Elizabeth looks very very much like the woman who was beside me in Body Jam class last night! If so, I really would love to hook up with her and do the gym thing together. I kicked myself when I left for being to shy to talk to her because we very much had the same physical make-up. Eilizabth, if you live in VA and go to the AmFam in Mechanicsville please email me! jphelton3@aol.com I’m the crazy lady who looked like an afflicted chicken trying to do the Body Jam dances last night with the Bodacious Tata’s t’shirt on. (From a breast cancer run)

I am a January Joiner too, but that has more to do with open enrollment at my place of employment! We get a HUGE discount signing up through work, instead of $480 for the year, its only $291 (for both my BF and myself). With a savings like that, even once a week of use by each of us makes it worth it and its a gym I used all the time when in school.
January Joiners are the people to talk to and encourage, keep them coming back 🙂

I suppose I was a “January Joiner” although I didn’t join a gym in January, 2010. I started going to my condo gym (I’ve since moved to a house and miss the gym, but don’t have time for a gym membership) and I did the Couch to 5K program from January to March of last year. I stuck with it and continued to commit to healthy living all of last year – I reduced and then completely eliminated meat from my diet, ran two 5Ks and an 8K, started road biking, and managed to work out four days a week (at least) for most of the year. Not everyone who makes a new year’s resolution is destined to fail at it!

This year, I’m not making a resolution because what I really want to do is continue on the path I started last January. I am planning to run a 10K in February and I’m already signed up for a 10 mile race and a half marathon (both firsts for me). I do want to lose weight because I’m still not down to my happy weight, but I feel like I already have the tools in place and I just need to keep doing what I’m doing. Oh, and I want to try Zumba.

There’s nothing wrong with turning over a new leaf in January! If I had a gym membership, I’d be encouraging all the newbies to do what I did – set frequent, small, achievable goals and use them as motivation to continue on a journey to healthy living.

I was a JJ of sorts in January 2009 – I joined a gym because of all the special promotions! I have always worked out pretty regularly, but that winter I needed special motivation and a new gym was it! I’m sure people thought at the time that I was a JJ (something that never crossed my mind until now) but honestly, I went several times a week until I moved in May 2010.

The lesson is that you don’t know who these people are or what their goals are – so don’t judge them – support them! Also, we all have the same goal – to get/stay healthy!

I was a January joiner but I never thought of it that way. It wasn’t because of new years or anything. It just happened to be January when I decided to lose the weight. I don’t think it’s necessary to be mean to January joiners, everyone started some where and they need encouragement too. (unless they’re walking at a turtles pace on a treadmill when there is a smaller track upstairs, then I might be irritated)

Caitlin! I was actually just going to do a post on this, since I work at the Y and all. And I especially wanted to let you know since I know you were looking for new ways to exercise.

For anyone living in/around the Charlotte area, they can attend the Y on ANY Tuesday of January for free and experience all of the amenities that normal members have access to (classes, pool, locker room and wellness center, steam room, track, weights, cardio machines.. the works). And what’s really neat is that on each of these “open house” day Tuesdays… you can pick up a 2-week free pass and have 2 weeks free worth of membership! If you’re interested but can’t make it this Tuesday (or any Tuesday, you can get more than one card and just activate it later, say in like, March!) Let me know and I can pick you up one (or however many you’d want). PS. I have zero ties to membership and only work in the health center.. so I have no way of benefiting from this at all! Just wanted to share the knowledge as I know these really, really cold months can be hard to get outside (and it helps with cross training and injury prevention!)

Wow–some of those stories are really inspirational. I think it’s hard to stay motivated as a healthy person at a normal weight-I can’t imagine having to slog through the cold weather, the darkness, etc., as someone just getting started on a plan. Thanks for sharing!

I think JJ get a pretty bad reputation. Sure, a bunch fade out but I’m sure a ton also stick with it. They may also just move around their time slots or find different things that work for them, so it’s wrong when people assume come February that they’ve quit. A great topic to bring up, Cailtin!

I haven’t really noticed an influx of new gym members this year! Maybe I’m just going at the right times during the day…? I don’t really mind January Joiners, though. Props to them for at least taking a step in the right direction for the new year.

As someone who used to be super intimidated by the weight machines and equipment, I try to be as friendly as possible to whoever is around. However, I do get totally annoyed (internally) when I get to the gym and can’t find any available machines. My solution to the crowds is to try and hit the gym at off-peak times – that means delaying my weekend workouts until after lunch (around 2pm) and during the week waiting until the “after work” crowd leaves (usually after 6pm at my gym).

I work out in a small gym at my job. We’re talking a gym that has 4 treadmills, 4 bikes, 1 of different weight machines, etc. So when you double the amount of people coming through there, it gets really difficult to get a solid workout in with the time you have. My main problem with the JJ’s is the serious lack of gym etiquette! It should be mandatory that once they pay their fee, they have a debriefing on how to be a good gym-goer. The other day I was doing ab work on a mat next to a machine when some girl comes up and says “I HAVE to use this machine. You HAVE to move” in the rudest tone ever. I looked at her and moved because I was totally taken by surprise, but I had a serious talking to myself conversation afterwards basically saying “Who does she think she is?” You can bet I won’t be so quiet the next time. The other thing that is super annoying is when people will sit on a machine and talk to whatever buddy they’ve brought with them, but not use the machine. If you ask if you can cut in, the immediate response is “I’m using this”. I walk away, but again have a nice conversation in my head “Well gee, I didn’t know your mouth was here for a workout”. I’m sure some people will argue that even regulars can exhibit this behavior, but 1) they’ve always asked someone to move out of the way politely and not in an OMG you have to move now tone and 2) if they have been talking with someone they’ll say something like “1 more set” and get right to working rather than continuing to sit and talk and monopolize a machine. Good gym etiquette goes a long way people!

