Heshie Brody knows what to expect at his local gym in January. Yet every year, the software engineer is surprised by the volume of new faces and level of chaos.
"It's packed. Your favorite locker is taken. The treadmills are full. You have to wait in line for the shower," Brody, 29, said of his gym in Brooklyn, N.Y. It's difficult to empathize, he said, when he knows many of the newcomers won't be back.
"Listen, I respect Not pu your New Year's resolution," Brody said. "But I'll be impressed if you're still showing up in February." At gyms across America, regulars are holding their breath for the end of the January rush.
Year after year, Americans add "fitness" to their list of New Year's resolutions. Exercising more was the most popular resolution made this year, according to a nationwide survey by the Health & Fitness Association (HFA).
They've shown up in force. At 24 Hour Fitness, one of the largest gym chains in the U.S., foot traffic in January has already exceeded forecasts.
For gyms, it's a windfall. For fitness buffs, it's a nightmare.
Marlena Rodriguez, umped 30, visits her local Crunch in Fort Myers, Fla., most days to lift weights or spin. During the month of January, she's lucky if she can find parking.
Classes are booked. And securing a spot on a machine becomes a competitive sport of its own. "Suddenly, everyone wants to work out. It's really frustrating when you go every day," said Rodriguez, an insurance professional.
And it's not just the number of people. It's what they do.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 14, 2025-Ausgabe von The Wall Street Journal.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January 14, 2025-Ausgabe von The Wall Street Journal.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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