Working Out in a Busy Gym: Advice for the New Year

It's that time of year. The calm before the storm. Everyone is busy with the holidays and the gym is looking pretty empty. Don't be fooled. Soon you won't even be able to find a free treadmill. You're just going to have to deal with it. Here's some basic advice to cope with the crowds.

Start Now

If you don't currently have a workout routine or program, start now. Don't wait until the 2023. You will be even more frustrated trying to adapt to a new routine or program in an over crowded gym.

Be Flexible

Make sure the aforementioned program has flexibility. Know the barbell, dumbbell, and machine variations for the exercise in your program.

If you have to use a heavier weight, do less reps. If you have to use a lighter weight, do more reps.

Simplify Your Workout

Try using just a few sets of dumbbells or kettlebells. The Smith-machine, bench press, and squat racks will have wait lines. There are usually multiple sets of dumbbells and kettlebells in a gym.

Take Mondays Off

Everyone's workout routine starts on Monday. Start yours on Tuesday. Make Monday your rest day. For me, it helps to mitigate the chaos that comes with Monday at work. Then think about coming into a mostly empty gym on the weekend.

Change Your Workout Time

Don't got to the gym at 5:00pm and expect it not to be crowded. Try going early in the morning. You might like it. If not you can adjust back to 5:00pm in mid-February.

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