January at the Gym

I am all for people getting in shape and taking care of their bodies.  I believe living a healthy lifestyle is very important and should be a priority for everyone.  With that said, I hate going to the gym in January.

All of the people that have made New Year's resolutions to get in shape or lose weight or be healthy make it painful to go the gym in January.  Most are going to end up wasting money on a gym membership they buy in January, use for 3 weeks, then never use again.  According to the IHRSA, International Health, Racquetball, & Sportsclub Association, 80% of gym memberships bought in January go unused.  That means only 20% of people who are crowding the gym right now will continue to go.  Honestly, that's abysmal, but that is a whole other discussion.

I walked into the gym last night and every single one of the treadmills was in use.  The last week of December, only 1/3 of those treadmills were being used.  The dumbbell area was crowded with people waiting to get a bench.  Before January, I could usually spot three benches open at a time.

And it's not as though I go at peak times.  I never go at peak times.  This was at 8pm.

So for all of you people that have decided to live a healthly lifestyle or lose weight or for whatever reason buy a gym membership, I have some helpful advice for you.

1)  If you don't know, ask.  Most people will answer a question, and the employees are there to help you.  Instead of wandering around lost or not knowing how to work a machine properly, ask someone.

2)  If you haven't stepped foot in a gym or fitness center in awhile, I highly recommend getting a personal trainer for a few sessions.  These are people whose job it is to get you in shape.  Most specialize in some area of fitness.  Trainers will show you how to work machines and techniques safely and correctly.  Better to learn how to do things right from the get go.

3)  Please don't walk around naked in the locker rooms.  No one wants to see that, and there are changing stalls now.

4)  Lock up your belongings.  As much as wish you could trust everyone, you can't.  Buy a $5 Masterlock and lock up your stuff.

5)  Finally, if you can rough it out through January into February, you'll see a dramatic drop in numbers.  The gym will become normal again, so tough it out with the rest of us.

As for me, I'll have to put up with the gym being crazy crowded and meat heads thinking they can do 135lb dumbbell curls for a bit longer.  I'm just hoping no one gets hurt.