2023 has finally made her grand appearance. With the arrival of a new year comes the familiar #NewYearNewMe trend. Although you can begin working on resolutions and goals at any time throughout the year, the beginning of a new year is a popular starting point for many.
With the rise of New Year’s resolutions, January is often a busy time for gyms as many new gym goers are beginning their fitness journeys. If you workout regularly, it’s okay to feel frustrated at the amount of gym newbies. More people can mean longer equipment wait times and other annoyances. But this does not give people the right to openly make fun of, be rude, or even film gym newbies.
Popular Tiktok creator Joey Swoll (@thejoeyswoll) has made multiple videos addressing rude or unfavorable behaviour in the gym. Just recently he called out a popular fitness Tiktok account that mocked beginner gym-goers for improper form.
Swoll raises some important points, discussing how the very same Tiktok account mocking fitness beginners has posted blog posts encouraging people to start their fitness journey. As Swoll mentions, gym anxiety is a real issue that most people face. The gym can be an intimidating place, and videos such as these can heavily deter people from pursuing their fitness goals.
People who start to workout for the first time are likely to struggle at first. Creating a fitness plan and learning certain exercises can be difficult. If you see someone at the gym who may be struggling with their form that might be a safety issue, don’t pull out your phone and record them. Instead, alert the gym staff who can lend a helping hand. If you feel like the person may be in immediate danger due to their form, then this would be a good time to intervene. If you see someone having issues using equipment, you can offer some guidance on how to properly use it.
If you’re a gym newbie, don’t let videos like this deter you from the gym. You have every right to be there, regardless of your fitness knowledge. If ever you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s better to receive guidance when it comes to certain exercises in order to avoid injury. You can also consult the internet for workout regimes, gym etiquette and other factors so you feel more comfortable in this new environment.
Remember, we’ve all been newbies at one point in our fitness journey. The gym should be a safe and accommodating place for everyone. So please, take it easy on the gym newbies.