We are now one week into 2017 and I’ve already noticed quite a few changes within the fitness industry. For one, the gyms are definitely more crowded. Two – We are smoking busy! Most of our group classes are now at full capacity and our online training business is busier than ever. And third – Supplements and protein powders alike are selling out faster than an Instagram Bent-Over Ass Selfie Star looking for his or her next “like”.

Working in this industry for over a decade has allowed me to prepare myself as well as our year round clients for the New Year’s crowd. I already know to stay out of the gym during peak hours of operation for the entire month of January and beginning of February. I already know to send our clients an email ahead of time warning them of the rush and offering them alternative times to train at where I know the gym will be more quiet so that the service they receive is not devalued.  And I already know that this rush of New Year’s Resolutioners never lasts longer than 6 weeks so to just accept the craziness and ride out the wave until things settle down and return back to normal.

With that said, there are always a few people who do manage to make it past the 6 week point. And because you never know who these people are going to be, it’s important to encourage, respect and be courteous to all new gym members whether they become long term or not. I speak of this every year because I don’t believe that anyone should be made to feel like an outsider just because they have made a resolution within their own life to become more healthy and fit. Who are we to judge why or even when someone makes a decision to improve on their own physical appearance and better their overall wellbeing? Therefore I believe it’s necessary to show some compassion and support to our fellow workout virgins. The gym is already an intimidating place for many people who are not quite sure as to what they are doing. So rather than turn this experience into a negative one for everyone involved, why not become a leader and turn it into a positive one?

Teach Don’t Tease

There is nothing I hate more than a gym bully. These are the people who shame and ridicule people who are performing exercises incorrectly and usually with poor form. Some of these bullies go as far as to take videos of these people who are exercising incorrectly and post them online for their friends and strangers to watch. In my opinion this is completely unacceptable and should never be tolerated. When I see these videos appear in my news feed, I feel disgusted. They’re not funny, they’re cruel. Just imagine how you would feel if someone posted a video of you online making fun of your appearance and what you were doing without your knowledge. I bet that you would feel embarrassed and ashamed. Therefore don’t do it to others and don’t “Like” and encourage videos such as these that you see online. If you see someone who is struggling with a weight or performing an exercising incorrectly offer your assistance or seek out a personal trainer who is on the floor and ask them to go up and approach the person to offer some advice or their own assistance.

Be Helpful Not Hateful

Just as there is nothing I hate more than a gym bully, there is nothing that annoys me more than a self entitled person who lacks respect and common decency for others. I’ve never been annoyed with a new gym member or client unless they show a complete lack of respect to either myself or to others around them. I could careless if someone is doing an exercise that appears strange or bizarre to me. I do however become irritated when someone leaves their weights on a machine. I do get annoyed when someone sits on a piece of equipments for 10 minutes texting to their friends and updating their status online. And I get damn right mad when people are taking up precious gym space just so that they can take the perfect gym selfie. As pissed off as these actions may make me, I’ve learned to bite my tongue and deal with it (or rant about it an online blog or Facebook post). However never do I hate on anyone in particular in public. I never single anyone out or make someone feel small because I don’t approve of their actions. In my opinion it takes too much energy to be hateful. Therefore why bother?

Yes, I understand that the gyms are busier than usual during this time of year. So what? Deal with it. Alter your workout slightly, share the equipment accordingly and act like a decent human being appropriately. Life is too short to get caught up on these first world problems. If we can’t all learn to coexist peacefully in the gym then what hope do we have has a civilization to coexist peacefully in the world? You don’t have to like or even be friends with everyone that you encounter in life, but you can at least acknowledge that they exist and show some form of respect.

Go to the gym and focus on your own workouts. Don’t get caught up on what everyone else is doing. If you see someone who requires help, then help them. The extra two minutes you spend lending a helping hand will not take anything away from your own workout and will most likely make you feel like a better person.

Make 2017 your year to be a fitness leader and health educator. You don’t need to be big and muscular or lean and ripped to motivate and help inspire others to achieve their own health and fitness goals. You just need to have an understanding that everyone starts somewhere and therefore can use a little guidance, patience and support to get them moving along their way.

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove