GYM ETIQUETTE
Anytime you host groups of sweaty people together in small places, there are bound to be problems. We have all been the victim of Bad Gym Guy/Bad Gym Girl. You know the one: the smelly, chatty health club member who spreads his body filth all over the locker room and exercise equipment, with nary a care for anyone around them. Bad Gym Guy/Bad Gym Girl cuts the line, slams the weights, talks loudly on their cell phone and seems to be generally oblivious to the world around them. Here is my advice if you want to avoid him.
While it is perfectly acceptable to sweat, grunt and make mean faces while working out, there are a few behaviors that aren’t acceptable. So, I’ve compiled a list of what I find to be the most egregious breaches of gym etiquette. Take note, and try not to imitate the offenders.
Here It Is…
The Basics:
- Share. If you’re doing multiple sets on a machine, it’s common courtesy to let others work in during your rest periods.This may not always be praticle, but offer to share whenever you can.
- Clean Up After Yourself. My biggest peeve is when someone walks away from a machine, leaving a slimy pool of sweat behind. Thanks! Always bring a towel with you and wipe the machines down when you’re finished.
- Leave no trace. My second biggest peeve is the person who leaves five million pounds on the leg press machine.
I don’t know, maybe I look stronger than I am. The point is, always put your weights back when you’re finished.
- Dont hog the treadmill or other cario equipment. Many gyms have time limits on cardio machines during busy hours. There is a reason for that, and you should be courtesy to your fellow gym enthusiast. And throwing your towel over the display, doesn’t fool me or anyone else.
- Cover it up. I respect the confidence that allows some people to walk around the locker room naked. Know what else I respect? Seeing you wear a towel after your shower to keep the locker room a comfortable place for everyone. If you’re thinking of working out with out a shirt, think again, If your shorts barely skim the top of your thighs, maybe you could find another pair or at least refrain from bending over. I’m sure I’m not the only one who would prefer to work out without see and unnecessary amounts of not-yet-toned flesh
- Refrain from dousing yourself in perfume. As much as I don’t care for the smell of chocalate while I’m working out, the smell of perfumes and colognes are even more off-putting. The scent intesifies, mixes with sweat and chokes any within a few feet. The only thing you need to ensure you smell nice to those around you is to remembers deodorant. Any other product is overkill.
- Please do not blow your nose in the towels. To the people who blow their noses in the towels at the gym… PLEASE…. stop it……your grossing me out! I am witness to this strange , nasty phenomenon, performed by a select few. Now, I know you may have the urge to blow, but you know we keep tissues around the club for that JUST that purpose. What makes people think its no biggie to just blow your nose mucus into a towel provide to you by the gym. Ugh!!!!
- Cell Phones. As if gyms aren’t noisy enough, but with members talking on cell phones and MP3 players, the noise level can become a distraction – not to mention that fiddling with gadgets can create a safety problem. Are you here to exercise or chat?
Dear gym goer talking on your cell phone, it is not necessary to answer your cell phone just to tell someone you’ll call them back later. There is a service – sometimes referred to as an answering service or “voice mail” which will leave your caller an opportunity to leave any pertinent information they have in a “recorded message”
Gym Guy/Gym Girl talking on his/her cell phone at the gym, I understand from the business-like nature and frequency of your calls that you are probably a very important business person, or at least would love to come off that way while on the elliptical or treadmill machine at the gym.
I’d like to offer you a little advice, and this is merely a suggestion – you could make your business calls before or after your paltry 25-minute ellipticle/treadmill workout, which is made even less effective because one cannot properly both use a cardio machine and talk on the phone.
By scheduling your calls before or after your workout, your business partner or client would not have to hear you huffing and wheezing and panting between words like you are suffering for O2. Talking on your cell phone will not make your “butt” and smaller.
- Treat other the way you would like to be treated. Do not blabber on and on to others. Not everyon likes to be conversational while working out. Do not give advise to anyone unless they ask for it. They might know more than you and might feel offended.
Avoid staring at people regardless of if you find them attractive or feel envioius of their progress.
But do be sure to help anyone who needs it. If you see someone struggling with weights, hurry up and help them. You’d want the same if you were in trouble.
Ultimately, should you ever need help in rectifying the obnoxious behavior of another member or assistance in learning a new exercise, there is always a fitness floor attendant, manager, or personal trainer ready to assist you in anyway.
It’s comforting to keep in mind that others are probably just as nervous and self-conscious as yourself, so we can each do ourselves a favor and abide by the common sense rules of gym etiquette to promote a more enjoyable fitness atmosphere.
