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Embrace the New Year’s Gym Rush: Beginner’s Need Support

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I’ve been saying this for years, but you know they say you have to repeat things at least 3 times for them to sink in so I figured why not put it out there once again!

I LOVE the New Year’s rush at the gym.

Not everyone agrees with me, in fact, some of you have whole heartedly said you HATE my philosophy.

And I get that!

I remember the New Year’s slam at the gym and feeling frustrated because suddenly my quiet 5AM workout was filled with people who looked lost, confused and were often not actually working out.

So what changed?why we need to embrace the New Year's rush at the gym

A New Mindset

Why do I now embrace the crush every year? I realized it was an opportunity…

Favorite machine in use? Great reason to test out a brand new workout and build your strength.

Favorite class filled up? You’ve been saying you’d cross train for ages, now you can.

Feeling unmotivated? Helping someone get started on their journey is a fast way to renew your interest.

Cold weather weenie? Been sliding on to the treadmill more than you care to admit because of the weather, well the full treadmills might be the final push to get you back outside enjoying what winter running has to offer.

Everyone is always wishing for more workout buddies, running friends, people who didn’t think their desire to sweat was crazy…here is your chance to welcome new people to the sweat club.

Of course not everyone will stay.

BUT what if a few more people stick around because instead of feeling intimidated they felt welcomed?

You Were Once New Too

Maybe I also still remember being the newbie..it’s hard in any situation, but the gym can be intimidating on many levels from feeling out of the social loop to not know what to do, to judging yourself against those who look so insanely fit.

In fact, I wrote a whole post on why we should ALL continue to embrace being a beginner!

Enjoy the gym at New Year's with these tipsAll of that being said, I’m not a wacko! I’m busy and have stuff to get done, which simply means being smart.

I avoid going at peak times.
I look for what I can do outside the gym, if I know that I’m not in the spirit to embrace everyone.
I remember it’s a chance to cross train a little more.
I make friends.
I smile because it’s impossible to be upset when smiling.

It's time to reconsider your frustration at New Year's gym goers - be a support for newbies Click To Tweet

How do you feel about the New Year’s gym crowds?

How do you help new people feel more comfortable?

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Posted by amanda Categories: Funny Running, running coach, winter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. [email protected] pretty little grub says

    December 8, 2016 at 7:17 am

    I completely agree! Sure it’s busier and you can’t get in your usual workout but you have a great perspective to use that as a reason to change it up.
    I think we should always encourage anyone trying to make changes and get healthier/

  2. RHONDA @ CHANGE IN SECONDS says

    December 8, 2016 at 10:02 pm

    It’s definitely a crazy time of the year to be in the gym. We just focus on our goals, plug away and workout in the middle of the afternoon, less crowds. :)

  3. Laura says

    December 12, 2016 at 8:36 am

    Haha I can’t say I love the gym from January 1 to the end of February. I do wish more people stuck with their resolutions to be healthy though!

  4. Kat says

    December 12, 2016 at 12:04 pm

    I actually like the new year’s gym rush as well. For me, its more so because I love watching new people come in on fire to change their lives. It also gives me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and talk to these people – offering them help if they need it or just giving them a compliment. I love the chance to build people’s confidence – specifically gym newbies!

  5. Emily says

    December 12, 2016 at 2:11 pm

    I love this post!! I have always felt this way myself! Every effort for self improvement should be embraced, no matter what time of year!

  6. Sarah says

    December 12, 2016 at 4:08 pm

    I have to say I’m looking forward to the New Years rush at barre. I’ve only been at it a little over a week and 7 classes but the few classes that were packed seemed to be more high energy and the instructors even more pumped. It is a new studio and I’ve had a couple classes with only a 4 other students and it makes me feel a little more self conscious and less pumped for some reason. Still LOVE it though and I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone and decided to try it!

    • amanda says

      December 13, 2016 at 8:14 am

      You are so right Sarah!! the bigger classes do often mean more energy, which pushes me.

  7. Elizabeth Shaw says

    December 12, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    This is such a great campaign! I love how inclusive it is and the non judgement philosophy!

  8. Lindsay Cotter says

    December 12, 2016 at 7:30 pm

    I’m embracing the New Year’s rush as well! It’s a great opportunity to be an encouragement to others trying to meet their own fitness goals!

    • amanda says

      December 13, 2016 at 8:13 am

      That’s the perfect way to think of it!!

  9. Taylor Kiser says

    December 13, 2016 at 6:01 am

    What a great campaign at Planet Fitness! Having a gym that’s non-judgmental is so important for everyone – especially those just starting out on their fitness journey.

  10. Jenn says

    December 13, 2016 at 10:39 am

    What a great attitude to have! Definitely need to spread this message!

  11. Susie @ SuzLyfe says

    December 13, 2016 at 1:05 pm

    Embrace everyone! We all had to start somewhere, right? Why not see if we can make a new friend and help them transform their lives?

  12. Meg @ With Salt and Wit says

    December 13, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    This is great! Need to share the message for sure! I love this post!

