Gym Etiquette Dos and Don'ts of using
a gym
Believe it or not, like a fine dining
restaurant, all gyms have their own etiquette that need to be followed. Sure, the social graces expected in a gym
are a bit different, but manners are important just the same. By coming to a gym, you are sharing the space and equipment with
other people. The basic rule to remember is "Do unto others what you would want
others do unto you".
Everyone who uses a gym is expected to be well versed in the rituals and customs that are
unique to gyms so as to avoid being
someone's gym nightmare and save oneself from embarrassment. Once
you learn how you're expected to act, you'll feel a lot more at home in your club.
Listed below are some of the common dos
and don'ts of using a gym, but they all boil down to: common sense and common courtesy.
Do put your weights away after use.
Put
plates and free weights back where they belong. Can you imagine a heavy lifting guy
leaving a huge amount of weight on a bar and having a petite lady come by and want to use
the equipment. It is also dangerous to all users. Pretending to forget and having
employees to replace the weights for you is inconsiderate.
Do not hog
the machine.
If you are
in-between sets on a machine, it is a good opportunity to let the others to use the
machine. Similarly, if you wish to alternate with someone, be polite and ask to alternate
with them. Do not jump right in. Also limit your use on the cardiovascular equipment,
especially during peak hours.
Don't drop or bang the weights.
It will shorten the equipment life span
and the flooring, and is irritating.
Don't socialize excessively
during your workout.
It's a gym, mind you, not a pub. That long chitchats you're having with someone between sets extends
your time on that piece of machine a great deal. Others may be waiting to use it.
Don't offer unsolicited advice.
Unless you see somebody who is doing
something wrong and you are an expert yourself, be very careful how you approach him and
always be pleasant when giving advise
Don't let your children enter the gym.
They gym is a potentially hazardous place
if not careful, even to adults. Be a responsible parent and keep your children out of the
gym.
Do carry a towel and wipe off any bench or machine you use.
Would you like to pick up a slippery weight or lying down in a
stranger's pool of sweat?
Don't be paranoid.
When
you first walk into the gym, you may feel as though all the people are staring at you.
They're not. Unless you're wearing something out of this world.
Don't walk into the gym carrying an
offensive odour with you.
We are all exercising in close proximity
to each other this can really be a really unpleasant experience for the others. Wear clean
clothing, not the stuff that you've been wearing everyday for the past week and a half.
Don't wear scents.
When
fragrances are combined with sweating you are dominating the
air supply and can be considered as air-pollution. Plus, some people's respiratory systems
are irritated by the additional fragrances in the air..
It is advisable, however, to wear deodorant,
Do wear
appropriate clothing.
Loose fitting and comfortable clothes
that are not too revealing are appropriate. Slippers, sandals, and leather shoes are no
no.
Don't grunt
excessively or scream while you workout.
It is
perfectly okay for you to grunt during the last couple of reps in an exercise, but don't
over do it. There are people who grunt, groan and scream during their warm ups or every
working reps. Not only they sound ridiculous and they also distract others from their
workouts
Don't stare at others.
It is perfectly natural to admire a
person's physique, but staring can make others feel very uncomfortable. If you can't help yourself, use the
mirrors to peek at them more discreetly.
Do ask others before changing the television station.
It is very rude to change to your favorite station when others are
watching it.
Don't lift
weights so heavy you cannot do in proper form.
Not only you
are setting yourself up for injury, you'll look very silly.
Do be nice,
sensitive and considerate to other members.
Would you want
other members to be nice to you? Sure you do. Be considerate by keeping conversations to a
minimum and keep your volume down. Also no profanity, shouting, rude comments or
criticizing.
Do
communicate with the staff and management.
If you're not
sure how to work a machine or need to highlight something or somebody, get help from a
instructor on duty. This will save you from having an embarrassing incident in the gym.
Everyone will appreciate it.
Do enjoy yourself and have a good workout.
So there you have it, plenty of tips for a
proper gym etiquette. In short, treat others
better then how you would like to be treated and you would make the gym a better
place.
