Gym Etiquette

Whether you're new to a gym or a seasoned veteran, it might pay to review this list of common gym etiquette to ensure that you are not inadvertently labeled that guy or that gal that everyone points to and complains about in the gym.

Common Gym Courtesies

Cell Phone Usage
There is nothing more annoying than someone yapping on the phone rather than using the equipment. If you need to make a call, get off the gym floor and make your call. Unless you're waiting for an important call, it's recommended that you turn off your cell phone at the gym.

If you are expecting an important call, keep your phone on silent mode or put it on vibration mode. Others are trying to focus so be considerate and remember why you are at the gym... to work out!

Bringing your phone into the locker room and using is also bad etiquette. Why? Because the latest cell phone models have integrated cameras and video recorders and well, nobody wants their naked butt being blasted across the web.


No Foul Language
The gym is a public place. People of all ages, genders, religions and cultures might be present in the premises. Be respectful of the people around you and don't use foul language.


Do Not Bring Young Children
Unless the gym has child care services, do not bring your young children to the gym. The gym is not a playground and can be extremely dangerous.


Grunting
Occasional natural grunting under extremely lifting conditions may be acceptable in some hardcore gyms, but loud habitual or sudden outbursts are never acceptable. They are seen as rude, juvenile and egotistical. What it really says is ＆Look at me; I＊m a rude, inconsiderate novice＊.

Remember that the others around you are concentrating on their own workout and don't need to hear that loud guy screaming for attention.


Pick Up After Yourself
Unless you own the gym, you are a guest. This means you are one of the many using the gym. So be courteous to others and don't leave any water bottles, cans, food wrappers, towels, or any other items behind.

The same goes for the locker room. Keep your locker clean, orderly and don't leave anything lying around for the next guy. Your membership fee is for use of the apparatus; it is not for maid service.


Be Aware of the Workout Area
Do not exercise where others need to walk, at high traffic paths, entry areas in front of water stations, etc. Do not stand in front of the dumbbell rack or weight trees since other exercisers will need clearance to get and put away their dumbbells and weight plates.


Water Fountain Use
The water fountain is set up for drinking; not for spitting or to throw away your gum. Moreover, if there's a huge lineup at the water fountain, don't be disrespectful of others by filling up your water bottle. If you need to fill your water bottle, allow others behind you to use the water fountain first. Finish filling up your container after others have finished drinking.


Music
There's absolutely no problem with listening to music while working out but don't have it blasting so loudly through your headphones that those around you can hear the noise, and that you cannot answer others when they need to ask you if you are using a piece of equipment.

Also, unless you have a few Platinum albums under your belt, no karaoke, please!


Gym TV or Music System
If you do not like the choice of music or what is playing on TV, please ask others working out whether they mind if you request for a change. A safe choice is to bring your own headset and portable music or video player.


Mirrors
There are two things to know about mirrors. In most modern gyms, mirrors are everywhere. Mirrors are there for more than just vanity. Mirrors are there to help ensure you are using proper technique, so unless you are pressed up against one fixing your hair or checking yourself out, don't be afraid to use the mirrors.

Secondly, respect others who are also using them and try to avoid walking in front as they are performing their set. If you want to use a mirror, it's better to stand close to it so that your actions are unambiguous to the rest of the crowd. If you're looking at yourself in a mirror from across the room, don't get mad if someone passes in front of you.


Minimize What You Bring to the Gym Floor
Keep your stuff off the equipment and areas were people need to walk even if you are exercising right next to it. Leaving stuff around is rude, cause confusion (people do not know if the equipment is taken) and can also create a safety issue if left on the floor. Your stuff may also get stolen, too!


Do Not Be Late
For gym group classes, be it Yoga, Boxing or Pilates, be on time. Coming to class late disturbs others.



Gym Couture

Dress Appropriately
In some gyms, fashion may be the rule but in most gyms, clean workout clothes and gym shoes are all that is required. Note the emphasis on CLEAN.

Leave the cut off jeans, torn clothing, biker boots, stripper clothes, daisy duke shorts, ball huggers＊ shorts and pajama pants at home. Wearing non-workout clothes or dirty, ripped, or smelly clothes is poor gym etiquette.


Use Towels
Always have a towel handy, especially if you wear tank tops or sweat a lot. Some gyms provide towel service whilst others don't.

If your gym doesn't have towel service, ALWAYS bring a towel with you. Towels help keep your sweat to yourself, and help you avoid the sweat of others. There is nothing worse than lying on a piece of gym equipment with someone else's sweat all over it.

Most gyms have cleaning supplies located in the cardio area to wipe down your machine. Use them!


