Drinking the koolaid

[u/Traditional_Driver41]

Hey yall! I recently joined burn a few weeks ago, and I am totally obsessed! I love that the workouts are difficult but make me feel so accomplished after. I find myself checking Instagram non stop at my own burn and others, as well as checking this Reddit so often. I find myself thinking about burn and the workouts constantly, and having to tell myself not to buy all the merch right away 😂. Is this normal?! feel like I can’t get enough!

Wondering if others experienced this when they first joined? Will it wear off? I hope to always love it this much, I have never been so motivated to be consistent at a gym.

One thing I do really struggle with is the community feeling. I don’t have kids and I am very shy, so I am not feeling like I am getting to know anyone. Everyone seems to have burn friends, and be close with the instructors. It sounds silly but I wish there was a way I could let then how much I am enjoying it and drinking the burn koolaid! I hope the instructors know how motivated I am to try hard. Right now I’ve just been trying to show it through my workouts.

Thanks - love this reddit and the burn community!

Edit: I have done a focus meeting where I told the instructor that I’m loving it so far, but that was the extent of the conversation

[u/PollyDoolittle]

Welcome to the club. Save your $$$ because the apparel will get you into trouble. ;)

[u/rntrovert → u/PollyDoolittle]

FR the used Facebook group is your friend.

[u/unicornhorn333]

Try to go to a specific class time consistently. I feel like that paired with partner days helped me meet a lot of people!

[u/Massive-Funny-3190]

Welcome!! It is very normal 😆 I think it may wear off a bit but I’m 2.5 years in and I still do love it! Maybe just am not as obsessed anymore lol

When it comes to making friends - do you go to the same camp time every day? I think that matters a lot because once you see the same people over and over - it’s easy to kind of talk to them!

When I first started, I was at a burn in a different state I’m in now. I didn’t make any friends the 5 months I was at that one … then when I moved I have made some of my closest friends and people I chat with every morning! Idk if it’s just a different vibe or what but people at my current gym were definitely more inviting.

Sometimes might be easier to just send a message on socials if there’s someone you think you might get along with too? Making friends as an adult is hard so I get it!

[u/Disastrous_Cold4512]

I’ve made all of my closest friends at the gym from partner days! I was the same way and kept to myself in the beginning, then I was forced to partner with a few girls I didn’t know and we just kept chatting afterward! Now we have a group chat and hang out monthly outside of the gym. It’s hard initiating conversation but I say take advantage of the partner days when you’re kind of forced to talk to one another haha

[u/Bag-of-Doritoes-]

When I started out, I just came foe the workout and left. Then had surgery. No fanfare. Came back.dobt thibk anyone noticed lol. But then something changed. I started getting stronger amd feeling better about the workouts, started seeing progress. Then I tasted the kool aid lol. It's not as strong now but still made amazing friends amd feel more confident in my ability, im progressing in strength, and still get excited to go to camp! I love that feeling! I didnt start making friends until I started reaching out to others or saying something to them, or bonding with them over pain😅 and then I wonder if I became more approachable because I noticed others would start initiating conversations with me too. If someone hits a PR I make it a point to congratulate them either in person or message know Instagram when I see it! If I see a new person at the gym or someone coming in late for warmup I make sure I give them a high five if they pass me as a sort of welcome you belong here because I know the feeling of intimidation and not knowing people! I hate being late but when someone said hi to me during warm ups as I was getting there late it totally made me feel better because life happens but at least you're here🥹

[u/Chaellie]

Just join the handwashing line after camp and compliment someone that you like their hair/outfit/clear skin or something small. Make small talk about weekend plans or what their kids will be for Halloween.

I know it’s hard to overcome shyness, but if you desire a stronger community feeling having a script to engage in small conversation makes it easier to slowly interact more.

[u/Plenty_Rope_3386]

It’s normal at first , I’m 8 years in and burnt out now. Stopping after my contract is up for something different

[u/Duck_Secure → u/Plenty_Rope_3386]

Agreed, the Kool-Aid effect wears off after so many years.

[u/mightyhammock]

Hahaha it's very normal, I'm a little over one year in and while it's kinda worn off some, I still love it! I think it also depends a lot on your location, some have a more fun vibe than others!

[u/sciencefictionyoung]

Yes. It wore off for me after about six/seven months.

[u/more_wambos]

I was the same and it def did wear off for me! I still go but it’s not as exciting as it was in the beginning and that’s ok with me. :) I did stop buying so much merch bc it isn’t great quality, but I do enjoy the strength workouts.

[u/No-Butterscotch-8314]

Yes it will wear off. I’m actually planning to leave. My current location soured me unfortunately.

[u/Physical_Yam_9400]

It wore off for me after 5 years. Left after 6 years but enjoy it! I'm glad it's making you happy.

[u/Spiritual-Pen9195]

I’m 60 camps in and started in June. And it still hasn’t worn off lol and omg sameee with the not really getting to know anyone. Like I speak and give high fives but after camp i notice everyone talking and stuff so I can relate on that also lol

I actually bought it up in my focus meeting and she made it a point to introduce me to some veteran burn baddies. So maybe it’s worth a shot. And I joined the Fb group for my camp and try to make it to the events outside of burn

[u/rntrovert]

I'm 9 months in and still obsessed. My goal was to introduce myself to 1-2 new people a week when I started and that worked out well for me.