3 Ways to Benefit From A Crowded Gym

January is always the busiest time of year for gyms and whether you are a year round gym bunny, a new year’s resolution addition or anything in-between it can also be stressful and just plain annoying. However there can be some benefits to an influx of people and a crowded gym if you take a moment to think about the fact that everyone is ultimately there for the same purpose: to exercise. Here are three ways in which you may be able to benefit from the situation:

1. Try something new. Instead of getting frustrated that all the machines you typically use are taken or you cannot find the right size weight for the exercise you want to do use this as an opportunity to do a new or different exercise than you are used to. Even a novice in the gym can quickly realize another option to work the muscle group you want. If the chest press bench is taken grab a matt and do some push-up variations. If the squat bars are in use grab a bosu and some hand weights and try squatting with more focus on your balance and core.
   
2. Watch and learn. You’ve now got exponential more people around you and many of them will be doing exercises you may not already be doing or are not aware of. Take a few minutes to watch others as they perform exercises and learn something new from them. You will easily be able to locate people who clearly have a good grasp on their workouts, so pay attention to their form, notice the combination of exercises they do as they go through their workout. Just ensure you do this in a respectful manner, there is a big difference between noticing someone to learn what they are doing than doing so in a manner that may make them uncomfortable.
   
3. Make a new friend. Many people are motivated by working out with a partner and now you’ve got an increase of people around you who may have the same interests and goals as you do. It’s Ok to ask someone for a spot, to check your form or what they are doing if they are performing an exercise you have not done before. Most people don’t mind lending a helping hand for a minute, and though there may be some who do just move on from them and don’t let it discourage you from trying a different person. Whether you make a new friend for 30 seconds or start a new gym friendship chances are you will learn something, get a better set completed or just have a nice interaction.