Gym Etiquette

Every now and then, it is useful to remind gym members of the importance of gym etiquette. It is a common space so are things that we can all do that will make going to the gym a lot more cleaner, friendlier and well, just more pleasant! As a regular at the gym, it’s easy to slip in to some bad habits – putting off not just newbie’s but others who are more considerate. Don’t become the person who people point at and mutter under their breath!

If subtlety fails, if asking the person directly not to do whatever it is that they do fails – tell the staff. They know that for every one person who reports the problem to them, there will be at least 20 other members who are having the same problem with that person. For the gym, that can mean quite a few lost memberships. Trust me, they’ll act!

Top of my list is

1. USE A TOWEL!!

If you aren’t going to use a towel then wipe down the equipment when you're done. All gyms provide paper to do this. It’s not just the sweat – but what’s in it. MRSA and other staphylococcus, for starters. By the same token, if you have any cuts or scratches, you should cover them before going to the gym.

Wash your hands both before and after gym – during if you want to start getting compulsive obsessive! Also, have a shower when you finish. Are you really in that much of a rush to get home that you can’t have a shower?

2. Be friendly, but don’t become the chatty Kathy of the gym!

Most people go to the gym to work out, not socialize. Keep conversations brief and out of the way of others. Don't disturb those who are reading or watching TV in the reception [unless they acknowledge you first] and definitely not those working out and listening to their iPod. They're obviously not feeling chatty. The exception to this is if you want to use the equipment they’re on. More on this below.

Be considerate of someone else's workout. If you see people you do business with, respect that they are on their workout time, and don't talk business.

3. Pick up after yourself.

Don't leave behind water bottles or other trash. Used band-aids abandoned in the gym are just as disgusting as those left in the showers. Ewwwwww!

4. Rerack your weights:

Once you're done with weight plates, dumbbells or barbells, put them back in their proper spot.

5. Quiet, please:

Loud grunting, playing your iPod so loud others can hear the music and singing along are big no-no's. It’s a gym floor – not a dance floor! Turn off your cell phone or don’t take it out on the gym floor with you in the first place. If you simply CAN’T miss a call, take your conversation outside.

6. Don't drop weights:

Dumbbells bouncing on the floor and weight stacks crashing down distract others working out. It is going to ruin both floor, and equipment. If you can't place weights on the ground or return the stack to its starting position properly, you need to lighten the load. I guess you could add to this – leave your ego at the door. Crashing weights on the gym floor gets you attention – the wrong kind of attention. Don’t be THAT GUY!

7. Don't hog the equipment!

Many gyms have a 30 to 45 minute limit on cardio equipment that's enforced only when people are waiting. If the gym isn't busy, stay on that treadmill as long as you want. If it's busy, respect the rules.

When working with weights, alternate sets with people who want to use the same equipment.

Don’t sit on any equipment if you're resting, talking or reading a magazine.

8. Finally, for God’s sake, use a deodorant!!

Before, after, during I don’t care just don’t stink me out of the gym. Some guys [yes guys, it is usually us] have made me leave the gym dry heaving with their ‘I don’t wash or deodorise’ philosophy. It’s not funny. It’s not clever. Same goes with your gym kit. Wash after EACH USE – not each week’s use.

I’m sure this list isn’t complete. Any pet peeves at the gym? Do tell!

Taken from Scott Sherwood's Facebook group Personal Training