Overcrowded Gym - here's a new one on me! (Page 2)

I actually got there the other mornign at 5:40am and the 6am spin class was already full and I had to wait fro equipment.  And...parking was a pain.  Apparently other people had the same idea as me- work out early in the morning to avoid the crowd- wrong.  It's still pretty busy at the butt crack of dawn.  Oh well- just a fwe more weeks and the crowd will thin

There is a silver lining!  With all these new members joining up, it will keep the rates lower at most gyms and eventually a lot of them will stop going even if they are still paying for the membership.  And some of them will stick with it and have a new, healthier lifestyle. 

Actually, I rarely get annoyed by overcrowding because I like to see people out there exercising.  I always try to to be friendly and smile at anyone who is trying to be healthier.  There is a guy I swim with who complains about the older people taking up space in the pool.  I think it is fabulous!  I don't care how slow they are going as long as they are out there trying!  It would be wonderful if everyone could be supportive and considerate of others who are exercising regardless of age, level of fitness or whether they just started because of a New Year's Resolution but I do understand how people can feel frustrated or annoyed when something is interferring with their workout.  My beef is with inconsiderate people - like the cell phone addict at my gym (don't get me started) - more then overcrowding or short-timers.

another way to look at valet parking is for folks who are on a tight schedule and find it's faster than driving around, parking all the way at the end of the lot, unloading bag, walking with heavy bag to door, etc, etc.    And for those folks who need handicapped spaces when they are full. 

My pool REDUCED its hours.  crap.  Now only open from 8-noon and 4-7pm on weekdays. Weekends like 9 to 4 or something, but usually dont' swim on weekends.

Unfortunately sleep is an important factor in my traning.  I told myself that i could take better care of myself this season by getting more sleep insterad of being tired all the time.  I can't justify waiting outside before the club opens- no thanks.  Instead I'll be taking Sherbet out on my lunch hour, once I don't have to use my lunch for PT or house hunting appts.

Don't jerk with the dounut people. They control more of your life than you think.

You mean yours pancho!!!

Smokeater - I agree with you that the tip cup at the Dunkin' Donuts is annoying.  I said if you are ever wondering if you should, then you should.  Obviously you're not wondering, and I agree with you on that one.

Time of day - I usually get there at 4:40am and leave around 6am when it's starting to get crowded.  I just go at night to take the kids or make up for a missed workout.

Here are some positives about my gym.  It's 24 hours.  It's enormous.  I mean really freaking big.  There is a 5 lane lap pool and a large zero depth "family" pool with two water slides -all indoors. There's another, larger pool with two more water slides outside for the summer.  The family pool is large enough to do laps in if you need to.  The indoor pool are is only 1/3 of the whole building.  They have a great kids' care center that is very secure - if I check the kids in my wife can't even check them out.  Computers, basketball gym, tv, play area, climbing tubes all in the kids area.  And women who actively play with the kids, not just sit back and chit chat.

Chris - I think the Kinder Care lot next door was even full.  It was nuts.  I would have loved to have run into you there.  I would have introduced you to my kids as the kind of stud triathlete their daddy hopes to be someday.

wow, I really have come to think more of all of you, its one thing to vent... but remember when you had no experience....when it was intimidating to step into the gym and it seemed like everyone knew what was going but you... the first time you jumped in a pool and eveyone was faster than you and you were sucking water almost drowning swimming a fifty??

chill out, relax, smile at the people that are just starting, take a couple minutes and show them how something works... be flexable, and remember when that was you.

if this was the first thing I read when I came to this site, or the tenth, I wouldnt still be around

just my 2 cents Jamie

Jamie, this is from my original post.

Another side note, I don't want this to be a "bashing the newcomers" thread because I still consider myself one in many ways.  It's more a case of amazement at the difference in numbers over the last few months compared to now.