Buzz
This time of year is far from ideal for a calm workout session. Gyms nationwide will be packed with enthusiastic individuals striving to stick to their New Year resolutions. Whether you're a newcomer or a regular gym-goer trying to maintain your routine, here are some tips to handle or avoid the crowds.
Identify (and Steer Clear of) Peak Hours
Every fitness center follows a predictable rhythm of busy and quiet periods. For instance, Monday evenings tend to be bustling, as people often lose their post-work exercise motivation as the week progresses.
The specific pattern will vary based on your gym's operating hours, location, and membership base, but fortunately, Google has already mapped this out for us. Check the peak hours for your gym on Google Maps and plan your workout schedule accordingly.
If Google lacks data for your gym, you can explore nearby gyms with similar patterns—or take the traditional approach and ask the staff about quieter periods. If your gym provides classes, inquire about the less crowded ones and consider giving them a try for variety.
Adjusting your routine can have its benefits. Organizing your workouts ensures they seamlessly fit into your daily life, and this is an ideal moment to establish a fresh schedule or reassess your current one. You might even discover that lunchtime workouts help you avoid crowds and become a new favorite.
Secure Your Equipment, But Be Courteous and Share
Getting to the gym is only the first step. The real challenge is accessing the equipment—whether it’s grabbing weights or securing a spot on the treadmill.
If cardio machines require signup sheets, head straight for them upon arrival to secure your slot. Use the waiting time wisely: change into your workout shoes if needed or begin warming up in another area of the gym.
Without official signups, you’ll need a strategic approach to secure the equipment you want. Position yourself where you can monitor the high-demand station while continuing your workout. For instance, if the squat rack is busy, lay a mat nearby and perform push-ups, planks, or plank variations while waiting. As soon as the rack is free, seize it. This tactic also applies to cardio machines. Use the stationary bike with shaky handles for intervals while waiting for a treadmill. Flexibility is key when time is limited.
Since securing equipment requires effort, choose wisely. Opting for equipment limited to a single exercise means you’ll soon be searching again, turning your quick workout into a frustrating ordeal.
My approach might stir debate, but here it is: prioritize stations versatile enough for multiple exercises. For example, a cable machine can accommodate numerous exercises, making it a prime choice. Bring dumbbells to expand your options without relocating. While some may view this as hoarding equipment, I see it as efficiency—freeing up space sooner.
Effective time management ensures you’re considerate. Even if you could spend 45 minutes in one spot, don’t. Instead, keep this segment quick and intense: alternate exercises targeting different muscle groups during rest periods. This superset approach makes time fly.
When others are clearly waiting, it’s courteous to communicate and share. If you and another gym-goer are eyeing the same equipment, you can both utilize it. Simply ask: “Mind if I work in?”
Here’s how it works. On most weight machines, you’ll complete a set of exercises, rest briefly, and then proceed to the next set. During your rest period, your new workout partner can take their turn, and vice versa. This method works for any station allowing quick transitions. A pull-up bar? Perfect. A barbell loaded with 300 pounds for you but only 100 for them? Not ideal.
Exercise at Home
If this seems overwhelming, there are alternatives. Your workout doesn’t have to be gym-bound! Consider this an opportunity for a temporary change of environment.
If you own a home gym, you’re already ahead. If you’ve been considering setting one up, now’s the perfect time. Additionally, there are countless workout options requiring just your body and minimal equipment. For example:
The Seven Minute Workout only needs a chair.
5BX, the classic fighter pilots’ routine, requires no equipment.
These 52 exercises are also completely equipment-free.
This towel workout simply requires, you guessed it, a towel.
You can even get fit using a door.
Yoga routines can build serious strength and are another fantastic option.
You can squeeze in an effective workout during a few minutes at the office.
These aren’t just mediocre alternatives: you can still build strength outside the gym. Focus on high-intensity intervals, challenging exercises, and proper form to create an impactful workout.
Take It Outside
It’s time to broaden your perspective: you don’t need to be confined to a gym or your home. There are plenty of outdoor fitness opportunities. While they may differ from your usual routine, the crowds will only last a few weeks—so why not embrace a change of pace?
If you’re in a cold climate, try traditional winter activities like ice skating or skiing. Even without a nearby ski slope, you might find cross-country skis for rent, allowing you to use the same trails you enjoyed during warmer months for running, biking, or hiking.
Shoveling snow doubles as an excellent workout. Essentially, you’re performing countless deadlifts while also completing a household task. Just remember to maintain proper form to avoid injury.
You can continue your warm-weather activities, though you may need to bundle up depending on the climate. Running, for instance, is perfectly feasible in colder temperatures. You can also perform strength exercises at a playground or explore a new sport, whether indoors or outdoors.
Regardless of how packed the gym gets, there are countless ways to break a sweat. You might even discover a new favorite workout among these alternatives.
Illustration by Tara Jacoby.
