• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The BarBend Logo in white.

BarBend

The Online Home for Strength Sports

  • News
    • CrossFit
    • Strongman
    • Bodybuilding
    • Powerlifting
    • Weightlifting
    • HYROX
  • Reviews
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Mini-Massage Guns
    • Supplements
      • Best Protein
        • Best Vegan Protein Powders
        • Best Whey Isolate Protein Powders
        • Best Mass Gainer
        • Best Protein Bars
      • Best Pre-Workouts
        • Best Pre-Workout for Women
        • Best Pre-Workouts for Men
        • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workouts
        • Strongest Pre-Workouts
      • Best Creatine
      • Best Electrolyte Supplements
      • Best Greens Powder
      • Best Meal Replacements
      • Best Nitric Oxide Supplements
      • Best Fat Burners
      • Individual Supplement Reviews
    • Cardio Equipment
      • Best Treadmills
      • Best Rowing Machines
      • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Ellipticals
      • Best Recumbent Bikes
      • Individual Cardio Equipment Reviews
    • Strength Equipment
      • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Weight Benches
      • Best Resistance Bands
      • Best Leg Extension Machines
      • Individual Strength Equipment Reviews
    • Apparel
      • Best Weightlifting Shoes
      • Best Cross Training Shoes
      • Best Running Shoes
      • Best Gym Shorts
    • Fitness Tech
      • Best Running Apps
      • Best Fitness Trackers
      • Best Workout Apps
      • Best Smart Scales
    • Support Gear
      • Best Lifting Straps
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Best Lifting Gloves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
  • Nutrition
    • Diets
      • Carb Cycling
      • Vertical Diet
      • Reverse Dieting
      • Carnivore Diet
      • Ketogenic Diet
      • Intermittent Fasting
      • IIFYM Diet
    • Muscle Gain
      • How to Dirty Bulk
      • Go From Cutting to Bulking
      • Eat These Carbs
      • How to Eat for Muscle
    • Fat Loss
      • Macros for Fat Loss
      • Calorie Deficits
      • Natural Fat Burners
      • Cut 2 Pounds Weekly
    • Supplement Guides
      • Pre-Workout
      • Whey Protein
      • Mass Gainers
      • Greens Powders
      • Creatine
      • BCAAs
    • Daily Protein Needs
    • Pre- and Post-Workout Nutrition
    • Foods With Creatine
    • Bulking Tips
  • Training
    • Exercise Guides
      • Deadlift
      • Bench Press
      • Back Squat
      • Overhead Press
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Shoulder Exercises
      • Chest Exercises
      • Ab Exercises
      • Quad Exercises
      • Biceps Exercises
    • Training Guides
      • Beginner’s Guide to the Gym
      • How to Build Muscle
      • Guide to Muscle Hypertrophy
      • How to Train on a Cut
    • Workouts
      • Back Workouts
      • At-Home Workouts
      • Chest & Back Workouts
      • Full-Body Workout
      • HIIT Workouts
      • Bodybuilding Workouts
      • Farmer’s Carry Workouts
    • Programs
      • 5×5 Program
      • Bodybuilding Programs
      • Push-Up Program
      • Pull-Up Program
      • 5/3/1 Program
      • Powerbuilding Program
      • German Volume Training
      • Build Your Own Program
  • Calculators
    • Protein Intake Calculator
    • Macros Calculator
    • BMR Calculator
    • Squat Calculator
    • Calorie Calculator
  • Community Forum
Home » News » Dear Lifting Community: It's Time to Lay Off the New Year's Resolution Crowd

Dear Lifting Community: It’s Time to Lay Off the New Year’s Resolution Crowd

Written by Jake Boly, CSCS
Last updated on July 20th, 2023

January 1st, a time for fresh starts and promises of a great new year. This date serves as a pivotal point for anyone who likes a squeaky clean date with a nice big “1” attached to it to start a new habit. In the gym setting, this is a major date for bringing in new folks to begin their fitness journey, or more generally, trying to create a positive workout change.

For the weathered lifter, this time of year can also be a period of frustration, which is my inspiration for writing this article. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I think it’s time we lay off the folks making “fitness” based resolutions. And before throwing our arms up, hear me out, and if at the end of this article you still disagree, then we’ll agree to disagree.

