Gym Guide: How To Navigate January Crowds

A line for the showers, no available locker (or parking spot!) in sight and a waitlist for the treadmill that's longer than the time you're allowed to spend on it. It must be January at the gym!

About 15 percent of people who make New Year's resolutions vow to get fit, WebMD reports. In many cases, that means shelling out for a new gym membership (or swearing to make better use of an existing one), which often results in packed locker rooms and long lines for ellipticals. "Usage can increase by 25 percent during January," Lisa Hufcut, director of public relations of New York Sports Clubs, told The Huffington Post.

But according to TIME, the crowds of "resolutionaries" usually drop off around mid-February, and 60 percent of gym memberships go unused.

If you're a regular gym-goer, the next few weeks can be frustrating, but at least you can assume that, come Valentine's Day, your fitness routine will pretty much return to normal. If you find yourself thrown off in the meantime, here are a few things you can do.

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Comments

[Al Schrader]

05:33 AM on 01/07/2012

Buy your own equipment...Al-

[Uditha Abeywickrema]

11:23 PM on 01/06/2012

Walking ( not "power-walking" ) is the best exercise - free, and air to breathe while enjoying the twitter of birds and the sights of Nature. Gym odors can be dangerous to your health. Yoga is for meditation, not exercise. Do what comes naturally!

[marcarvel]

10:52 PM on 01/06/2012

Gyms are OBSOLETE, why spend all that money, it is a waste, you can buy the INSANITY VIDEO and in your own home work out and get REAL RESULTS. Besides GYMs are very dishonest people, like car dealers in my opinion. Germs also are a concern and gas and time, which sucks. Try Insanity and Asylum, those will kick your butt. So if you want a change in your body go for it but if not go to the Gym and keep those extra pounds. Portion control is a key also, a major key.

[spitfiredd]

09:04 AM on 01/10/2012

Gym's aren't people....

[marcarvel]

11:41 AM on 01/10/2012

Exactly.

[nemo1967]

09:56 PM on 01/06/2012

I AM HARD OF HEARING/VISUALLY IMPAIRED WITH ASL DISABLED.. I LIKE TREADMIL WALK :)))))))) GOOD FOR HEART AND DIABETES SOON I GOING TO UCP/NYC TEAM RACE WALK FOR THE DISABLED THIS JUNE..LET SEE FOR EVENT WENT... PEOPLE ARE LAZIER HATE GYM AND EATING "SUGAR COATING" AND OBESITY :(( BAD HEART...WE NEED TO DO....

[ajaynejr]

09:49 PM on 01/06/2012

Doesn't most of your body have to be exposed to the sun to get the daily amount of Vitamin D in 15 minutes? So going for a winter jog won't produce the Vitamin D.

[cromleygd]

12:52 AM on 01/07/2012

Most Doctors recommend taking calcium tabs with vitamin D tabs. These work together to strengthen your bones and is very important for older people.

[cara4u]

08:33 PM on 01/06/2012

wow i never knew that after all these years...

[Dan Buckles]

08:16 PM on 01/06/2012

At 24 hour they don't put the weights away. They allow people to bring in their bags and drop them on the floor as they work out. They don't make people use towels so the benches and equipment have sweat all over them, until you wipe it off. The equipment is broken and need of repair. The people working their really don't care because they are just low wage kids without any work ethic. They allow people to sit around and look at their phones until you ask them to move or finish their workout. The people working their won't ask people to leave when they are throwing weights on the ground and acting out. It's a mess..............I'm waitng for LA Fitness to come to town.

[priiincess]

11:21 PM on 01/06/2012

ewwwwwwwwwwwwww man, that place sounds gross !!

[elvirawalker]

08:10 PM on 01/06/2012

I am not worried. They will fall off, after, the excitement wears off. Always happens.

[twowhitedogs]

07:55 PM on 01/06/2012

Do what I do, go at 5am. January is always busier, by February, most have quit and you're back in business.....lol

[Sabrae]

06:12 PM on 01/06/2012

You don't need a gym. A set of hand weights, resistance bands and your living room floor will get you just as fit.

Also, the people in the photo are too heavy to run. Their knees are going to give them problems later in life. Lose a bit, then run.

[twowhitedogs]

07:57 PM on 01/06/2012

No way will a set of hand weights and resistance bands will get you just as fit as a fully stocked gym. They will get you toned, but they won't get you jacked! And if the people in the photo stick to a tight diet, they will drop weight quickly. They're knees will be just fine.

[Lisita RockZ]

03:26 PM on 01/06/2012

I was a January 25 years ago, and still going strong. Exercise IS "Godly" as i believe it is good for the spirit---It boosts my endorphin levels, therefore making it more likely I will "Sing a new song to the Lord"(i.e., get rid of old baggage of negativity)---and despite religiosity, you can be an atheist and still need this chemical boost that makes you a great person to live with and be around. So SKRU the "heathen" comment below, and wake up the Holy Spirit, LOL!

[Lisita RockZ]

03:27 PM on 01/06/2012

I meant to say: I was a January *STARTER* 25 years ago

[kapelusprime]

02:56 PM on 01/06/2012

Thank you Jenn for #4 and #2, two of my biggest dislikes. I don't mind dumbells in front of the mirrors, I just hate when peolpe stand infront of the rack mirrors or not. Why are many bitching about new people for? They don't last and are buying you new equipment. They don't stick around to to see it show up and mess it up.

[Michael Kaskel]

02:33 PM on 01/06/2012

I hate the January people.
"We know you are not committed to going every day, stop wasting my space and go get a taco."

[spikeritz]

02:47 PM on 01/06/2012

You got that right big Mike! The best this is to out last these fools. They are usually gone between week three and six. They almost never have any motivation and real stamina it requires to train properly. They find out it is hard work and they just don't want to go there! Great comment Brother!

[twowhitedogs]

08:01 PM on 01/06/2012

Hey, lighten up. Atleast they are trying. It's not easy and many will fail but atleast they try. It's not just YOUR space. If they paid their dues, it is THEIR space too!

[gr8bsn]

02:27 PM on 01/06/2012

Don't go. You don't need a gym to get into great shape.

[Phoenix Lee]

02:15 PM on 01/06/2012

bodily exercise profits little but godliness is great gain [timothy 1;3 8] gyms are for the heathen they like noise, crowds, ego bashes. selah

[twowhitedogs]

08:05 PM on 01/06/2012

I like the gym and I am no heathen. I dont' like loud noise or crowds. Get your head out of your butt. The bible teaches you not to judge, yes? And yet you judge. Great work!