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Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012
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 2012-01-02 8:08 AM |
Champion  11641      Fairport, NY |  Subject: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012
During the coming weeks we will be seeing posts from people making observations about their gyms, particularly how crowded they are with new people. A few years back I posted the following in response to some of those observations. It has become something of a tradition that I re-post it in order to add a little perspective to what will surely be stressful and inconvenient in the coming weeks for many of us.
Suddenly we have to add 30 minutes to our scheduled gym time because of the "resolutionists". There are no parking places. When you do manage to find one and get to the locker room 10 minutes behind schedule, there aren't any lockers available and the door is blocked by someone trying to remember the way to the weight room. In there, the machines you need to use are all occupied by people in new track suits pushing too much weight with truly horrible form. The bubbler is blocked by someone who is trying hard not to look totally out of their element. You can't get in the pool because it's jammed with people using pull buoys on their arms and kickboards as flotation devices. Half the lanes have people with no goggles and baggy swim trunks down to their knees who can't swim an entire lap. The whole freakin' place is filled with... beginners. It's one of my favorite sights. I've never been in a place more full of hope than a gym during the first week of January. It's a place full of people giving action to their dreams. People who for that day are making an effort to be fit, to improve themselves, to live a better quality of life. The effort and courage it takes them to get there that morning is huge. It certainly exceeds what it takes me. I know where everything is. I know the pool etiquette. I know what my workout is going to be and how to use the machines. I'm not the least bit embarrassed to take my shirt off in the locker room. This is routine for me. These new people will be showing a lot of courage and determination by going to the gym in the next few weeks and they'll deserve my respect. They'll get it. It wasn't that long ago that I was one of them. During the next few weeks I'll be making an effort to help some of these people feel a little less uncomfortable. Maybe make eye contact with some of them, be ready to give a nod or say hello. Once we're halfway into February, the crowds will be gone. Parking will be easy. Machines will be available again. The wait at the pool will go away. We know this. We're endurance athletes. We know the reward that comes from sticking through the hard parts. And from helping others through them. |
| 2012-01-02 8:28 AM in reply to: #3965955 |
Extreme Veteran 371 | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 Ummm ... after 4 years I'm STILL embarrased to take off my shirt in the locker room! |
| 2012-01-02 8:31 AM in reply to: #3965955 |
Extreme Veteran 555 Carrollton, TX | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 Thanks for (re)posting. A lot of us are type As who are frustrated by inefficiency, but knowing that at least a few of these folks will stick to a healthy lifestyle is worth a little inconvenience. |
| 2012-01-02 8:32 AM in reply to: #3965955 |
Regular 57 Saipan, MP | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 Haha! I have actually avoided the gym these few days for this reason! I'm new to tri-training, but not the gym. I love my 5am gym time because it's so quiet and I can just get lost in my workout without feeling like someone is hovering around to use the machine, or watching me jog... But you're right - what a positive position to take on the new "beginners"! Today is my last day off work, so I took the day off the gym as well. But I'll be there bright and early again tomorrow! Perhaps I can smile at a newbie, too!
Edited by Veggie Kate 2012-01-02 8:33 AM |
| 2012-01-02 9:36 AM in reply to: #3965955 |
Expert 1544 Alexandria, MN | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 Being new to the site this past year, I've yet to see this post. Thanks for showing me a more positive, helpful way to look at the crowding that will occur at the gym over the next few weeks! |
| 2012-01-02 11:56 AM in reply to: #3965955 |
Master 1883 San Antone, Texas | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 Here, here! remembering this post will help me not be so frustrated. Or possibly just avoid the gym for a few weeks until it clears out again  |
| 2012-01-02 12:01 PM in reply to: #3965955 |
| Leesburg, | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 I saw a chunky young woman in the locker room at the University gym where I swim. She was getting dressed and looked absolutely TERRIFIED to be semi-naked. I really felt for her. (Being a 60 year old woman in a university gym poses its own particular challenges.) |
| 2012-01-02 12:08 PM in reply to: #3965955 |
Pro 4174 Keller, Texas | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 Where is the Like button |
| 2012-01-02 12:35 PM in reply to: #3965955 |
Expert 916 San mateo California | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 It is about time we take the time and encourage these people.. The ones that are serious will stay and might become really good training partners, the ones that aren't will simple leave soon enough and you will be on higher ground.. I love to encourage newbies, being an egotistic triathelte simply makes you a A**hole!! Have fun and encourage someone to begin the their journey toward fitness.. |
| 2012-01-02 1:01 PM in reply to: #3965955 |
| Member 129 | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 Thanks for posting this! I so needed an attitude adjustment after the craziness at the gym today. Well said! What a great reminder that everyone starts somewhere and how overwhelming those first visits to the gym can be. |
| 2012-01-02 6:51 PM in reply to: #3966418 |
Expert 2373 Floriduh | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 velasqu7 - 2012-01-02 12:35 PM ... being an egotistic triathelte simply makes you a A**hole!!
