Gym Etiquette

By Michele Blandino

It’s nearly the end of January and by now, most people have made good on their resolution to join a gym so that they can get in better shape during the coming year. Certainly, gym owners love to see the new year roll around as it is the one time that they can count on an influx of new members. Unfortunately, many existing gym members do not feel the same way. New gym members usually makes the gym more crowded (for a few months anyway), increases the wait time for equipment and generally changes the atmosphere within the gym.

But perhaps the biggest problem existing gym members have with the influx of newcomers is that the new members do not seem to have an appreciation for – or understanding of – standard gym etiquette.

While the specific rules of each gym may vary, there are several things that should be assumed such as:

• Clean Up After Yourself: They hand out towels in a gym for a reason – to wipe down the machines after you have finished using them. Some people are fastidious about cleaning the machine they have just used while others walk away without giving it as much as a passing thought. Wiping a machine only takes a few seconds but can go a long way in preventing the passing of germs. It is also expected that you will return weights to their proper place when you have finished using them. Again, it only takes a few extra seconds and helps to make everyone’s workout go more smoothly.
• Don’t Monopolize Equipment: If you see that someone is waiting for the machine you are using, finish your set and move on. This doesn’t mean you should cut your own workout short, but at the same time, you should be mindful that others are waiting and refrain from extending your workout beyond what is considered an acceptable number of repetitions for the given piece of equipment.
• Respect the Atmosphere: If you are new to a particular gym, use the first few sessions to get a feeling for the prevailing atmosphere. Some members approach their workout with a tremendous amount of focus and are distracted by excessive socializing while others welcome the chance to talk with others. To avoid being branded a “nuisance” – or worse – try to keep a low profile until you can assess the situation.
• Respect Others: Have consideration for those around you by making sure you wear fresh workout clothes each time you visit the gym. While those clothes you shoved in your gym bag after your last workout may not smell so bad to you, they will probably not be so pleasing to the person working out next to you. Along the same lines, keep perfume and cologne usage to a minimum.