Over the years I have worked out at a good amount of gyms and I must say, there’s definitely one common characteristic amongst them all. This always holds true, even to this February day in year 2010!
Yeah, so…no matter which facility I visit, there’s ALWAYS a group of folks that blatantly ignores or just doesn’t understand proper gym etiquette! So, without any further buildup of rage, I’d like to present some common sense tips along with, you probably guessed…a custom FitHacker guide, perfect for practicing your courteous, sanitary public gyms behavioral actions!
1.) Let’s commence with dumbbells and weights. If you load up a machine to perform an exercise, then you’d finish and remove the weight when you’re done, it could be that simple, right? Not, ’cause the nagging reminders blaring outta’ the gym P.A. will have broken double-digits before you can finish stretching! Clean up your weight mess every time, ALWAYS re-rack your iron bells!
If you use a dumbbell for an exercise then put it back on the rack when you’re finished. It is not the staff’s job, nor that juiced Mr. America-looking dude beside you’s job either–clean up after yourself and put your own weights away! Furthermore, when those idiotic few fail in this department, it makes for a messy gym and sometimes can make it difficult to find that stray dumbbell that you didn’t put back on the rack! Must’ve…umm, forgot, huh?
2.) If you use a machine and get your sweat all over it wipe down the equipment when you are done. No one else wants to lay or sit in your sweat it is unsanitary and just down right gross.
3.) Remember to share the equipment, you don’t own the machine or equipment you are using. Many people work out before work or on lunch or before they head home and don’t have a ton of time to waste so they need to be very efficient to get a good workout in. Try not to rest on the equipment either, while you are sitting there resting someone else could be getting in a set.
4.) Refrain from conversing with other members in front of machines or other high traffic areas in the gym (such as drinking fountains.) It’s bound to happen from time to time that you run into an old friend or co-worker, so if you must engage in a conversation, make sure to keep a patch clear!
5.) Lastly, treat the equipment with respect. Don’t drop the dumbbells if you can help it, or if on a machine, watch so the plates don’t slam together that terribly (if any can be helped.) Slamming machines and barbells around quickly breaks the equipment and can also damage the floor , or worse even–injure an innocent member close by! Be safe & buff…but gently!
If you can manage to always remember to act like a mature adult, things should be alright. This consists of common courtesies towards fellow members…remember, you aren’t the only one there, and no one is going to clean up after you! This includes weights and sweaty equipment.
Practice, feel it out in your neck while sticking to these basic FitHack’d guidelines, hey, soon enough you’ll be on the fast track to adopting your own unique, proper gym etiquette behavior in days! Good luck friends!
