The January Joiners.
The Resolutioners.
You know who I’m talking about.
The newbs at your gym that make it difficult for you to get on a machine or into a class.
The ones who have NO IDEA what they’re doing or are just kind of annoying.
Well, I love them.
As someone who runs social media and success stories for a fitness company, nothing warms my heart more than seeing someone new to fitness. Someone who’s had enough and wants to change their life for the better.
Heather has some awesome posts up about how to survive what she calls the “Gympocalypse” — some gym etiquette newbies might not know and how to avoid beginner mistakes.
More and more, friends have been asking me for fitness tips lately — what gym to join, what classes to take, etc., and it makes me so happy. I just want to hug everyone, but maybe that’s just the endorphins speaking.
Fitness has really changed my life, and I want that for everyone else, too. So, be nice to your January Joiners, even if they are a little clueless! Though statistics show they probably won’t stick around much longer, let’s hope that this year is different for them.
What about you? Were you a January Joiner? Or is your gym packed and you’re mad?
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I get mad when somebody who is scared to put their face in the water jumps in the lane at the pool clearly labeled as "fast." It's dangerous when we are circle swimming. So go ahead and come to the pool/gym/etc but know what you are doing OR go with a friend who does so they can guide you.
I'm totally a January Joiner (January Recommitter?) but I'm trying to ease the stress of it by booking all my classes several days in advance so I don't get blocked out. [thumbs up emoji]
So true. I definitely noticed it. Personally, I am not a January joiner, I'm more of a summer work out enthusiast. But I think it's more than just January-gym joining. On January 5 the lunch line at Just Salad was 3x as long. I am pretty sure there is going to be a run on Greek Yogurt soon too. I think it's a nice thing, better to try to self improve than just sit back. Maybe we need a big holiday in April to remind people.
Yeah, I heard the line at Sweetgreen was ABSURD on Monday.
AMEN!! The studio I teach at hasn't been overwhelmed with January joiners, but I wish it was. I love having new people in class, and I love helping/supporting/watching people achieve new things!
I wasn't a January Joiner as far as working out, but I DID join a Planet Fitness last January mid-month because it was sub-zero out and I needed a treadmill :) On one hand, I understand being annoyed by hassle, but on the other... we were all newbies once!
I'll admit I'm totally a hater. It annoys the crap out of me. Someone needs to start a mid year (maybe like pre-summer) fitness movement! Maybe we could then shift half the population to do it then! By summer time some of us regulars are moving workouts outside instead. See it would be a good balance for all of us!
They totally make me smile! Sure, they're new and don't always know what they're doing, but to see people wanting to live a healthier life is amazing! And it's NOT easy to go to a gym when you're new and maybe don't know what to do.
I'm a January Joiner because I wanted to switch to a new gym and the deals in January are SO GOOD it's hard to pass it up. If I joined in April instead you pay an insane initiation fee that is just not there in January. But I definitely use the new year as a reason to recommit and work off the Christmas cookies, so I am definitely team January Joiners.
of course us regulars get a bit annoyed to see a slammed gym in january, but we all have to start somewhere, at some point...and who knows. maybe some of the jan joiners will stick with it and make changes this year. and if not, at least they're trying -- and that's something. if you work out more than you did before, no matter what that means, that's a success.
the gym is packed and i am not mad. my brother, however, refers to the newcomers as "gym frauds" when he can't get to the equipment he wants!