Gym Etiquette

velix

I know there has been several similar threads (which are now buried) - but I just wanted to share this:

My gym is relatively small - there are 6 large mats against a wall (facing a window) for people to do their ab work / stretching. This space can only accommodate 6 - 7 people max. Yesterday, there was this girl all dressed up in her lululemon attire, she brought her weights, jump rope and stretching bands and stood on one of the mats to do all of her exercises - none of which required her to sit or lay on the actual mat.... I had to wait until someone else was done their ab-work for a spot on the mats to stretch and all I could think was - Why? there are many nooks and crannies in the gym that you can stand and do your bends and curls - why use up a mat when there are other people (not just me) waiting ... finally, an employee asked her to move to a non-matted area, but still - hello etiquette!

Please share your etiquette beefs (I'm not being petty am I??)

bizco

No, you're not being petty. So many people today think only of themselves. It's me, me, me. That girl needs to open her eyes and be conscience of her surroundings and be considerate to others.

mjd0109

No you're not.

Gym etiquette: keep your eyes off my cardio machine. You don't need to know how long I've been on, how far I've gone, how fast I'm going, etc. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS! And you better believe if I catch you looking at my machine, I'm going to look at you, look at my machine.

BrownEyedG1rl

I can't stand all the meat heads in the weight section that stand around and talk and are in the way, talk while they are leaning on a machine that I want to use, etc. I understand people like to socialize and you make friends at the gym. I get that. But I have limited time to spend at the gym so I need to get in there and get it done. I don't have time to wait for people to move or to socialize.

Marll

When I was in the gym all the time years ago I learned that you can't really be afraid to ask people to move if they are in the way.

Many times I'd be trying to keep my momentum and pump going and guys would be standing around talking leaning on equipment. I'd ask them to move and most times they will, I only had to get aggressive with a few people in my entire life over it.

kaylou

NO you are not being petty! I could go on and on and on! Cell phone use on treadmill, right under the sign that says no cell phone usage, STANDING on a treadmill gossiping to the girl next to you while someone is WAITING in plain view to use it. On a different day the same girl put her towl, bottled water and headphones on a treadmill and then walked over to talk to someone and was there for like 5-7 minutes! Which is a long time when all the treadmills are in use (at 5:30pm!!) and people again are visiably waiting....I have more but will let it go at that! Thanks for opening up the floor for me to vent

Gymbunnie

You're right, it is just rude!

CricketClover

There was a girl at my gym the other day at 6 am sitting on the leg press machine playing on her phone. There were only 3 people in the gym and the one machine I needed she happened to be lounging on. I stood around the machine waiting, it was obvious or should have been that I was waiting and she still just sat there, finally she got up and went to the treadmill which she was off of before I had even had time to do 3 sets on the leg press. The one machine that it is ok to stay on for a while she stays on for less than 3 minutes! I don't get it.

bahrainbel

Girls in full make up, reading magazines, while on the cardio machines. WHY??

Marll

I always found that my favorite gyms were ones that were more like dungeons LOL. The only guys in there usually were hard core and probably a ton of them juiced up. But they were there to work out, not socialize, so you didn't really have those types of problems.

I've found the problems occur a lot more in gyms that are geared to be gathering places for other stuff, saunas, steamrooms, juice bar, etc.

velix

I am usually not one to keep quiet - usually in the weight area, I will ask people if they are almost done - 9 out of 10 times, people share

caitlinlws

Not so much a pet peeve, but the most ridiculous thing that I have ever seen...in Janurary (during the new years resolution rush) I saw a girl walking around with her cell phone and ipod tucked into her cleavage....this is the gym, not the bar!!!! (and its called a sports bra!!!!)

nukehiker

I agree jenn I want to get in the gym do what I need to do and get out. nothing more disruptive to my routine when i have to stand around wasting my time because 2 people are shooting the breeze on the machine i need to use so I can finish my workout !!

etarre

I go to a crowded gym, and the trainers are always standing around in the really high-traffic areas chatting aimlessly. You have an office-- use it!

Also, the ab cradle is right under one of the TVs and some guys will just sit there and watch TV. C'mon, it's not a chair! Go home and watch TV if that's all you're going to do.

Also, you shouldn't really need to rest between sets of unweighted situps on the ab cradle. If you do, then please let someone else have a turn in the meantime.

himynameisjess

Girls in full make up, reading magazines, while on the cardio machines. WHY??

Yea I don't seem to get that one either, seems as if the girls are those clearly only came to the gym to see if they can get picked up.. i.e. Curled hair, make up, completely wrong shoes for the treadmill.. and i'm standing there sweaty and waiting for a machine to open up.

