Why Are Gyms So Busy on Mondays? (Here’s 3 Reasons Why!)

I can guarantee that if you walk into a gym on a Monday, anywhere in the world, it’s likely to be one of the busiest gym days of the week.

In fact, it often feels impossible to get a decent workout in or use the equipment that you want on a Monday.

So, why exactly are Mondays so busy at the gym?

After some careful consideration, and further research, I shall reveal all now.

The Number ONE Reason Gyms Are So Busy on Mondays

The main reason that gyms are so busy on Mondays is that many people are trying to “rectify” their weekend. Many of us tend to be more lazy, eat more, and perhaps enjoy a few alcoholic drinks over the weekend. This can actually lead to guilt or shame for some people. Therefore, a Monday gym session is a great way to shake off the weekend cobwebs and start the week the right way.

The Busiest Gym Times Infographic

Repair the Weekend “Damage”

There’s always going to be a difference between recreational gym-goers and serious trainees.

What I mean by this is that the vast majority of people who go to the gym are typically there because they feel as though they have to be.

So, going to the gym is a way to stay fit, healthy, and keep yourself in shape.

Many of us don’t really want to go, but we feel as though we should.

Don’t get wrong, for anyone who’s started out at the gym like this, they have probably learned to both love and enjoy their workouts (well, most of the time).

That being said, there are those who are extremely serious about their training.

In fact, much of their life revolves around producing that perfect physique, training hard, eating right, and resting as required.

However, I would hazard a guess that many of the first type of trainees, the recreational gym-goers, make a beeline for the gym on a Monday.

Why?

Basically, many of us spend the weekend “enjoying ourselves” and overindulging.

And why shouldn’t you?

You’ve had a long, tough week at work, so the weekend is the perfect opportunity to let your hair down.

So, you eat what you want and you spend much of your time lazing about on the couch.

And of course, no Friday and Saturday night would be complete without you falling through your front door, kebab in hand, at 2am, completely intoxicated on beer, wine, or whatever your tipple happens to be.

Hey who am I to judge, as I’ve been there many times before.

However, this “free-for-all” attitude at the weekend can often lead to guilt or shame.

Then again, perhaps it just leaves you feeling devoid of energy on Monday morning.

So, what you’ll often find is that many “weekend warriors” flock to the gym in their droves on a Monday.

The aim is to brush those cobwebs away, hopefully flush that alcohol out of your system, and start to feel like a real living human being once more.

Therefore, if your gym is packed on a Monday with people in a zombie-looking state, well you know why now!

Start the Week With a Bang

I guess this is fairly similar to what I’ve just spoken.

However, this doesn’t focus so much on a “heavy weekend”, LOL!

Basically, the most popular training schedules are typically either 3, 4, or 5 days a week.

Now, I know that many people have their own way of training, but often the 3,4,5 day training protocols are as follows:

• 3-Day – Monday, Wednesday, Friday
• 4-Day – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
• 5-Day – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

In other words, most people will want to get their workouts in during the working week, and then totally relax at the weekends.

As I say, this isn’t always the case.

In fact, I generally perform a 5-day training schedule by hitting Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

I then take a day off on Thursday, before finishing off my week by training on Friday and Saturday.

But, as I say, everyone’s different, although I would think that the vast majority of people like to get their workouts in during the weekdays.

Therefore, once more, by the time Monday comes around it’s the start of a new week.

You’ve had a day or two off from the gym, but you want to start your week with a bang.

So, that Monday workout helps you to focus on everything you need to do in the week ahead.

I would also say that we view Monday as the start of the week, and this is often when we make decisions about “changing our lives”.

You know what I mean, we’ve all at one time or another said, “I’ll start from Monday”.

The Best 5-Day Workout Split For Muscle Growth

Monday is “International Chest Day” Bro

Now, although I say this with a little tongue-in-cheek, there is a great deal of truth to it.

In fact, I have even previously written about why Monday is considered “International Chest Day”.

Nevertheless, if you enter any gym in the land on a Monday you’ll no doubt see a queue of “bro’s” all congregating around the power racks.

Oh yes, it’s Monday, so you MUST train chest.

I would hazard a guess that many of the people who train their chest on Monday follow a “bro-split”.

And a typical bro-split will probably look something like this:

• Monday – Chest
• Tuesday – Legs
• Wednesday – Back
• Thursday – Shoulders
• Friday – Arms

Furthermore, many bro-split trainees have a preference for chest and arm days.

Not everyone you understand, but I would think a large percentage of bro-split trainees enjoy training these two body parts the most.

And, of course, training chest is the ultimate workout for the week.

Let’s face facts, most of us on the first day we ever entered a gym probably made our way over to the bench press area.

It’s just the thing to do.

Plus, a well-developed and muscular chest is typically seen as a sign of ultimate masculinity.

I mean your chest is probably the first thing that most people notice about you, especially a well-trained and hulking chest.

Once more, this is usually seen as a great way to start the week.

And what better way to ensure that you have a fantastic week of working out by training your favourite body part on day one.

Next time you’re in the gym on a Monday make a mental note of just how many guys are actually training their chest, especially the bench press.

Final Thoughts

So, the main reasons that the gyms are so busy on Mondays are:

• People want to repair some of the damage done from the weekend. Whether it’s from eating out, drinking lots of alcohol, or just being lazy.
• Mondays are typically viewed as the start of the week. And what better way to start your week by focusing on your health and going to the gym.
• International Chest Day for “bro-lifters” will always be MONDAY. You’ve gotta get into the gym and train your favourite body part.

Next, not something that often happens on a Monday (as it’s chest day, LOL), but discover what you should do if all the squat racks are taken.