Not to all of you, but you know who you are. I HEARD you, you know. Your comments about how “You can’t wait for all the New Years People” to leave – and all the complaints about how CROWDED the classes are, and how there weren’t enough bikes in Spinning and how you had to *gasp* WAIT for a treadmill. I saw the dirty looks when I took my turn on the machine, and took the weights, and the Bosu ball, and we ALL heard you freaking out about how someone took YOUR locker in the locker room. We know how annoyed you are that it wasn’t possible for you and little cliquey friends to sit together or side by side as you workout and and gossip and make plans for lunch afterwards. I have something to say to you.
Grow the hell up.
The gym isn’t here JUST FOR YOU. Yes, many, many new people join gyms and start new fitness journeys in January. It’s the time for fresh starts and boy, does the fitness industry market to them. I’m fully aware that only about 30% of these new signers stay on at the gym after February or March. Did you ever stop to think that maybe people like YOU are the reason they quit and give up? Maybe, just maybe, your attitude of entitlement at the gym gives them pause. Maybe your snarky comments and whispers and lack of support help make the decision to stop going to the gym easier.
Here’s a little secret:
Your sweat isn’t worth more than anyone else’s.
How about instead of complaining about the lack of space, smile and move over a few inches? How about instead of bitching about the lack of Spinning bikes, take a turn on the elliptical until one opens up? Or the treadmill, or whatever machine is open. And if nothing is open, drop and do some crunches or planks or whatever. How about offering support instead of disdain? 
You were new once. It doesn’t matter the month. You were once a newbie. Did you heart race? Were you scared? Did you cry the first time you were in a class? I did, and what made it easier for me to come back was the girl sitting next to me showing me the ropes, encouraging me to keep going, and she looked right at me and said, “I’ll see you on Wednesday, right?” And I was there.
This isn’t something that happened to me recently but I’ve had it happed to me in the past,and I’ve been hearing more and more chatter from people who are annoyed by the new people, both in message boards I belong to, and experiences of friends of mine. And I’m calling it: BULLSHIT!
I promise this to every Newbie I see: if I am anywhere near where you are, and I see that you might be lost, or confused, or scared. I will smile and offer you my seat, my space, my help, my advice, and I’ll be sure to ask you if you will be at the next class. And I’ll meet you there.
Enter my giveaway for a brand new Fitbit One and find me at My Fitness Pal : wendydelmo I’ll support you all the way!
Well said!! I quit going to the gym for these exact reasons and now only work out at home.
As a gym rat, I will confess that in the PAST I may have been rude to the “newbies” but I have been encouraging my friends and anyone else I know to look at it from a different perspective and encourage rather than discourage. I hope more people can take the initiative to be kind.
We go to our local YMCA and so far I haven’t seen anyone complaining yet. Our instructors are awesome, and they love having new people join! I’m sure the smaller gyms probably have more people like this though!
I get around the New Year’s resolution people by going during the quieter times like the evening. Gives them their space and me mine.
It’s not really worth going if you’re going to get upset about things when there is always another way. I’m just really not good with crowds in general.
Love this!!! I don’t belong to a gym, but I can see those people in my head and even see them out in public.. Go you!!!
Hi, I found you on BAM’s blogroll the other day and came back today to introduce myself and show some love. I like this post, because as an instructor we too need to be reminded of the comments that could potentially hinder a member from returning. It can be pretty rough out there at an established gym. Members are quite territorial. I teach for a small chain of gyms in my area and I happen to be at the friendly newer location and we retain new members a lot better than the old snooty location I used to attend before joining the instructor team. People want to feel welcomed and that they belong & we do a good job of nurturing those feelings. Nice post for the New Year! Right on target!
*LOVE* This is another reason why I am so scared to go to the gym.
Change is hard for everyone. I’m glad you pointed both sides out. Sometimes people don’t realize it it’s a two way street. You’re awesome.
I built my own gym over the years so I could stop going to the gym and avoid all the annoying people there – - so happy now!
Love! Thanks for this. Cheer them on! Don’t be “that guy” who I rude to the resolutioners.
I love going in the evenings where its just friends and the machines.. I can see this happening at some places though… I do some workouts at home, the main idea is to never give up whether your in a gym or not..
Wendy, you have been so encouraging! thank you!
I love this!!
I can tell that you are just a “little” passionate about this LOL
Love this!! I think it is great that people are embarking on their “new” fitness adventure and personally hope they stick around. People should be more friendly and welcoming rather than just bitchy, the world would be a better place!!!
Incredible awesome post – Loved it and that is why I am not in the gym
YAY!