Everyone Starts Somewhere

If you have experience in the gym, then I understand the frustration of the influx of new gym attendees. They can get in the way, and use equipment you need, I get that side of the argument. But didn’t you begin somewhere? Didn’t you have a period of time when you stumbled around the gym trying your best to workout, while also not getting in the way, yet be completely oblivious when you actually were still getting in the way?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ellery Photos (@elleryphotos)

Honestly, the only difference in most cases between one’s beginner self and fitness resolution folks is the time of year chosen to start. Hell, maybe you were someone with a resolution in the past who ended up getting hooked. Either way, it doesn’t matter. This brings up my point of negativity, why are some so quick to be negative towards those starting now, as opposed to other times of the year?

If it’s only because it’s January 1st, then that’s a bullsh*t excuse to be negative towards someone new in the gym; there’s no right or wrong time to start. And for the negativity spurred because of others getting in the way, that’s equally BS. Globo gyms will always have a constant influx of folks due to their accessibility, cheaper prices (generally), and the more newbie friendly atmosphere. Times like January should be expected when signing up in this setting.

Niche strength sport gyms will see a smaller influx of resolution goers, but for folks who pick a sport specific gym to start, they should be welcomed with open arms. It can add depth within your smaller gym community, which is never a bad thing.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Convoy Strength (@convoy_strength)

How It Helps Strength Sports Grow

As weathered lifters, shouldn’t we encourage others to stick around in a hobby we’re so passionate about? After all, doing so will hold benefits for multiple reasons. More folks interested in fitness will benefit both gyms and coaches. This can improve gyms by bringing in more business, which can translate to better equipment for everyone. Then on the other hand, it can benefit coaches because it will help them grow professionally by increasing their experience. If you’re in the industry, then I’d feel pretty safe guessing that neither of these aspects bother you, even if some choose to not stick around long-term.

Another benefit that comes from fitness resolution folks is the depth they can add to strength sports. Will every person find a passion for a niche strength sport, no way, but there’s always the possibility that some will, and this can add an increased depth to a sport.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lift Lab (@lift_lab)

In my opinion, this is similar to the idea of those who could truly excel in something, but never find what it is, or have the opportunity to try it. More folks involved in strength sports will always be a good thing. Weightlifting, powerlifting, functional fitness are all currently growing, and it’s creating better resources, athletes, coaches, gyms, equipment, and knowledge across the board.

Obviously, not every fitness resolution will be stuck to, but that’s to be expected. For the small amount that do and try, I want to challenge you to welcome them. If you have the opportunity make someone feel excited to workout and become involved in your passion, then do it. If you feel frustrated at the gym, stop, breathe, and think back to when you first started. It will only benefit all parties involved. Enough with the negativity.

Editors note: This article is an op-ed. The views expressed herein and in the video are the authors and don’t necessarily reflect the views of BarBend. Claims, assertions, opinions, and quotes have been sourced exclusively by the author.

Feature image from @elleryphotos Instagram page. 

About Jake Boly, CSCS

Jake holds a Master's in Sports Science and a Bachelor's in Exercise Science. Jake formerly served as BarBend's Fitness and Training Editor.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Latest Reviews

Featured image for the Ironmaster Super Bench Pro V2 Review

Ironmaster Super Bench Pro V2 Review (2025): Our Expert’s New Favorite FID Bench

Titan T3 Power Rack Review

Titan T3 Power Rack Review (2025): An Expert-Approved Rig Beckoning to Budget-Minded Athletes

Our tester works out at the beach in preparation for the Rogue Resistance Bands Review

Rogue Resistance Bands Review (2025): Tested by a Certified Personal Trainer

Barbend tester Jake Herod works out on a Force USA Trainer

Force USA G3 Review (2025): Our Experts Tested This Compact All-In-One Rack for Small Home Gyms

BarBend

BarBend is an independent website. The views expressed on this site may come from individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of BarBend or any other organization. BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting.

  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Sections

  • CrossFit
  • Strongman
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Weightlifting
  • Reviews
  • Nutrition
  • Training

More

  • BarBend Newsletter
  • BarBend Podcast
  • The Ripped Report
  • 1RM Calculator
  • BMR Calculator
  • Macros Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Squat Calculator

Policies

  • Accessibility
  • Advice Disclaimer
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimers
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2025 · BarBend Inc · Sitemap