Gym Etiquette: The Does & Don'ts

There are certain written and unwritten rules that you really need to follow as long as you want to have a pleasant gym experience without drawing negative attention to yourself and picking up enemies along the way. Below is a list of both written and unwritten rules that most facilities and fellow gym users will expect of you.

1. Wear appropriate attire. Unless you want to draw negative attention to yourself, dress for the occasion. Your attire must be comfy and fitting. The last thing you want to do is to wear clothing that causes discomfort because either it’s too tight and skimpy or the material is too rough. However don’t get too comfortable and tip to the other end of the spectrum where the clothing is either too loose fitting, offers no support (particularly to the chest especially if you are big busted) or reveals too much flesh for the gym. Wearing clothing that’s too revealing in the gym is like wearing a bikini in a shopping mall; you’re going to get a lot of stares and whispers of disconcert.

Consider picking yourself up appropriate sportswear such as pair of sports (not fashion) trainers, leggings, tights, shorts (not “way-too-short” shorts; if you know what I mean), sports bras, vest tops, t-shirts, sweat bands, weight lifting gloves (you’ll need these if you want to kick some ass in the weights room without getting calluses on your hands) and hair bands to stop the hair from waving in your face. Also whilst you are at it, pick up a towel for hygiene purposes too.

When picking your gym attire, be aware of the colours and materials you choose because some reveal sweat more than others. If you are conscious of this then avoid light shades (especially if they are cotton based) particularly when it comes to leg wear. Sweat patches in certain areas will undoubtedly attract loads of attention.

2. Be Hygienic There’s nothing more off-putting and stomach churning as bad hygiene. Wipe down after yourself; and no, not with your sweat drenched t-shirt either. Carry a towel with you or if your gym provides wet or dry wipes and detergents, use them! If they don’t; then suggest it to them.

One of the most disgusting things in the gym that I’ve seen with my own eyes is a lady spitting; yes .......SPITTING! on the treadmill face as she ran. To my disbelief she then casually hopped off the machine and jumped onto an exercise bike without wiping/ disinfecting it. When I confronted her about it, her defence was that she was sweating so much that the sweat kept dripping into her mouth and so she had to spit it out. She wasn’t

kidding either! At closer inspection the machine was covered in litres of sweat and saliva! I mean really?! How the f*ck she thought it was no big deal was beyond my comprehension. Sure to say I swiftly gave her a lesson (with some very strong words) in hygiene. She surely won’t be making that mistake again; well at least in my presence.

Moral of the story is yes, you’re going to sweat so clean up after yourself. As for spitting; there is no excuse whatsoever!

5 Other Hygiene Musts i) If you chew gum, chuck it in the bin afterwards. Don’t stick on the back of one of machines or leave it in a cup holder! ii) If you’re going to be seated on a machine then place a towel down first or at least have the courtesy to wipe it down afterwards. No one wants to share your sweat! iii) Throw your tissue paper in the bin. Don’t leave it scrunched up in a cup holder or on the floor! iv) Clean up after yourself in the changing/ shower room v) If the gym provides anti-bacterial sprays, wipes or solutions, use them!

3. Respect the Equipment Use the equipment for its designed purpose and don’t drop or bang it about. Most gym operators will kick you out or give you a strong telling-off for abusing their equipment. It’s not only the staff that will get annoyed with you; you’re likely to annoy some fellow members as well.

4. Good Manners go a Long Way A simple hello, thanks, please and goodbye is all it takes to be in person’s good book. This is particularly important when you might need that person’s assistance or advice at some point. Be good mannered, patient and polite. If someone’s behaviour towards you isn’t right then swiftly report then to a member of staff. If you end up in a confrontational situation as a result of someone else’s bad manners then you’ll get the right support from staff and fellow members if you yourself are good mannered in the first place. If you’re not, they’ll sit back, watch and even bet between themselves who the winner is going to be.

5. Workout or Get Out! A bit of chat as you workout is totally fine however bouts of idle, loud and prolonged chatter can be considered annoying especially if you’re taking up space and equipment that other people would like access to. Another thing considered annoying on the gym-floor is someone having a full on natter or gossip session of their mobile phone. Adhere to the rule

“workout or get out”. If you really must have chat or use the then go to the lounge area or even pop outside for your chat sessions.

6. Be Mindful of Time Limits on the Equipment Due to congestion and/ or popularity of certain pieces of equipment, gyms sometimes place time limits on the usage of the equipment. Don’t defy the rules because you are likely to cause some friction with fellow gym members waiting to use the equipment. If the gym isn’t busy and no one is waiting to use the equipment then go ahead, knock yourself out and use it till your heart’s content.

If someone has been eagerly hanging around or has been checking the clock to see how long you’ve been going for then when you limit is up, politely allow them a turn. If you are on a piece of resistance equipment then allow someone else to jump on during your rest periods but make it clear to them how many sets you are doing and how long you instead to rest between sets. If their workout doesn’t fit in with what your workout protocol (i.e. they are going to slow you down/ interfere with your workout) then don’t be afraid to tell them so. In this case tell them how long you’re going to be and that as soon as you’re done they can hop on BUT be polite about it.

7. Put It Way!

If you use it then put it away after use. This mainly applies to equipment such as dumbbells, mats, swiss-balls and so forth. In terms of equipment such as dumbbells, medicine balls and other free-weights that are stored in a particular order (normally in order of weight or size) remember to put them back in the appropriate order. Fail to do this and you’re bound to annoy the gym staff and fellow members.