It’s 2015, and the spring semester is officially here. I’m sure I’m not the only one disappointed that the holidays are over, but it is important to remember that the decisions we made while we were on break are sticking with us into the new year. For many individuals this new semester isn’t just another semester, it is the beginning of their year-long journey to better themselves.

As always, many people have made it their resolution to lose weight and get fit in 2015. Because of this there is a surge of newcomers to local gyms.

While it’s good people are looking to better themselves, they could not pick a worse month to start going to the gym. There are bound to be waits for most of the equipment, unracked weights, dirty machines or unwiped mats, and people in horrible moods.

There is a certain etiquette that gym frequenters follow. This etiquette consists of unspoken rules that are passed on from more experienced gym goers to people who are new to it.

During other months it is easy to learn from observation. Everyone else is re-racking their weights? I better too. Everyone else is cleaning their mat after ab workouts? Then I should too.

During January, that all changes. Some regulars have gotten sloppy. Some skip re-racking because they know how quickly the equipment will be used regardless. Some don’t wipe down machines or benches because as soon as they get up, someone else is sitting down.

There is no longer a solid etiquette in place. Because of that, new gym-goers have no one to learn from.

New people come in and slide from one machine to the next without cleaning their last one. Why bother if no one else is? If everyone is making the same mistakes, it becomes the norm.

All it takes to avoid most of these problems is a little courtesy and some common sense.

If you do that, we will all be able to have great workouts.

But now any time I want to work out during the month of January, I have three options: wake up ridiculously early, change my whole routine or wait around for equipment to become free. The only option that really works is the last, which I could probably handle if the equipment is actually being used.

However, seeing a person sit on a machine and start playing with their phone is going to drive me insane. Seeing a couple of bros sit around a bench and talk while cranking out one set every 10 minutes is going to drive me even more insane.

Both of these things can occur any other month, and it isn’t a big deal because other equipment is open. During January nothing is ever open, so the gym rats are going to be mad.

Now, that doesn’t mean I expect fights to start breaking out. I’ve personally never had an issue with anyone at any gym. However, everyone is remarkably nicer any other time of the year.

One of the keys to consistently working out is having a good environment that makes you want to go back day after day. For people just starting to work out, it is a tough enough thing to stay motivated. And adding a crowded, angry room is not going to help.

If you are serious about your resolution stick it out. By the first or second week of February, everything will be back to normal.