I wish all the JJs could be like Jim. I like his line about earning respect when he’s still showing up to the gym in December!

I’m a regular now, and I jointed my gym in April 2009 (there was a deal, can’t beat that!). I think there’s a huge difference between JJs and “Resolutionaries”…The latter being the people who are like “I’m going to work out 18 times a week for an hour a time, and I’ll lose the 40 lbs I gained over the past 2 years in 2 months!!” They tend to be gone by March. They’re also the same ones who get on the treadmill, set it to 6.5 mph when they’ve never used it before and sound like an elephant on steroids. All I can think is “OMG, your KNEES!!!” (They also don’t wipe down the machines, and I really can’t stop myself from saying something about that.)

Great Topic!

I have been both: the January Joiner and also the member annoyed by all the JJs! In January of 2009, I decided “enough is enough” and started really hitting the gym and going to Weight Watchers meetings. I lost 50 pounds and for the first time, I really felt like an athlete! I remember in 2010 when the gym was flooded with JJs, I was so annoyed when classes were packed and you couldn’t find an open treadmill. But I had to remind myself that I had BEEN one of those people.

One trend I have noticed is how territorial group fitness participants are in the classes they attend, such as Zumba. The regulars want the front row. They stalk the room and as soon as the class before is out, they are in “their spot.” Some people even go so far as to tell others, “You can’t have that spot. It’s _____’s spot.” With this type of behavior, it is no wonder many people get overwhelmed and intimidated and quit.

I don’t know what the solution is. But I have tried to not let myself get annoyed, because I wasn’t just a January Joiner– I really stuck with it. And shouldn’t we root for all the JJ to succeed? I mean, we root for those people on The Biggest Loser… why don’t we root for them in our own towns? And gyms?

Wow. That sure was long-winded. Guess I had some strong feelings on that topic! 🙂

I wasn’t a JJ myself but my advice to them would to be social in the gym because I like meeting new friends!! As a fitness instructor I love welcoming new people and hearing about their goals, so my opinion is that JJs are always welcome! 🙂

I was a June Joiner (my birthday was june and I somehow lost my chin over the years. I want it back). I needed to read this post. Just last night, I was feeling annoyed and hemmed in with the sheer number of people at the gym. In the last six months, I’ve become mostly a morning exerciser because I discovered that I like being done with exercise before I really start my day and it makes me feel amazing. I’ve only 10lbs and my chin is still MIA, but I feel better and my measurements have changed. I will try to remember to be nice to the newbies because it wasn’t so long ago that I was in their shoes. Thanks for the reminder.

My main gripe with JJ’s is the full parking lot. Although, it forces me to walk further in the parking lot, so really I should be thanking them for the extra steps! As long as they are considerate and follow the rules, I have no problem with January Joiners!

I’m a January joiner and proof that some of us do stick it out! Still going strong after 2 years and more active than I’ve ever been!

I think JJ’s deserve MORE respect that the regulars… after all, isn’t it harder to go workout in a place where you’re uncomfortable and possibly feel like others are looking down at you? Props to them for even walking through the door.
I sometimes feel this way when I venture over to the free weight area where all the giant muscle heads are lifting. I do notice them staring at me with a mixture of amusement and annoyance. I realize that I am using an 8 pound dumbell and that was my intention!!!

I’m not a January Joiner, per say, but I am a January “get the hell back on it”. I’ve had a gym membership for a long while, years. (I’m afraid to give it up because I got such a great deal and I’ll lose that if I do!)
I’ve just been in a slump with my schedule since about October, then lost momentum and haven’t been since. I decided that if I don’t make the time, I will never have it.
So, this year, I’ve committed to running a 5k in March by doing the couch to 5k program, then continuing to stay active and hopefully have worked up to the LA Rock n Roll half marathon (which I wanted to do last year but got started too late) by October.
I also have convinced my mom to get into it with me and she’s committed to doing the same.

I was a January Joiner last year and stuck with it all year (some slackage in November and December, but there wasn’t a week I wasn’t there at least once).

I’m back strong again now and I like the energy the January Joiners have. Maybe a lot of them won’t stay, but their determination now helps remind me of what kept me going all through last year. Guess I’m co-opting some of their motivation?

What I would tell them is this: You have as much right to be at ANY place in the gym as anyone else there who’s paid the dues and fees. Don’t let the old-timers intimidate you from changing your life. THAT SAID, make an effor to learn gym etiquette, and treat everyone with respect. Most of the old-timers will respect and help you, too–when they find out you’re serious. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Thank you for this post! Everyone should remember they were once a newbie — January or not! Perhaps more people wouldn’t quit if they were treated with kindness and welcomed from the start!