+1, Most of us have been there before in one shape or another. With that said, I'm going to the pool at 9 pm tomorrow night. Edited by Oysterboy 2012-01-02 6:53 PM |
| 2012-01-02 7:34 PM in reply to: #3965955 |
Expert 1074 Tyrone, Georgia | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 Thanks for posting, I was aggravated today at the gym for my swim. I will "try" and remember this tomorrow when I go back to the pool. |
| 2012-01-02 8:03 PM in reply to: #3965955 |
Veteran 136 Orlando, FL | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 Great post - good reminder! I couldn't believe the number of people in the pool today ... BUT it was just last year that I was one of those resolutionists" determined to swim in the mornings before work (I'd been training consistently but never swimming in the a.m.) and someone said something about me being just that, a "resolutionist." I was annoyed - wanted to say, "wait a minute, this is my second tri season." But it was true, it was a resolution ... many of us start that way, so we need patience and to encourage others in their pursuits ... who knows, maybe they'll stick with it. |
| 2012-01-02 9:02 PM in reply to: #3965955 |
Veteran 221 | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 Thanks for the post. The flood gates of "resolutionists" were wide open today. Wait in the locker room. Wait at the pool. Wait for an exercise bike (why didn't I just go for a ride?...Doh!) and wait for a dreadmill. This too shall pass. They were me a few years ago. The insecurities (stilll), the fumbling (sometimes). A few weeks ago I stepped onto a dreadmill some knucklehead left running. Hopefully they will figure out gym etiquette before too long-or before somebody gets hurt. |
| 2012-01-02 9:14 PM in reply to: #3965955 |
Veteran 294 Germantown, WI | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 "The bubbler is blocked by someone who is trying hard not to look totally out of their element."
Besides the great points made, I am glad to see use of the word "bubbler." |
| 2012-01-02 9:52 PM in reply to: #3965955 |
Veteran 294 Mission Viejo, | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 Good reading, that is! A little patience can go a long way, help a newbie out. Everyone here was new and inexperienced at some point in time. I never offer up an unsolicited opinion or advice at the gym, but am more then willing to help when asked. I have been fortunate to have some great advice along the way, much of which came from this site! Coach "Be more concerned with your character then your reputation. Your reputation is what others think you are, your character is what you actually are" John Wooden |
| 2012-01-02 9:52 PM in reply to: #3965955 |
Master 1686 Royersford, PA | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 Welcome everyone. To the folks on the bikes next to me in cycle class afraid to ask how to set up, to the folks on the machines trying to figure out how to get it working, to the folks in the pool fighting their way through their first non stop laps, welcome. We were all in your shoes at some point, so feel free to ask us for help and advice. Remember it is not a competition with your neighbor, work to your ability level not your neighbor's. It takes some time to get in shape, but don't get discouraged the results come fast when you are starting out if you survive those first couple weeks. Here is to your success and hoping you can complain about the newbies next year! Enjoy the ride! |
| 2012-01-03 6:48 AM in reply to: #3965955 |
Master 6834 Englewood, Florida | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 Thank you. All of us would benefit from an outlook of hope and kindness. And mostly one of helpfulness. We all were beginners at one point or another, and keeping in mind that someone once patiently helped me figure out what I was doing has helped me keep perspective. And this is not just at the gym or in the pool, but everywhere in life. Thanks again for the reminder |
| 2012-01-03 7:10 AM in reply to: #3965955 |
| Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 marmadaddy - 2012-01-02 9:08 AM
... The bubbler is blocked by someone who is trying hard not to look totally out of their element. Someone did their school years near Milwaukee Yeah, pool was overly crowded today. |
| 2012-01-03 8:20 AM in reply to: #3965955 |
Science Nerd 28760 Redwood City, California | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 I love this post every year! I'm not sure how I've missed the use of the term "bubbler" previously, but it makes me very happy as a native Milwaukeean. |
| 2012-01-03 8:55 AM in reply to: #3967549 |
Champion 11641 Fairport, NY | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 DanielG - 2012-01-03 8:10 AM marmadaddy - 2012-01-02 9:08 AM Someone did their school years near Milwaukee
... The bubbler is blocked by someone who is trying hard not to look totally out of their element. Yeah, pool was overly crowded today. Nope. From Boston. |
| 2012-01-03 10:44 AM in reply to: #3965955 |
Expert 1244 | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 between the revolutionists and the weather the gym was slammed yesterday |
| 2012-01-03 10:46 AM in reply to: #3967759 |
| Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 marmadaddy - 2012-01-03 9:55 AM DanielG - 2012-01-03 8:10 AM marmadaddy - 2012-01-02 9:08 AM Someone did their school years near Milwaukee
... The bubbler is blocked by someone who is trying hard not to look totally out of their element. Yeah, pool was overly crowded today. Nope. From Boston. Wow. Never heard it from anyone raised away from Milwaukee. Interesting |
| 2012-01-03 10:48 AM in reply to: #3965955 |
Expert 1074 Madison, MS | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 What he said. I am often guilty of thinking unkind thoughts about the newbies at the gym. Thanks for reminding me that undertaking a new exercise regimen is difficult and uncomfortable for many folks, and I need to be the better person and encourage them along their jouney. |
| 2012-01-03 1:40 PM in reply to: #3965955 |
Expert 1168 Vancouver (not Canada) Washington (not D.C.) | Subject: RE: Crowded Pools and Gyms - 2012 I just happened to switch which 24 hour fitness that I go to last week and even it felt really awkward for me. I'm sure people will think I'm a resolutionist but that is fine, especially if they are take your advice. It took me way longer than usual at 5:00 AM to figure out which locker to use and then I couldn't turn on the water (yes I shower before my swim). It was great though that people were friendly and made me feel welcome. Actually met another guy who is doing Ironman Canada this summer so that was a bonus. |
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