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On January 1, swarms of newbies flock gyms around the country at 8 a.m.
The "New Year, New Me" vibe hangs in the air like thick smoke. The dissatisfaction of the regulars, who are now forced to kneecap supersets out of politeness, is palpable.
New Year's Resolutions are to blame.
You have to admire their ambition to develop and join the club you proudly represent, as much as you dread the January gym rush. (Plus, by mid-February, it'll be whittled down anyway.)
How many of us consider the new year to be a fresh start toward our ideal bodies? To better appreciate the rush, look at these ten New Year's resolve gym statistics.
Fitness-related Google searches rose in January, and gym membership levels increased.
Despite the 40,000-plus gyms dotted around the country, Americans have a history of being physically sedentary. According to studies, up to 80% of us do not receive enough exercise on a weekly basis.
As a result, it's no wonder that we turn to Google for more information about the journey ahead.
Fitness-related searches reached an all-time high in early January. Newcomers will find an abundance of tools to help them learn about workouts, protein supplements, and complex fitness lingo.
However, this huge interest in fitness does not necessarily translate into action. According to the IHRSA, only 10.8% of people will sign up for gym memberships in January.
In comparison, 14.3 percent of all UK inhabitants are members.
Despite having access to a gym 24 hours a day and an increase in motivation, just 18 percent of gym members (about 11 million people) will go on a regular basis.
Fifty percent of people make a resolution to do more exercise.
Physical activity and American culture have a difficult connection, to say the least. The average American walks 4,774 steps per day, which is 1,415 steps less than China, which is ranked first.
Despite this, the nation's health is harmed by more than just a lack of exercise.
Nearly 60% of Americans have a chronic condition, the majority of which are lifestyle diseases that can be managed with regular exercise (i.e., heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity).
Whether it's because of an eye-opening doctor's check-up, family pressure, or post-holiday weight gain, up to 50% of resolution-makers make exercise their top priority.
Of course, for those of us who are "shallower," the race for the ideal physique is fierce. Those aiming to bulk, shred, and get an early start on that summer physique are also part of the January brigade.
By February, 4 out of 5 people have abandoned their fitness routine. Resolutions for the New Year Entirely
The first few weeks of a new regimen are thrilling, and you can't wait to see the changes in the mirror and on the scale. However, by February 4, the majority of your comrades will have gone missing.
The obvious question is, "Why?" There are two reasons for this.
One: Habits are difficult to break and far more difficult to form. It takes 66 days on average for a behavior to become "automatic" (Like clockwork: Wake up, shower, go to the gym, etc.).
Making it to the 66-day milestone, though, is the most difficult challenge of all. By February 4 — day 35 — the thrill of daily workouts, gushing sweat, and sore muscles has faded.
Two: During the first six weeks of weight loss and lifting, results come astonishingly quickly. However, once the body has adjusted to the water loss and increased exercise, you will reach a plateau.
Plateaus are common and easy to conquer, but they are also where many newcomers give up.
4% of people fail to keep their New Year's resolutions while January Is Still Here
Only 20% of New Year's resolutions last beyond February. However, a staggering 4% of people will burn out before the end of January – something that few regulars worry about.
So, why do people quit their resolutions before they have an opportunity to succeed? The most likely explanations, which few are willing to admit, are as follows:
- When the number on the scale doesn't change after a treadmill session, rookies become disappointed.
- The January rush can be stressful, making people who are already anxious feel as though they are being watched.
- Exercise takes a toll on the body, and the soreness and weariness that follows a workout aren't always pleasant.
- Many people feel as though they don't belong even in the presence of serious lifters (Planet Fitness does get one thing right)