Control Offensive Body Odor
Exercising makes you sweat and perspiration causes body odor. In addition, the gym is crowded and in most cases you＊ll be working out in close proximity with others. Do everyone a favor and come to the gym showered and wear effective deodorant.

Smelling good is great, however, don＊t take this to the extreme. You＊re not going out clubbing, so do NOT douse yourself with cologne; overcompensation can be just as unpleasant for fellow members.


Germs
Wash hands to decrease the spread of germs after using the restroom, sneezing or coughing on your hand, and workouts. Also, wipe machines off before and after use.


Equipment Use

Observe Equipment Instructions and Warnings
Posted equipment instructions and warnings are there for your safety and also to protect the equipment from misuse. In many gyms, when equipment break down parts must be ordered and this means downtime. If you misuse the equipment and it breaks down, you are performing a disservice to the gym and to all the patrons who frequent the gym.


Use Equipment Correctly
Failure to use equipment correctly can damage the equipment, compromise your safety, and annoy others by creating noise.

Examples:
Do not slap feet on treadmill.
Do not bottom or top out on stair climber.
Do not bounce the bar of the Smith machine or slam the pads on the pec dec.
Do not bounce stacks on weight machines.
Don't Hog Equipment
Unless you are the sole member of the gym, sharing is mandatory. Let others work in with you between sets 每 you should be taking a quick rest anyway.

Always do your sets the way you have them planned, training efficiently. Rest, repeat, and move on. Also do not leave your towel on the machine and walk away to take an extended water break. You do not own the equipment and remember, everyone is on a schedule, not just you.


Sharing Equipment
If you would like to use a piece of equipment someone is using ask if you can work in between their sets. If the person says no, be patient.

There are some acceptable reasons for denying working in. Although everyone has different opinion as to what is acceptable for not allowing someone to work in (share), the following reasons are considered acceptable:
Two or more individuals already are exercising on the equipment.
A large number of free weights are already loaded onto the equipment.
The user is nearly finished, and has allowed the other person to use the equipment.

If someone does allow you to work in, try to set the apparatus adjustment back to where the other person had set them. If someone begins exercising on a weight apparatus while you were resting between your sets, you should say:
"I only have xx number of sets left on this machine. You may work in with me if you like."


Refrain from Supersetting in Prime Time
Should you want to do superset, arrive early or late enough so that you can do them without impacting others. If you want to do superset when others are present it is good etiquette to notify them so that they know. It is even better etiquette to let them use the equipment while you're busy elsewhere so they can work in.

Note: Superset is a term that refers to performing multiple exercises back to back without minimal rest.


Don't Bang the Weights
Do not slam the weights onto the equipment. This just makes you look inconsiderate and like a Class A idiot. Just don＊t do it! Enough said.


Don't Drop the Weights
As with grunting, just don't. Weights make a loud noise when dropped which can throw others off their workouts. Not only is dropping weights disrespectful to others but dropping the weights can damage the equipment, and the weights can roll or bounce and injure passerby.


Do Not be a Chatty Cathy
The gym is a place to work out. Do not be a tool and sit on a piece of machine and read the paper or chit chat. This inconsiderate behavior will only irritate other gym patrons who actually give a damn about their workout.


Don't be Clingy
Nothing annoys me more than someone who wants to work in with me when there are 5 other pieces of the same equipment unattended. If you are looking for a spot or need a spot, ask but do not ask to use the equipment that others are using if there are other identical pieces not being used. This is poor gym etiquette, and also seen as a bit weird, too!


Don't Claim Equipment
It is not proper gym etiquette to claim a piece of equipment by setting a towel or water bottle on or next to it.


Return the Equipment when Done
Whenever you use any gym equipment be considerate enough to put the equipment back where it belongs when you're done. The other gym members are here to train, not to participate in a scavenger hunt looking for plates, bars and other needed equipment. Additionally, it is not the attendants or other member's responsibility to put away your equipment.


Re-Rack Weights and Dumbbells Correctly
Sometimes the racks are full and disorganized so you can't place your weights in their proper spot, but you can at least place them somewhere on the rack or on the floor in front of where they should go.

Leaving dumbbells and plates un-racked in the middle of the room is unacceptable. This behavior is rude and may also create a tripping hazard for others. Failure to re-rack weights also creates other issues 每 others are uncertain if the weights are being used. So, be courteous and return all dumbbells and plates to their proper place or as close as possible to their proper place.


More on Rack Etiquette
Put plates back according to their weight (example: 45lb, 35lb, 25lb, 10lb, 5LF, 2.5LF). Do not mix plates on same storage bar. Replace dumbbells in order on rack, where they were intended to be stored.