  13. Julie @ Running in a Skirt says

    December 14, 2016 at 9:39 am

    I love this positive twist on the buys time at the gym. I used to dislike how busy it was, but I like how you put a positive spin on it!

  14. Alisa Fleming says

    December 14, 2016 at 10:06 am

    I have a love/hate with the New Year’s rush. I like to see people jumping in there, but after a week or two, I can’t wait for the February lull to hit! I’ve never lived near a Planet Fitness but have heard great things about them.

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Amanda Brooks : Run Coach
SHARE THE ONE that resonates most with you. 🏃‍♀️🏃🏾🏃🏽‍♂️
 
It’s true, I’ll never stop talking about the warm up 😂. But right now the idea that running is HOPEFUL really strikes a chord.💜
 
We show up mile after mile always looking to what’s ahead and what’s possible.
 
Which one hits home for you?
.
.
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#runningmotivation #runninginspiration #medalmonday #fitnessmemes #runningmemes #runningquotes #runnerslife #runnerlife
AVOID HITTING THE WALL (save this and review befor AVOID HITTING THE WALL (save this and review before races) -AKA  Bonking. UK friends giggle at that, but it’s a term just like fartlek.
.
It’s that painful moment when your mind tells your legs to stop and it feels like there’s nothing you can do to turn the tides. It leaves emotional scars!🥵
 
WHAT TO DO!
1️⃣Train differently - seems obvious, but consistent training that follows a plan which progressively and smartly builds your miles and strength and speed...ya it works.
 
2️⃣Fuel, fuel, fuel - force yourself to eat before races and long runs even if not hungry.
.
Starting fueling sooner than you think you need to and keep doing it. During races your body is running on more carbs and needs that steady flow of energy. 
.
🧠 Your brain functions on CARBS, stop depriving it or it will tell you to stop running. If food while running is an issue for you, checkout something like @genucan.
 
3️⃣Pacing - Stop going out too fast because you’re excited, it absolutely catches up to you. Ideal is even pacing start to finish.
 
4️⃣Pay attention to your brain. @fitzgerald.matt in How Bad Do You Want it does a great job of showing how the brain can limit performance if you don’t know what’s happening up there.
 
5️⃣Recover better - Stop over training and give your body tools to help it destress from all the work...the best one is SLEEP. I also love @resiliencecbd to help with nerves prior to a race and quality sleep during training.
 
❓❓Helpful?? Have more race day questions?? Or an epic story of hitting the wall?? I wanna know.❓❓
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.
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Thanks to @moxie82co for capturing this weird moment, it worked great for this post.
HIT THOSE HIPS!!! I’ve given you a couple hip mo HIT THOSE HIPS!!! I’ve given you a couple hip mobility workouts, now we add strength!
//
🥳For the next 30 days in the Virtual Run Club we’ll be going hard on all the pre-hab work for hips, glutes and abs. Because running isn’t just about the miles.
//
That’s one of the reasons I’ve been consistently doing @insidetracker bloodwork since 2015.
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It’s helped me identify low Vitamin D causing fatigue or catch my wayyy high cortisol to embrace easy runs as key part of the process.
📌 (Save this post because the last screen has a 25% off discount code and you can get free access to the 30 Day March Challenge.)
👉LINK IN BIO FOR BOTH
✅✅✅✅
3 CORE MOVES
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You can use these as a progression or do all three, they’ll target the hips, glutes and core in different ways with each variation.
 
Aim for 15 reps prior to a run or do multiple rounds as part of a workout!
 
1️⃣Side Plank Kneeling Hip Raise - Really focus on your core engaging to raise up and keeping your elbow under your shoulder.
 
2️⃣Side Plank Kneeling Leg Raise - Again core should be tight to keep hips lifted, not sagging towards the ground. Then focus on your hip and glute to raise the top leg.
 
3️⃣Straight Leg Side Plank Leg Raise - Engage the core to keep hips high and press the bottom foot in to the ground to really engage your glutes. Slow and steady to remain stable while raising and lowering top leg.
❓❓❓❓
Talk to me!!!
Who’s in for 10 min a day in March?
Who’s gotten blood work to improve their health?
Who’s excited it’s almost spring?
👉👉Me to all 3! And more info in stories!
 
 
 
#runtothefinish #insidetrackerpartner
RUN DAYS ARE THE BEST DAYS😊 I had training tips RUN DAYS ARE THE BEST DAYS😊 I had training tips planned to share today, but really just wanted to say I hope you get in some miles today and they make you smile.
 
Let go of the pace.
Let go of the distance.
Let go of HR for a day.
Just run.
We GET to.
 
Where in the world are you running today?
.
I’ll be embracing one warm day before snow here in Boulder, CO.
EMOJI POLL: Round or no? ⏰ give me whole numbers EMOJI POLL: Round or no?
⏰ give me whole numbers
👍wherever I stop, it stops
🙃I don’t use no stinking watch
||
THAT’S A LIE 😂. I can’t do it. I need the round number and when I get that close to a whole number...I need it!
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