Every day people are left annoyed, frustrated or
even just plain grossed out by those who commit gym sins - choosing to
disregard the spoken and unspoken customs of good manners and proper behaviour.
We spoke to some keen gym goers and PT’s from gyms in Rayleigh Essex and put together the top 15 gym etiquette rules that you
need to know to stop you from becoming the person that nobody wants to share a
gym with!
1)
Wipe Down Equipment – After you have had your turn on a machine, bench
or mat then be sure to use your towel or available cleaning products such as
blue paper towels or antibacterial spray to clean and wipe down the equipment
you have been sweating on.
2)
Ask – If someone is in front of or near a piece of
equipment, they might be doing sets and are just taking a quick break. Be sure
to politely ask if they are using it before you jump on in.
3)
Put Stuff Back – This is one of the biggest bug
bears of gym goers. People using dumbbells and other equipment and leaving them
lying round when they are done with them. Not only is this potentially
dangerous having them randomly left on the floor but means that people often
can’t find what they are looking for when they need it.
4)
Photos – Be mindful that if you are
taking a video of your routine or a quick gym selfie, most people don’t want to
be in the background of your latest social media photo. Be considerate and try
to make sure it’s just you in the shot.
5)
Personal Hygiene –People sweat in gyms of course, that is what they are
designed for! However, don’t neglect to use the right deodorants and
antiperspirants before exercising, nobody should have to put up with a
stranger’s body odour!
6)
Hogging Equipment – You are there to get your workout done and that’s fine, but
be reasonable with equipment and don’t be a hogger! You can’t expect to do sets
using 4 different machines and for nobody to use them in between.
7)
Talking – A friendly ‘hello’ or ‘are you using that?’ is absolutely
fine and if someone else initiates conversation, then feel free to chat but
nobody wants to be stuck talking to someone for ages when they just want to
work out.
8)
Your Belongings – Keep your belongings with you and out of the way. It’s so infuriating
when someone leaves their water bottle and phone on a bench you want to use
whilst they’re on a different machine. Also, don’t be the person that takes a
giant bag into a crowded gym, that’s what the locker rooms are for!
9)
Space – Always be conscious of the amount of space you are taking
up and your proximity to others. Don’t stand right in front of the weight rack
to work out or right next to someone that’s trying to perfect their deadlift,
it’s not safe and it’s annoying to the other person.
10) Sat Not
Working Out – At peak times
some machines, equipment and even floor space can be limited. Taking a quick
check of your texts or email in-between sets is fine but don’t sit on a machine
for ages just looking at your phone, someone could be waiting to use it.
11) Overloading
Weights– Just because you can
lift a lot of weights doesn’t mean that everyone can. If you are loading up the
leg press or bars with multiple heavy plates, then you should be removing them
after.
12) Keep
it to Yourself – Unless someone
is actually going to hurt themselves then your unsolicited advice is not needed
and will likely just annoy or embarrass them.
13) Changing
Rooms – If you are showering or
getting naked then be aware that not everyone will feel comfortable with it,
you aren’t at home. Get washed, get dry, get dressed – no need to walk around
for ages with everything on display. Also be considerate of spraying deodorants
too close to others and don’t hog all the bench space.
14) Illness
– You might feel like the best way to help get over
your cold is a good sweat but don’t be that person. Nobody wants your contagious
germs all over their equipment so keep yourself at home when you are sick and
if you really need to exercise go for a walk.
15) Be
Respectful – Laughing at, talking about or being
disrespectful of other members because of their weight, clothing or workout
style is unacceptable. Everybody in a gym is self-conscious and working hard to
try to be their best self so be kind, you never know what inner battles people
are facing.
Most of these gym etiquette rules are just
common sense and the same rules that people would generally apply in everyday
life. Clean up after yourself, be considerate of others, be polite and don’t
annoy everyone around you!
