So my long term running buddy and I decided to throw in some sprint intervals during our 7 mile run yesterday.

OMG! I thought I was going to barf/die/keel over/someone please call an ambulance!!

Nothing like some sprints to reminds oneself that one is not exactly the cats' meow one thought one was. Yea, I am a resolutioner---resolving to do more intervals and nearly collapsing with the effort!!

Well I'm glad you didn't collapse! And WTG for trying! That's awesome! I don't really mind the newbs too much. I am always nice to everyone @ my little Hole in the wall GYM. I show them how to turn on and program the machines and whatnot because we don't have staff and trainers there to show anyone unless you ask (which is what I did when I was a newb a year ago), and usually the newbs will try, fail, give up and come slinking back a few minutes later to try again...that's when I offer my assistance.

I did indeed go to the gym, but mine wasn't packed at all! However the guy at the desk (Who I had never seen) said to me, "you're brand new are you?" I tried to be friendly, but I was a bit offended LOL. I've been going to that gym since August.

We joined a new gym in December so we look like resolution members (hubby heard someone call them that tonight). But actually I've been at this for 15 months with some needed breaks in between. We did have a membership at the YMCA but we gave that up in the summer because we were doing so many renovations on the house we didn't need it and we could exercise in other ways. So, now were at the healthplex connected to the hospital. I am glad to hear it thins out in February. I didn't get to the cardio/weight room today but hubby said it was PACKED. The pool area wasn't full at all though. We have a track so I can walk or jog even if all the machines are full but I would like as few people watching me as possible.

The parking lot at my gym is packed constantly, I have gone at every imaginable time of day and even at 1-3 pm when its usually dead its been packed. The walk from the parking lot to the door is a hike now, its insane. However, there a lot of fresh faces and people working hard so it is very inspiring. I hope as many as possible are able to stick it out.

Ditto on everything! My gym has been packed! I talked to the guy at the front desk yesterday and he said on Monday they had 18 new members that day. That's a lot (my gym is on the smaller size). I'm going to spin class tonight, gonna get there early!

ROFL, Julie. I have had these same thoughts since New Years every morning when I run! I usually run early morning too (5:30 or 6) but today I had to go at 9. I have not seen that many "new" runners or walker out though. My guess is they are all at the gym.

ETA: I see your weight is still going, going, going! Awesome for you. Maybe someday I will catch up--(Sigh) once you hit goal and stop going down!

I was at the gym in this same situation. I had no idea what to do. The guy would hop on to the treadmill going at an insane speed and then hop off, all while grunting and being very very loud (i guess to motivate himself?). anyway, he was in front of me (I was on the elliptical). well, about the third time he hopped on, he tripped up and landed face down! I felt so bad for him(he was Okay, thank god) .
but, the next time I saw him on the treadmill he wasn't hopping on and off...

It was really busy at my gym on Monday too!! Will see about today - I joined in December (I had 2 goals, 1 to join a gym and 2 to meet more people - plus is is COLD and icy here, so indoor exercise is easier) We will see how long they all last.

I hope they all last. I want good health not only for myself but all those around me, including you.

I wonder if a lot of people who sign up in January quit not just because the enthusiasm has gone but maybe they get fed up with the packed gym and they all cancel each other out

hmm...maybe. i wouldn't assume that ALL of those people don't exercise any other time. like i said, i look like i'm a resolution member. but i exercise all year round but in the summer, i give up the membership because it costs so stinkin much and i have other active things to do. then come winter we wait for the free joining. our gym has a $250 joining fee. that is a HUGE chunk of money. we went in december and joined for free. we did the same thing with the ymca last year. now of course, if you sign up in January and leave in February...that probably isn't what you are doing.

I know a lot of people that kill their memberships in the summer because they're outside all the time. I know we don't go as frequently for that reason, but we still hand on to it.

But they usually continue it in the fall.

Ours is $95. I didn't want to hang on to that. At this new place we can put it on hold instead of dropping it, which is nice. So in October we could go back without paying the $250. We may stay through the summer though so we can weight train. Not sure yet, we'll have to see how things go, what we're doing, how much renovation we're doing on the house (we have another huge project to do, ugh) and whatever else.

I think that's what our gym does- allows people to pause it. I'm not sure, though. It's a nice option to have, that's for sure!