Gym Etiquette

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

08 Apr 2006 06:00 PM

Do you work out at a gym or a fitness club? Most people who work out in a fitness club or a gym are there for more than just physical fitness; they are there because it's their quiet time in the day. Their moments to him or herself.

Because this is a fact for so many who go to a gym or fitness club. It's important to respect the etiquette of the situation. For example, if you go into the sauna - and other people are present; don't sit there and babble with your friend or friends. Most people want it to be quiet and relaxing. If you are talking non-stop, you are denying them that.

Put free weights on a machine? Take them off when you're done. Don't leave a machine loaded up. Just because you can lift the weight; doesn't mean someone else can. It's rude to leave other people to clean up your mess.

In general, you should leave equipment in a state ready for use. If you are sitting on a machine, use it. Don't just use it as a resting spot while others wait for you to decide what are you doing or not. A lot of people avoid going to the gym just because they don't like having to cope with other people who are either rude or inconsiderate.

You'd think that behaving yourself would be common sense. After all, we're all adults, right? We've grown up, right? We learned how to play nice when we were in school? We wouldn't engage in the same sets of silly, playground behavior that inhabited our childhoods?

So here's a few tips on etiquette and protocol that can help you have a pleasant experience and make things pleasant for other people:

• Check Your Rudeness At the Door - Use your machine, put it back the way it was and move on. Wear headphones to listen to your music - other people don't want to hear it. Leave your cell phone in your locker - no one else wants to hear your conversations or its ringing.
• Be Clean - Most gyms give you hand towels while you're working out. Use them to wipe down a machine after you are done. No one wants to sit on your sweat - it's disgusting.
• Leave It Better Than You Found It - Always clean up your weights; put free weights back on racks, drop heavy weights down to empty and leave it so that the next person isn't cleaning up behind you.
• Don't Get in the Way - If you're new to an aerobics, yoga or other group fitness class; don't stand right up front. Stand in the back. This let's you put the experienced people in front of you and will provide you with a better experience as you can see the exercises performed and get your own points.
• Be Prompt - If you are working with a personal trainer or fitness partner - don't leave them waiting. The trainer won't give you an extra five or ten minutes on the end of your workout and it wastes your time and theirs when you're late.

Show your fellow gym patrons some respect and respect for yourself by acting in a well-behaved manner. It's a good favor to everyone involved.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

Libby Pelham (12871) 09 Apr 2006 11:04 PM

Most of the people at our gym have their MP3 players going, so we don't bother each other. I like it that way - I agree that you shouldn't bother people at the gym - I just wanna work out and get it over with :-)