Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 22:07     Subject: It's amateur hour at the gym again
I think the problem is that once you add a whole bunch of people to an experience that is already kind of annoying, the whole thing becomes really annoying. I can't afford an exclusive gym so I'm stuck going to a normal chain. On any given morning, there are a bunch of people camping out on circuit machines, scrolling on their phones. It can take ages to get to all the machines you need. Then add a bunch of newbies plus all the existing members who made resolutions and it's just a lot. Twice as many people, too many of which are dawdling and taking ages.

I don't mind new people. I'm excited when people do good stuff for their health. But I do wish some of them could pick a different time to start their fitness journey. Like spring, for bathing suit season, or September, for back to school. It would be a bit less overwhelming.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 06:28     Subject: It's amateur hour at the gym again
Every high school kid in the tri state area must have received a membership to my gym for Xmas! Literally 5-7 boys per weight station/machine. Horrible form everywhere.. not my problem but all I can do is watch.
Oh and my new favorite...kids making out on the weigh benches. Do not tell me to get mgmt... this is useless.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2026 08:26     Subject: It's amateur hour at the gym again
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We all had to start somewhere. But New Years Resolutions, for the love of god:

- DON'T COME LATE TO CLASSES (GO 10+ MINS EARLY)
- clean up after yourselves!!!!
- no perfume! no cologne!
- don't take cell phone conversations more than a minute




Plus, keep your crap contained. One guy (not new) at my gym has his water bottle on one machine, phone on another. He leaves towels wherever. Move your stuff! I just ask him if he's still still using that particular machine. He isn't.


OP here and it's exactly this. There are rules, there are customs. Don't be a bull in a china shop. Don't bring your giant duffel bag into a group fitness class--free lockers for exactly this purpose.

But if they take the time to go to the locker, they'll be late for class.
Seriously, is a duffel bag really interfering with your ability to exercise?


DP. So... then go earlier?

Yes, bringing big bags on the gym or class floor are in the way - and a hazard.

I'll never understand how common sense is so difficult for so many people.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 17:24     Subject: It's amateur hour at the gym again
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We all had to start somewhere. But New Years Resolutions, for the love of god:

- DON'T COME LATE TO CLASSES (GO 10+ MINS EARLY)
- clean up after yourselves!!!!
- no perfume! no cologne!
- don't take cell phone conversations more than a minute




Plus, keep your crap contained. One guy (not new) at my gym has his water bottle on one machine, phone on another. He leaves towels wherever. Move your stuff! I just ask him if he's still still using that particular machine. He isn't.


OP here and it's exactly this. There are rules, there are customs. Don't be a bull in a china shop. Don't bring your giant duffel bag into a group fitness class--free lockers for exactly this purpose.

But if they take the time to go to the locker, they'll be late for class.
Seriously, is a duffel bag really interfering with your ability to exercise?
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 17:20     Subject: It's amateur hour at the gym again
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Don’t worry OP, you’re still the most specialist and fittest and bestest woman of all!! How dare other people think they can do what YOU do?

(People who try to gatekeep the gym are obnoxious AHs, just to be clear)


Pretty much.

Maybe you should change gyms, OP, if yours does a special promo or whatever they do to attract new members every January.



I think OP should take January off from the gym. I'm sure since they're such a regular user, working out at home for a month won't be much of a set-back.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 17:17     Subject: It's amateur hour at the gym again
Anonymous wrote:I personally see worse behavior from regular gym goers. As someone who was a newbie a few years ago, the new people are all hiding on the treadmill, in the corner with dumbbells or wandering around the floor trying to figure out what to do. I was so anxious in the gym the first time I basically wanted to be invisible.


THIS!!!
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 17:15     Subject: It's amateur hour at the gym again
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We all had to start somewhere. But New Years Resolutions, for the love of god:

- DON'T COME LATE TO CLASSES (GO 10+ MINS EARLY)
- clean up after yourselves!!!!
- no perfume! no cologne!
- don't take cell phone conversations more than a minute




Plus, keep your crap contained. One guy (not new) at my gym has his water bottle on one machine, phone on another. He leaves towels wherever. Move your stuff! I just ask him if he's still still using that particular machine. He isn't.


