Every knows that January is the time to make New Year’s Resolutions. Many of these involve working out, exercising, etc… especially if you overindulged over the holidays (like I did)
While this is a good thing, since I am all for everyone getting more exercise and keeping in shape, since it will lead to lower medical insurance costs overall, what I hate is the January gym rats, as I call ‘em. I’ve been weightlifting and working out for about 17 years, before I ever got into triathlons, and every year, I see the same thing. Bunch of new folks in the gym, with no clues about gym etiquette (wipe your sweat off the machine, you pigs!), no concern for others, and no real long term dedication. By late January, early February, they are breaking their resolutions and not coming back to the gym, and by early March, they are all gone. Of course, I have heard that gyms count on approximately 40% of the new memberships purchased early in the year to never come back, thus almost giving the gym free money (I’ve also heard that 64.28% of all statistics are made up on the spot)
This year, though, it seems especially bad, because I have ventured into other parts of the gym, like the cardio machines (mostly treadmills) and the swimming pool. It galls me to see someone wasting a treadmill walking at 1.5 mph for 120 minutes, especially when there is a sign directly in front of them stating “Limit your use of the cardio machines to 30 minutes during peak hours” This invariably happens during the lunch hour, which is the peak hour at the gyms. The pool is great, as well. People having no clue how to share a lap lane in a pool, or even worse, the people who cut across the lanes because they have no idea of lap lanes. Then there are the guys swimming in the nice baggy swim trunks (don’t you know that thing is like a parachute?), which are at least better than the guy in the too tight Speedo, which probably last saw the light of day 20 years ago (hello, the 1980’s are calling,t hey want their speedos back!)
Anyways, if you are one of those January gym rats, welcome! I’m actually glad to see you in the gym. All I ask is that you have a little consideration for others, learn a little gym etiquette (no, it’s not okay to use four different machines all at once, and think that you own them) and maybe take a lesson from one of the gym staff of how things work at the local gym. Or even ask me, or one of the other folks who look like they have been there for a while. We’ll gladly, and kindly, help you out. After all, we’re all here together.
