Has your gym been more crowded since New Year's Day?

natamars · 01-19-2011, 08:27 PM

I've belonged to a gym pretty consistently for about 20 years. And every January it's the same thing - people make their resolutions, there's a wait for the machines, and the classes are overcrowded. This activity usually dies down in mid-february or so, This year, however, if anything my gym has been quieter. Classes aren't as well attended. Not sure if it's the snow and cold here in NY or what, but it's weird!

How are things in your gym this January?

callie999 · 01-19-2011, 08:43 PM

Oh heck yeah, it's nightmarish...it's how I got in the habit of going after 10PM. I can't wait till I can afford (and have space for!) my own machines and equipment. Yoga hasn't been more crowded though.

saef · 01-19-2011, 09:17 PM

My gym has been ... weird. Spotty, I'd say. A lot of new people signed up. I could see them at the front desk, filling out the forms. The people working the front desk confirmed this. Sometimes it's been quite crowded. (I couldn't find a coat hook in the ladies' room the other day.) Other times, though, it's been almost empty. I'm in NY as well, but just north of the city, rather than out on Long Island. I'm attributing it to the relentless weather we're having this year. It doesn't affect me, because I can walk to my gym. But those who need to drive & find a parking space in this mess might be thinking twice before going out.

kmcklolbubbley · 01-19-2011, 09:29 PM

I live in IL and it has been a madhouse. It just so happens that the New Year's Resolution rush coincided with a multi-million dollar expansion opening. So, needless to say, it has been crazy!

LiannaKole · 01-19-2011, 09:32 PM

Yes! Dear god, yes! There was ONE machine available when I went - it was the wonky bike machine that veers to the side and has one pedal that clacks. I hate cycles, anyway. And even that's busy most days! There's a huge wait for machines ALL the time.

I have to get there when it opens at 6AM if I want a spot, and even then if I don't make an appointment I can get kicked off the machine. The classes are packed and even the racket ball rooms are booked.

I've taken to walking an hour plus everyday instead. I'll go back to the gym when things die down a little. It's scary...

fitkristi · 01-19-2011, 09:36 PM

Yup - there were about 80-90 people in my Zumba class today - INSANITY. You could barely move.

Aclai4067 · 01-20-2011, 09:28 PM

I notice I have to park in the back more often, and I can't get my prefered treadmill as often(yes, i have a favorite even though they're all the same brand, model and age). But it hasn't been as bad as I expected. I never have to wait for a machine and have not had any problem getting a bike in spin class.

Aclai4067 · 01-20-2011, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiannaKole

it was the wonky bike machine that veers to the side and has one pedal that clacks.

Ugh, we had one of those at my old gym. I hated that thing, but used it out of desparation on occasion.

aasshhlleeyy · 01-20-2011, 09:54 PM

gosh yes so many ppl it's annoying lol

Patrizia · 01-20-2011, 10:11 PM

My gym (at my college) has been HORRIBLE since New Year's! The first few days of the year there was a 30 minute to an hour wait just to get on a cardio machine... unless you go obscenely early in the morning or after 9PM. It's atrocious! This week it is FINALLY starting to get better... no more than 15 minute waits for treadmills and ellipticals, but there are ALWAYS bikes open so I fill the time with that!

natamars · 01-21-2011, 06:23 AM

Hmm, looking at the replies I should be grateful my gym hasn't been crowded at all. Attendance there is often so light that I'm afraid they'll shut down, which would totally suck - it is cheap and literally 2 minutes from my house, so I have no excuses. The next closest gym would be about a 15 minute drive, and when I have to wait for dh to get home from work to watch our son before running out, every minute counts!

morphomel · 01-21-2011, 10:52 PM

I'm with you natamars. I was about to complain about the increase at my gym, but it's nothing compared what others are dealing with. I can't wait until it's back to the 5 or 6 regulars I see most mornings.

Kristen81985 · 01-21-2011, 10:55 PM

the gym i attend hardly changed a bit!! You could see a difference, but it was barely noticable! It was hard to believe, because it usually IS the opposite

Eliana · 01-22-2011, 11:03 AM

Yeah, we've had a bigger crowd at 5:30 AM, but most of the "new" people are actually old regulars I haven't seen in a while. Habitual New Year's resolutioners? I'm not sure.

My only grip is that there are a couple ladies who keep taking my spin bike.

Never mind that there are 20 other empty ones to choose from. LOL!

Button · 01-23-2011, 12:08 AM

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has a preference for certain pieces of equipement even though they're all technically the same. I don't care if all 4 treadmills are the same, the second one from the right is mine.

There have been a couple of days where there were more people at my college gym than usual, but other than that I haven't seen a substantial increase in people there. I do tend to go at off times, though, so that might be why.