, one of many for that gym. They gave me the run around when I tried to cancel it, even though I was month to month renewal. I had to send a certified letter and everything (apparently you can't cancel in person, just by mail) but darn it they don't get my money any more and it's their own fault.0 -
Do you expect someone to constantly hold your hand thru-out life? It is not our responsibility nor the staffs responsibility to make sure you feel comfortable every time you step foot in that gym. I am there to workout not to chitchat with other gym members, you should be doing the same.
Yes, we should all be just like Laura! I am going to have to work on my maleness and looks to get there, but WTH, it might be fun!0 -
my gym is still pretty packed.0
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I'm a noob at the gym..And it's easily the best part of my day. But, I got laughed at by two other chicks at the gym for asking how to work the elliptical machine. =( Why must they laugh? Why not just be polite and answer my question minus the obvious laugh at my stupidity and the little snicker from each of you as you walk away? They were talking about everyone else there anyway when they were on the treadmills. Le sigh..Females.0
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Who joined the gym and was already hard bodied? Sure wasn't me. The OP said nothing about "hoping it get's back to normal." He actually said congrats to the people who stuck it out.
And "I told you so" to the ones who didn't. So supportive!
encouraging and supporting failure promotes failure.
I certainly wont be ridiculing my kids failure - but I sure as hell wont be encouraging it and giving it 'permission' to be OK with failure0 -
I'm a noob at the gym..And it's easily the best part of my day. But, I got laughed at by two other chicks at the gym for asking how to work the elliptical machine. =( Why must they laugh? Why not just be polite and answer my question minus the obvious laugh at my stupidity and the little snicker from each of you as you walk away? They were talking about everyone else there anyway when they were on the treadmills. Le sigh..Females.
That must just be an insecurity thing, I have twice had to use hand signals and yell 'Just keep going!' from the rowers.
People don't seem to realise, we'd be happy if everyone stayed, that would be fine.
Or if the gym, number of pieces of equipment and car park could suddenly increase every time there was a J at the start of the month.
But it's not the case. So the gym is the right size for the majority of the time, but regular exercisers can't enjoy the place they love for January or the start of the sunny months due to overcrowding.0 -
The gym I go to is still full to bursting, and more machines are out of order than ever. The poor trainers are still going from one induction to another.... the car park is full, so on nights I have a class I have to arrive 20 minutes early to get parked.
Saying that, theres not that many members (old and new) that hog the machines, or sit on their phones, so I guess I am quite lucky in that respect.
It is generally a friendly and welcoming gym, in as much as the staff always say hello, and mainly remember your name - but if they get too popular I can see many people leaving because they cannot get into a class, or on a machine. Some ot the people who have been members there for years tell me they have not seen it as busy as this since it opened.0 -
I'm a noob at the gym..And it's easily the best part of my day. But, I got laughed at by two other chicks at the gym for asking how to work the elliptical machine. =( Why must they laugh? Why not just be polite and answer my question minus the obvious laugh at my stupidity and the little snicker from each of you as you walk away? They were talking about everyone else there anyway when they were on the treadmills. Le sigh..Females.
That stinks. There's bound to be the occasional *kitten* in the gym, best to ignore them as they're usually few and far between and probably quite new themselves. Don't let them stop you from reaching your goals. There are *kitten* everywhere in life and you can't stop for them every time you run across one. I've said this several times before, if you need help ask the biggest person you can find as they're usually the most helpful as they've worked hard to get where they are, probably lost a lot of arrogance in the process, and will be happy to help. This has worked for me in several gyms in multiple countries. If they are not helpful, however, see my second sentence above, and move on to the next one.