OP here and it's exactly this. There are rules, there are customs. Don't be a bull in a china shop. Don't bring your giant duffel bag into a group fitness class--free lockers for exactly this purpose.


OP brought their duffel bag into a group class exactly a year ago, lol, and got side eye for it.


Nope been in gyms since the 80s. I've seen it all yet it never fails to amaze how crappy people can be to one another. Here's a scenario that happened pre-1/1: newbie in yin yoga wears flip flops into the designated-shoe free yoga studio. Long-time regular gently points it out. Newbie, who has been there a few times previously goes absolutely ape-shi(t and tears the poor older lady a new one. It was really a horrible interaction. Apparently newbie has some kind of foot issue and has received permission to wear her flipflops in the studio. Newbie later even escalates the interaction having the instructor take the older lady aside for a word. All this for following the rules. It's 15 effing paces from the shoe cubbies to the center of the yoga studio. She is the only person who wear shoes in the studio and new people walk in in shoes all the time. It's not a big deal--a regular notices and points out the shoe cubbies. People really suck sometimes and I hate to say in but in this case I think ethnicity played a role in the interaction.


People who do yoga are among the most rude you'll find. I'm not sure why exactly that is.


they're stressed. that's why they're coming for yoga.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 17:12     Subject: It's amateur hour at the gym again
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’m concerned about obesity and screen addiction in our country, so I don’t complain about people coming to the gym at any time, for any reason.

I’m a swimmer, and this is a very busy time of year, but I share a lane and am supportive of anyone who wants to join me in something that is healthy, fun, good for the soul, and a good way to occasionally chat with a neighbor.


True but still annoyed at the ones who decide to do a flailing backstroke breaststroke hybrid taking up the whole lane.


And this is what prevents some of us who need to exercise from going to do so. We don't want to look stupid or be judged by people like you.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 17:10     Subject: It's amateur hour at the gym again
Anonymous wrote:So annoying that in addition to crowds, that college students are trying out guest passes this week until they go back to school. They make gyms more crowded and keep showing up late to classes.


Yeah. hate it when more people try to get healthy. Fewer people to judge.
Anonymous
Post 01/12/2026 17:09     Subject: It's amateur hour at the gym again
Anonymous wrote:Anyone go to the gym today or yesterday? It's that time of year that regulars hate--today my classes were full with people barging into quiet classes 30 minutes late, tons of chit chat while the instructor instructed, full parking and so on. Gritting my teeth til February.


I don't condone arriving late and chit-chatting throughout if it disrupts the class. Too bad for you about the parking - geez. Nevertheless, just know that these people barging into your little bubble find you "regulars" just as annoying - judgy and arrogant. Maybe you were always perfectly fit and a great athlete; but if you were ever a beginner, maybe try remembering how intimidating it could be for a newbie. You don't own the gym. Gyms aren't just for people like you.
Anonymous
Post 01/11/2026 20:34     Subject: It's amateur hour at the gym again
So annoying that in addition to crowds, that college students are trying out guest passes this week until they go back to school. They make gyms more crowded and keep showing up late to classes.
Anonymous
Post 01/07/2026 16:08     Subject: It's amateur hour at the gym again
Sounds like newbie embarrassed herself by losing control.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 13:35     Subject: It's amateur hour at the gym again
Remember you were once that person who went to the gym to start getting healthy etc. Oh wait let me guess you have always been perfect.

Such unsupportive people here.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 13:26     Subject: It's amateur hour at the gym again
Gyms are booming more than ever honestly it’s a great to time to open a gym business wise. Gen Z is super into their health.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2026 13:25     Subject: Re:It's amateur hour at the gym again
It's always busy at the two One Life gyms I frequent. There weren't any newbies in class yesterday, but when I see them I go out of my way to make them feel welcome, and set up their area if needed. There is nothing worse than a regular who is rude to new comers.