New Year, New Gym. How to Settle Yourself in Your New Workout Space.
Every new year that passes brings along a surge of new gym comers, some of which are dubbed the New Year’s Resolutionists. Often times we hear from the regulars, typically in regards to their ailments the with newcomers in the gym. Though some of these regulars may be sticklers in nature, some of these ailments don’t go without merit. That’s because gym etiquette isn’t ever explained to the newcomers, it’s usually something we find out with experience. But don’t let that intimidate you from joining a new gym.
Joining a new gym offers several benefits, including a new home for you to achieve your healthier lifestyle, new and enriching social connections, and never ending motivation, just to name a few. In order to enjoy all the above while blending in with your new environment, here are a few tips to help you settle yourself in your new workout space.
Be Courteous
Well, what exactly does it mean to be courteous in the gym? Typically, there will be several workout machines, weights, spaces, and other utilities in your gym. Keep in mind that often times some of these utilities may be in use. Therefore, it’s up to you to determine whether or not they are, and if you’re unsure, ask! You’ll also want to be wary of personal space as you’ll not want to crowd around others during a workout if it puts either you or them at risk for injury. If someone’s using a workout machine that you’d like to, and they’re taking an awfully long time, politely ask them if you’d be able to take turns working in with them. This is a great way to meet new people in the gym.
Pick Up After Yourself
This goes without saying, yet you’ll find in several gyms bench presses that haven’t been de-plated, scattered dumbbells on the gym floor, and used towels on workout equipment. If you find this unpleasant, chances are others will as well. If you’ve loaded weights onto a bench press, put the weights back at their designated locations after you’ve finished using the equipment. Place dumbbells back on their holding racks and clean your sweat off gym equipment once you’ve finished your workout. Though these gestures may seem small, they go a long way in showing others you care about their experience as well. Typically, the best gym members leave no trace of their presence in the gym.
Get to Know People
Just because you’re the new person in the gym, doesn’t mean you need to be a lone wolf in your journey to success. Some of the best experiences in your workout space will involve socializing with others. The gym is a great place to meet new people, so long as you’re not intruding on their workouts. You’ll find that many people in the gym have years of experience that they’re willing to share. We’ve all started somewhere, and many of us involved in health and wellness aim to help others and guide them in the right direction. It’s not only fulfilling for us, but for them as well. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to a few new people regularly.
Don’t Give Up
One of the most common criticisms of those who are just starting their fitness journey is the premature tendency to give up. Yes, pushing yourself beyond your physical limits is both uncomfortable and challenging. That said, the thrill of it and your progress will carry you to your next set of goals. It may seem challenging at first, but you’ll grow to love the process once you start seeing all of your hard work pay off. It’s all about consistency. If you can manage to establish a system that caters toward consistency, you have created an equation for success within the gym.
These are just a few ways in which you can help to settle yourself within your new workout space. By adhering to these tips, your new workout space may end up being your new home away from home. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people who have health goals and aspirations is never a bad thing, and this is what we strive to achieve with the DR1224 community. You’ll find that more often than not, people are willing to help you achieve your goals for 2019. Do you have any other strategies that have helped you settle in your new gym? Please let us know in the comments below!