And this is meant generally, not to the above poster, but somewhere between the imagined worlds of (1) utopian rainbows and unicorns where someone shows up at your doorstep every morning to give you a hug and encourage you to work out and (2) "those" gyms of the Planet Fitness commercials where the jacked guys make fun of everyone, lies the reality. You wake up several mornings a week and go to the gym. You give it your all, watch your diet, and see gradual results. Most people completely ignore you, but you eventually meet a few people in your gym by reaching out and saying "hi" and funny enough, gym going becomes such a regular thing that you start referring to it as "my gym" and welcoming the newbies after they also have the wherewithal to show up on a semi regular basis, or you don't. It's up to you.0 -
I'm a noob at the gym..And it's easily the best part of my day. But, I got laughed at by two other chicks at the gym for asking how to work the elliptical machine. =( Why must they laugh? Why not just be polite and answer my question minus the obvious laugh at my stupidity and the little snicker from each of you as you walk away? They were talking about everyone else there anyway when they were on the treadmills. Le sigh..Females.
That stinks. There's bound to be the occasional *kitten* in the gym, best to ignore them as they're usually few and far between and probably quite new themselves. Don't let them stop you from reaching your goals. There are *kitten* everywhere in life and you can't stop for them every time you run across one. I've said this several times before, if you need help ask the biggest person you can find as they're usually the most helpful as they've worked hard to get where they are, probably lost a lot of arrogance in the process, and will be happy to help. This has worked for me in several gyms in multiple countries. If they are not helpful, however, see my second sentence above, and move on to the next one.
And this is meant generally, not to the above poster, but somewhere between the imagined worlds of (1) utopian rainbows and unicorns where someone shows up at your doorstep every morning to give you a hug and encourage you to work out and (2) "those" gyms of the Planet Fitness commercials where the jacked guys make fun of everyone, lies the reality. You wake up several mornings a week and go to the gym. You give it your all, watch your diet, and see gradual results. Most people completely ignore you, but you eventually meet a few people in your gym by reaching out and saying "hi" and funny enough, gym going becomes such a regular thing that you start referring to it as "my gym" and welcoming the newbies after they also have the wherewithal to show up on a semi regular basis, or you don't. It's up to you.
There's usually not a lot of people at the gym that I go to, but I've found that the more I go, the friendlier the "regulars" have become. Mostly though, I tune everything out. I bought a nifty little arm band for my phone, so I strap it on, put my earbuds in, pick a playlist on Spotify, and do what I went to the gym to do. I've lost 17 pounds since the beginning of December. {◕ ◡ ◕}0 -
Why do people cheer about this? The way I see it, if your gym and it's members had been more supportive of the newbies at a time when you all knew they would be challenged, maybe you could have helped them stick with it and made a real difference in more of their lives. Clearly, your gym doesn't do well by the members who need it the most (the new ones).
Haha, how ridiculous, they're adults and shouldn't have to rely on support from strangers to keep them going....it's upto each individual.0 -
My gym still packed BUT...................Pizza monday is coming up (1st Monday of the month). I'm sure most will wait to try out the Pizza and then dissapear tilll next month...maybe!.....bwahahahahhaah0
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My gym no longer looks like Black Friday so a bunch of people have already taken off. Last year it stayed full until March (then tapered off immediately after "spring break). Can't say I'm sad, though. It's not that I actively root for someone to fail at their resolution, but it's nice to have a little breathing room again.
I do a small group training session 3x a week, and we've had a few people breeze in and out. It's amazing to me that they'll pay so much for this and then bail. One woman comes, skips the next 4 classes, then comes back whining about how she's "doing everything and it's not working" *headdesk*.0 -
From another perspective, as one who works in a gym, and learning a lot about the importance of retention, including keeping costs down, and membership fees. If someone continues to come even just once a week, they retain their membership. Keeping that revenue means adding benefits to a productive company. Working for a proactive gym like I do is super exciting, and how to retain them- including all kinds of fun perks, making it an experience beyond workout equipment. That being said- its more of a spa/club environmen0
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Why do people cheer about this? The way I see it, if your gym and it's members had been more supportive of the newbies at a time when you all knew they would be challenged, maybe you could have helped them stick with it and made a real difference in more of their lives. Clearly, your gym doesn't do well by the members who need it the most (the new ones).
It's gym humor and it's frankly based in economic reality. None of us is responsible for whether someone shows up or not. It's up to them to make the commitment and stick with it.
