I’ve gotten a lot of guest post emails lately. I normally don’t post them unless I’m away or too busy to write but this one from The Training Room caught my eye. Lately I’ve been noticing a bunch of people at my gym that do silly things that drive me crazy. I workout at a gym where they have to remind people to wear deodorant, so you can only imagine what else happens there. My biggest pet peeve though is unsolicited advice (see personal protocol below). The following guest post goes over some general guidelines for gym goers on what to do and not to do in the gym. There is such a thing as gym etiquette!
Workout etiquette; are you in the right?
For the first few months of the year gyms and health clubs up and down the country will be packed to the rafters with people clinging on to their healthy routines and resolutions. You might consider yourself an exercise aficionado or you may be one of those with just good intentions. Either way there are some important guidelines in terms of gym etiquette that you should always adhere to.
Whether unwritten rules or part of the “bible” for fitness fanatics undertaking their personal trainer qualifications, always be mindful and make sure you’re not in the wrong.
Clean up after yourself
This should always be rule number one. Imagine finally being able to get a spot on a machine in a packed gym only to sit down and find the seat covered in the sweat of the previous user. Always carry a sweat towel whenever you work out and remember to use it.
Share
Hogging the equipment is a sure fire way to frustrate all those other gym users around you. Everyone pays a membership fee and has a right to use the equipment – the gym isn’t simply tailored for your exact needs. At busy times many health clubs operate a policy of half an hour workouts on cardio machines like cross trainers and exercise bikes. If that’s the case stick to it; and don’t leave your towel on a piece of equipment expecting it still to be free when you get back.
Put things away
If you use some free weights put them away after you’ve used them. Think about your frustration when you want to use something and you have to search the entire gym floor to find it.
Personal Protocol
We all go to gyms and health clubs for the equipment. Otherwise we’d be pounding the pavement or heading down to our local park. But proper gym etiquette isn’t just about how you use the facilities. There’s also a personal protocol that you should always try and adhere to. Obvious things like keeping your mobile switched off and your iPod volume to a minimum are too often ignored, as is not sharing the water fountain.
However, one of the biggest problems is individuals offering unsolicited advice. Unless you’re a certified personal trainer, don’t go around correcting other people’s form without their permission. If anyone asks you for advice, don’t give it unless you’re absolutely sure. Any wrong suggestions could result in another person injuring themselves.
None of these should be news to anyone who’s ever stepped into a gym or health club; and if they are the culprit could be you. Step up your game. It’s better for everyone.
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WHAT? Remind people to wear DEODORANT? In a gym? OMG I cannot imagine the nastiness. Cannot.
I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit O_O
I live in Vienna,Austria and people do not use deodorant at the gym (I’ve been to several), I don’t know if it is cultural or what but I’ve walked out of fitness class because of the terrible smell from the class before., and they do not encourage using deodorant even after my complains to the management. I used to workout in Geneva, Switzerland and It was never an issue… hopefullly things get better at your gym!
Maybe it’s a cultural thing? I’ve literally had to walk out of the weight room and hold my breath before when some of these dudes have passed by. It’s awful. I totally understand why people complained and management put up signs. It’s just… BAD.
Karina, I used to live in Wien (Vienna), also, and can confirm this dilemma! So strange! I remember being on the U-Bahn in the summers, & there would be no where to sit, so people would hang on above & if you were sitting below, WOW you got quite a surprise for your nose~!
Wow you should try giving this protocol to my gym
I agree with all these.
I dislike having to wait for stretching mats because people use them to rest.
I agree 100% on all accounts. Also, that’s so absolutely gross about the deodorant thing. That’s basically something that all people should just KNOW and DO whether they attend a gym or not.
Mary – those are GREAT TIPS for workout etiquette! Love it!! :)
I’ve been seeing a lot of posts like this over the last 2 months, probably because so many new people start up at this time of year.
I try to go at hours when its not so busy to avoid having to wait for the equipment I want, but sometimes its not possible to get in then. Luckily the gym I go to is huge and has tons of equipment so waits tend to be short even when its packed to the rafters.
Deodorant is a must! And for the ladies, a spritz of body spray is not the same thing!
Great post Mary! I’ve been going to the same gym for a year now and the January rush has made all of the issues you outlined even more apparent. It’s incredibly frustrating to watch one guy hog the 40, 50, and 60 barbells because he’s doing a super set. Even worse when I asked one guy if I could rotate in with one of the two he wasn’t using and do a quick set he rudely dismissed me and said he needed them all. He needed all three. One two use and two to sit on the floor and be stared at for the next 10 minutes. Now I get that you may need to have a bunch of different weights close at hand, but hogging all three and refusing to share is ridiculous.
I wish every gym would have this politely posted in the change room or at the front desk.
After reading what goes on in public gyms I am glad I prefer working out at home. Will I always enjoy training at home alone? That is a question only I can answer; however, it is true that most people who get hooked on fitness continue to exercise on a regular basis for the rest of their lives, in the gym or at home.