The new year and the accompanying resolutions means that the gyms will be extra busy until about Valentine’s Day. Now, I would like to think those extra folks would continue pursuing their goals throughout the year, but we’ve all been there in January and again in March, and we know it’s just not so.
Gym etiquette is always important, but it’s even more so when the gym is packed, especially with those who might be new to exercise. Keep these things in mind when you work out at the gym in January and beyond.
Get off your phone.
Nothing is more irritating that waiting to use a bench while someone else sits on it and takes selfies or answers text messages. Do your selfies quickly and save the conversations for another time. Not everyone has hours to spend at the gym, so those precious minutes spent waiting for someone to quit screwing around are very frustrating.
Put your equipment away.
Don’t leave weights, balls, bands, or anything else lying in the middle of the floor. Put everything back in its place when you’re done using it.
Wipe the equipment clean.
Gyms have paper towels and cleaner for this purpose–please use it. I sweat a lot, so it would be downright embarrassing for me NOT to clean the equipment, but even if you don’t sweat on it, it’s still good hygiene and courtesy to clean it off. This goes for benches, balls, mats, and cardio machines.
You don’t have to wipe each individual dumbbell, unless perhaps you were sweating enough to leave them slimy and wet. Gross, I know. But this is real gym life, folks. And it’s okay.
Respect time limits.
If you’re working out during peak times, there will likely be someone waiting for your machine. Most gyms have sign-in sheets or on-your-honor time limits (usually 30 minutes) per machine. Please respect that. Know that there’s nothing wrong with approaching someone who is still on the machine during your time slot and telling them it’s your turn.
If it’s not busy and there are plenty of the same machines available, feel free to stay where you are if you want a few extra minutes. Just be respectful if someone tells you they’re waiting for you to finish.
Skip the perfume.
Heavy scents are a nightmare in the gym. If you’re working out hard and breathing heavily, the last thing you want to breathe in is someone’s perfume.
Dress the part.
Dress comfortably, and be a bit cautious of overexposing yourself. Don’t wear anything you risk popping out of. It’ll be more comfortable for you and for everyone around you.
It’s also nice if you don’t wear your street shoes onto the gym floor. Have a pair of shoes just for the gym to avoid tracking in extra dirt, keeping the floor as clean as possible for everyone.
Be kind.
There will likely be a lot of people around you who are new to exercise. Be friendly. Be kind. Don’t scoff or stare or intimidate. Having a generally unhealthy society is a detriment to us all–in health care costs, productivity, and grumpiness level of the people you run into day to day–so it’s really up to those of us who are committed to a healthy lifestyle to encourage those who are trying. We’ve all been there.
What other gym etiquette guidelines do you follow?