subject: Etiquette in the Gym [print this page] Fewer things rile those during a workout session more than men and women who don't show common courtesy. Maybe it's because there not familiar with the workings in a gym, or maybe there just selfish, but in either case, a little bit of common courtesy goes along way, specifically in an environment which your likely to return to frequently, and encounter the exact same people often.
People go to the gym to workout, and for that reason they sweat. I don't mind people sweating around me, actually I get a kind of pleasure out of it as it's like we're in a battle together, both sweating away, aiming to reach our target. Where I draw the line however, is when folks sweat, and then don't clean up after themselves. Growing up, I was always told to treat others as you expect to be treated yourself, and tidy up after yourself. So if you do a heavy session, and sweat a lot on a piece of gym equipment, whether it's the exercise bike, a bench, an exercise mat, whatever it may be, please leave it in a respectable condition for the person who'll use it after you. Once I've finished with a piece of equipment, I'll wipe it down with my towel, which is something I always have to hand in a gym, along with a bottle of water. This simple step makes life easier for everyone.
Another tip, which follows on from the one mentioned previously is to put back weights and equipment after you've finished with it. I don't wish to trek half way over the gym to pick up a 20kg weight from a machine, on the grounds that the last person to use it couldn't be bothered to place the weight back on the rack. I'm a massive guy, so I don't have this issue, but I also imagine it's frustrating for individuals who want to use a piece of equipment, who then need to spend the initial 5 minutes unloading all the weights that were stacked up on it. Again, when you've finished with a piece of equipment, please put it back on the rack, or in it's suitable place.
I am aware I certainly make some noise when weightlifting, but I don't do it to excess. I just now came from the gym, one of the reasons I'm writing this article, as it's still fresh in my mind, and I heard a man practically screaming from the other side of the gym as he done the bench press. I wouldn't have minded so much if he was attempting a world record, but for the weights he was moving, and his size, there was certainly no need. Again, be considerate to the people around you who are also exercising, we don't want to hear what actually sounds like a banshee caused by you attention seeking.
Another point to note, is to give adequate space to the people performing exercises. Should you see someone lifting a weight, it's not recommended to go near them. Fair enough, if you want to grab a weight from the smith machine whilst there utilizing it, go ahead, but don't get to close, as you don't want them or yourself to get injured due to coming to near to the weight.
On a similar note, when I'm performing a cardio exercise, whether it's on the exercise bike, x-trainer, rowing, skipping whatever, I don't mind people giving a nod, or saying a quick hello, but I don't need to be involved in a conversation at that time. I'm battling away aiming to achieve something in my cardio session, I'll converse with you afterwards. Besides, I don't think it will be that great of a conversation with me trying to catch my breath after every word, and huffing and puffing mid-sentence.
This is all to this article on gym etiquette, and would you believe I raised these points as I experienced every one of them during my workout today. I'm sure I'll create a similar article again, but for now, farewell.
