Gym Etiquette (Dos and Don'ts)

A.K.A. The best way to avoid going viral for the wrong reasons

More often than one is comfortable to admit, do we encounter situations or experiences that can be extremely off putting and uncomfortable. As much as we would like to think, understanding social queues, etiquette, good hygiene practices, and generally acceptable behaviour in public is not necessarily clean cut common sense for everyone. Most in particularly when at the gym.

For most, these gym etiquette dos and don'ts will be pretty obvious and status quo. There might be one or two things that you would say makes sense and is logical. But you don't really think about how much of an impact it makes when it comes to coexisting with others in a public fitness area. This will be a sure fire way to ensure that other members do not complain about you at the gym.

And for those that are well aware, you can use this as a reference when politely pointing out faux pas to fellow gym members, because, you are ALLOWED to do that, without it, there will be no change in making public fitness zones a comfortable and safe space for everyone.

Following these tips can improve your and other members experiences, that could result in forming a solid gym buddy relationship, good rapport with staff and management, and an overall good atmosphere while working out.

1. Always clean your machine/weights! Other gym members appreciate the consideration you take in not treating the gym like your own personal home gym when you take the time to clean your machine after use. You can take it a step further and clean your machine before using it as well, it actually shows other members that you are clean and hygienic (someone worth either working in with or just respectfully admiring from a far).

2. Politely asking how many more sets or time a person has left. There is nothing wrong with asking someone how many more sets they have left on a machine. Just be sure to wait until they are on a rest and ask politely. If the wait isn't long (i.e. they have 1 more set left) and you are going to hover/wait for it, be sure to let them know that there is no rush and you are just waiting nearby so that someone else doesn't sneak in. Also be sure to clean the machine for them when they are done. It's just common decency. If the wait is long move on to the next exercise in your workout and come back, it'll likely be free, or use another machine or do another exercise that works the same muscle/muscle group.

3. Spacing out on cardio machines as much as possible. During initial COVID restrictions, gyms put every other machine in the cardio section "out of order" for social distancing. However this notion of spacing out has actually been an unsaid rule of common decency much before. If you are doing cardio (treadmill, bike, elliptical, stairs, rowing machine, etc) and there is space to spread out every other machine it is highly recommended and encouraged that you do so as people working out tend to enjoy their personal space especially during cardio with sweat and other bodily fluids that can spread more easily. Of course, if it's busy and all the machines are being used, it's ok to use the one right next to someone else. But if there's full availability and you choose the machine right next to another person, do not be confused or disheartened when they stare you down with contempt and maybe even complain to staff/management about you. If there are other machines further away from another member available then it is not an overreaction for them to take such action. It is only with action that you will learn.

4. Always put your weights away properly! Every good gym labels their racks with the weight placement. More often than I care to admit do I see people rack their 35lb plates on the rack for 45lb plates when it is clearly stated, and same with dumbbells, I see 45lb dumbbells places where a 17.5lb dumbell should be. People don't want to have to hunt for dumbbell weights or play a weighted jigsaw puzzle to load their barbell, so please put your weights back in their rightful spot and make life easier for everyone.

   1. Fun fact: If you notice for the squat rack the order of the rack goes 2.5/5lb, 10lb, 25lb, 45lb, 35lb. This is not a mistake, it is because there is not really a significant difference in lifting a 35lb plate from the bottom or second from the bottom row, but it is functionally easier to lift a 45lb plate from the second last row than the bottom.

5. Don't slam your weights down! Slamming your weights on the ground is not a flex. I've seen some pretty muscular guys at the gym slam a 10lb dumbbell on the floor as loud as they can and act all macho with their pump. Honestly, any real weight lifter will tell you, if you have to slam a weight down consistently then you shouldn't be lifting that much. A loud slam every once in a while is ok, just apologize to the members around you and don't make it a habit. Something fun I like to do is yell earthquake if I come across one of these people. Other members laugh and it usually does the trick making the member constantly slamming the weights know that it's unappreciated.

6. Always be nice to the staff! When I go to the gym I am often greeted and wished a good workout upon entering. It is important to treat all the staff members with respect and courtesy; be it the front desk/reception, trainers, cleaning crew, or management. Building a good rapport with the staff will incline then to sometimes make special accomodations, use closed spaces and keep you in the loop for any updates to the gym location that might be coming (closures, new features, etc), as well as answering questions and even recommending alternative options to your workout.

7. Avoid using machines with more features than you require! Many times at the gym there will be ONE high tech machine, be it a treadmill, elliptical, bike or even multifunction machine. And there is only one or if you're lucky two! The best way I can explain this rule is through an example.

   1. If you are using an elliptical and you don't really need the arm motion because you are only working your legs, try to use the elliptical machine with stationary arm rests/handles instead of the only elliptical with the motion handles in the cardio zone.

   2. If you are doing a strength workout and only require the cables for tricep pushdowns and bicep curls, for example, don't take over the whole multifunction machine/structure preventing other members from getting their workout done. Use one side of the structure for tricep pushdowns and grab a dumbbell for your bicep curls.

   3. The only time I've come across where the take over of a multifunction exercise machine is acceptable is if you absolutely require both cables positioned at different heights (i.e. kneeling cable crunch and standing cable flyes) and you are doing a circuit workout.

If you guys think of any other gym dos and don'ts that you come across frequently please don't hesitate to mention them in the comments and I can update this article and keep it as a "living document." Also don't be afraid to share this article with a person you feel needs a little wake up call, they might not be aware of the common best practices and etiquette at public gyms. Other than that I hope that this article resonated with you and that you don't get caught on someone's instagram story for doing any of these don'ts.