Wipe the Machines after Use
Nothing is worse than walking to a machine and finding it covered with sweat. If you happen to sweat all over a piece of equipment, wipe it down, preferably using the disinfectant provided by the gym.


Observe Cardio Times
Most gyms usually set a 20 to 30 minutes time limit on the cardio machines. Some gyms may even limit cardio times to 15 minutes if someone is waiting. If your gym is not busy, stay on that machine as long as you like. But if people are waiting, respect the rules.


Be Courteous
Do NOT drape a towel over the timer or wear headphone or look straight ahead and act like you do not know that someone is waiting for the equipment. If you really want to have an extended cardio workout, avoid the gym during the busiest hours like the 5pm每7pm weekdays. If you are waiting for a machine, let others know but be courteous about it. Do not crowd the person. Where applicable, put your name on a reservation list.


Personal Trainers
Many gyms have rules against personal training clients (if you do not work for the gym) in their establishments. There may be good reason for it too, like insurance purpose. Proper gym etiquette is to speak to the club manager and get his or her approval if you wish to train others (as a business) in the gym.


Social Skills

Once you know how to handle the equipment, you need to hone your social skills. There are things you need to understand so you are not labeled as someone other gym patrons want to avoid.


Noise
Do not create excessive noise (example: chatter, whistling, singing, smacking your gum, grunting, etc). Excessive noise can be distracting to others and can also be the cause of injury.


Talk Sparingly
The gym is a place to work out and not a social club, as much as some people may think to the contrary. Conversations should be kept brief and limited to resting periods in between sets. Short discussions should be held out of the way so people can train without interruption. In addition, NEVER initiate conversations with people wearing headphones unless necessary (like asking them if they are on a particular piece of equipment). If people are wearing headphones there is a good chance they are wearing them so that they are not disturbed.


Interruptions
Do not interrupt a fitness instructor if he is conducting a personal training session or equipment orientation. Do not interrupt someone while they are performing their set or spotting someone else.

Do Not Initiate Conversation with Someone while They are Engaged in Resistance Training
The worst time to initiate a conversation is while someone is performing an exercise with weights. Not only can this be distracting and irritating to people who are serious about their training but this inconsiderate behavior can also distract them and increase risk of injury.


Don't Pressure Users
One thing you don't want to do is constantly ask people if they've finished using a machine when they're obviously still exercising on it. Wait for them to stop before asking. Ask only once. Do not tap your foot impatiently while waiting either, or give them dirty looks if they still have a few more sets to go.

On the flip side, if someone asks you how many sets more, do not respond in a rude way. Do not be an idiot and respond with 10 sets or reply I do not know. Be kind. Always quantify how many sets you have left and try to remember if the shoe was on the other foot what type of response you would prefer to hear.


Do Not Crowd Other Exercisers
Understand that some exercises require space (example: cable crossover machines, etc).


Staring
It is understood that at times the gym can be one big meat market. There is nothing wrong with noticing that beautiful physique walking by but don't make it a staring contest. Next time, use the mirrors at a 45 degree angle to check out that person who have caught your eye.


Giving Unsolicited Advice
Proper gym etiquette is to assume that NO ONE wants unsolicited advice. The advice you give should be limited to when you notice someone who's going to hurt himself. This does not mean, however, to ignore people whose body language indicates that they want assistance. Feel free to ask to assist anyone who appears to be struggling to figure out how to use an exercise machine.


Spotting
Limit the frequency you ask others for a spot. Utilize fitness staff before approaching a member you do not know for a spot. Only ask for a spot when you need one. Do not expect the spotter to assist you beyond one assisted repetition. The purpose of the spotter is not to do the work for you. If you cannot handle the weight by yourself lighten the load to a weight that you can handle.

Nothing spells amateur and clueless more than someone asking for a spot and then requiring the spotter to lift most of the weight for you. Additionally, if you're not strong enough to lift the weight, you are risking injury to the spotter and to yourself. On the flip side, if you see someone who is clearly lifting too much weight (this may become apparent when the barbell lands on his chest or when his face turns blue) please, give him a hand.


Locker Room Etiquette
Proper locker room etiquette includes the following:

Putting toiletries back where they belong immediately after you have used them so others can use them.

Wear towel in all public areas.

Not monopolizing mirror space, hair dryers or other accessories intended to be available for everyone's use.

Make bench space for others coming in.

Wiping up water you spilled around sink counter top.

Leaving the shower the way you found it.

Throw in towels into designated bins after use.

Remembering that naked persons always have the right of way!