I beg to differ. It's a sign of a chronic gym problem that no one cares enough to bother fixing. I'm not saying that every noobie would stick with it, but I do think that gyms and their members could do a lot more to help AND still make a profit while doing so.
For example, last time I joined a gym they gave me a key fob thingy to scan to get past the front desk. Gyms could do so much more with those, like send an email to the member if a week or more has gone by and they haven't come in.
aka: It's Febuary and you know what that means! It's time to re-affirm those new year resolutions. We've missed you this week(month, etc). Please join us for <insert free or low cost perk> on <date> or stop by the front desk to set up a session with one of our personal trainers. Mention this email to get 10% off your first training session.
Heck, even just using the fob to "learn" my name would have been nice. aka: I scan the fob, screen tells the front desk who I am (exists) and desk person SHOULD say "HI <name>!" and look at me to acknowledge my existence.
Or, have a bulletin board for members and newbies seeking "accountability buddies."
Or have a sign up sheet for members to become newbie mentors/buddies. It could be as simple as promising to call the noobie once a week. For each week/month a mentor's noobie comes in, give the member a % off next year's membership. That way the mentor member gets a perk and the noobie is more likely to renew his/her membership next year AND more likely to recommend the gym to a friend. More members who renew = more money for profit and for improvements to the gym or even opening extra locations.
I'm glad to hear that some members do try to help out the noobies. That was never my experience when I was at the local gym, but I was "noobie" in early Nov of that year, not January. Maybe no one recognized me as new even though I went at the same time each day. I live in a friendly town, but it seemed like at the gym few people smiled or waved back, even at the front desk or the locker room. Everyone was too busy living in their own world. It made me miss my old campus gym from college. I let my membership to the local gym expire. For the same price as a fancy gym membership for a year, I can buy craig list equipment and just stay home, instead.
I know that the noobies have their own share of responsibility for whether they go to the gym or not. BUT I firmly believe that gyms and their members could help a lot more of them than they do. That's a sign of a gym that's not properly serving it's members. All the gym cares about is it's pocketbook, rather than it's most valuable asset---the members (new and old).
Try to understand that it's not all about support. At the YMCA that I go to, we have some great trainers. Always available. I've seen them correct form just passing by to be helpful. What you have is a whole lot of folks at the beginning of the year that have two things.... A New Years resolution and/or a One Month membership that they got as part of a holiday special or ''gift'' from a loved one. They come in, they give it their first month, then they realize that it requires effort.
Getting fit, in this respect, is the same as someone trying to quit smoking. No matter how much support you give, no matter how good it is for them.....
Until they are ready to do it on their own, they will not do it.0 -
Havent you heard the rule of thumb?
"New Years diets start Jan 1st and end Super Bowl Sunday!"
I workout at home most of the time so I don't have this issue.
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This reminds of last year. I'm at the gym on the ellipticals with my headphones on but the volume fairly low. There's a guy on the elliptical next to me and his buddy comes over and starts talking about how the gym is stuffed and he can't wait until all the "fakers" are gone in the next couple of weeks. He may have even gestured in my direction with a head bob but I may have imagined that.
Well foursquare says I've been to that gym over 300 times since the beginning of last January and I've never seen that asshat since. :laugh:0 -
I love it when the gym starts to clear out after the first of the year New Years resolutions people start to dwindle. Its nice to be able to use the equipment and machines again. I don't talk to anyone at the gym--In and out with a purpose, when I go.0
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Gosh I know!! It's great though, my yoga class started off packed probably 30 people or so, this week it was down to about 15.0
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As someone who has set goals and not achieved them, I try not to look down my nose at other people when they come up short. I didn't wind up on mfp because all awesome, all the time
Friend request sent. 0 -
Honestly, my only problem with the New Years mofos is that they haven't learned even a glimmer of gym etiquette in the early stages. Nothing I like more than having to strip every damned bar I come to and hunt for plates for ten minutes because stuff is scattered all over hell. I literally had to walk to six different racks and benches to gather enough for deadlifts last night.0
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