30tips

Haha, my pet peeve is when someone asks me to please get off the machine I´m using, I think they could just politely wait until I´m finished. One time, somebody asked me to please get off it because they were using it. What happened was that they were using two machines, where they alternated from one machine to the next. Isn´t it enough that the person decided it was okay to use two machines at once...

fitmom4ever

I have to say, despite having a small gym (1 treadmill, 1 stationary bike, 1 elliptical, 1 weight machine that I still haven't figured out, a weight bench and a step) that is open to an apartment complex with over 550 apartments, I really haven't had a problem with waiting for a machine. In fact, the only other person I really see in the gym is this one guy that seems to always be there when I am. And my issue with this is- he is always wearing a suit or sweater vest or some other non gym attire and dress shoes. And just sitting there watching me workout for the first 10 minutes until I turn and give him a look, then he waves and walks out. It's kinda creepy. The only reason I'm not really concerned and just annoyed by it is because the property manager takes regular patrols through the gym to make sure everything is clean and in working order. But am I just being crazy or is this really weird?

CricketClover

Haha, my pet peeve is when someone asks me to please get off the machine I´m using, I think they could just politely wait until I´m finished. One time, somebody asked me to please get off it because they were using it. What happened was that they were using two machines, where they alternated from one machine to the next. Isn´t it enough that the person decided it was okay to use two machines at once, did she have to ask me to get off the machine once I was already sitting down, with a tone of voice that showed that she would have expected me to read her mind and guess what she was doing..

I hate this too, I was in the middle of a set, not just sitting and this guy asked if he could use it. That made me sooo mad. Like his workout was so much more important or something.

vzepol

I agree you are not being petty. It is like sitting at the weight machine between sets and not allowing someone to share. Really bad form.

bahrainbel

Girls in full make up, reading magazines, while on the cardio machines. WHY??

Yea I don't seem to get that one either, seems as if the girls are those clearly only came to the gym to see if they can get picked up.. i.e. Curled hair, make up, completely wrong shoes for the treadmill.. and i'm standing there sweaty and waiting for a machine to open up.

It actually drives me mad, if I'm going to a bar or club, for the pick up thing, then yeah - making an effort is normal. But in the gym? Clearly, I am missing something :-/

jenniferg83

I completely agree!! Where is the gym etiquette??? There's a hand full of guys who grunt when they lift weights....then stand around looking for attention for like 10 minutes then do it again. all while hogging machines. Some people crave attention and are so rude!

s_hamm_08

I just started working out at the y and they have a small gym the other day we got there and all the machines were being used so we stretched out until one opened. The person before me didn't wipe off the machine and he sweated a lot the machine was covered in sweat, I understand he got a good workout but come on you can't take a minute to wipe it off.

MrsSanthoff

Girls in full make up, reading magazines, while on the cardio machines. WHY??

Ya, that one always gets me too....Sometimes I wonder if the GYM is the daytime version of the club! I mean they are in spandex!

30tips

It does sound a bit weird...the staring and then walking out part, more than the attire, I should say... The attire is only suspicious because of the other red flags that make you think that he´s following you... :noway:

I have to say, despite having a small gym (1 treadmill, 1 stationary bike, 1 elliptical, 1 weight machine that I still haven't figured out, a weight bench and a step) that is open to an apartment complex with over 550 apartments, I really haven't had a problem with waiting for a machine. In fact, the only other person I really see in the gym is this one guy that seems to always be there when I am. And my issue with this is- he is always wearing a suit or sweater vest or some other non gym attire and dress shoes. And just sitting there watching me workout for the first 10 minutes until I turn and give him a look, then he waves and walks out. It's kinda creepy. The only reason I'm not really concerned and just annoyed by it is because the property manager takes regular patrols through the gym to make sure everything is clean and in working order. But am I just being crazy or is this really weird?

koosdel

You have the right to be heard, and your needs and opinions matter. What is the worse that could happen if you spoke up? Sometimes, it would be acceptable to just move on but usually not.

A clear and polite message," Excuse me, you forgot your water bottle and towel on the treadmill." Followed by assertive behavior; hand it to them.

If they want to argue, that's their problem. A quick "Thanks" and walk away.

Other people will see that, and maybe pick up on it.

Don't let people push you around, and defnatly don't do the dirty look and murmur under your breath thing.

JudoJones

Just off the top of my head...

- lounging on equipment
- using cardio equipment but not actually working out just going through the motions
- excessively loud talking (shouting/laughing) right next to you
- Not putting your weights back in the right spots
- walking up to someone on a cardio machine and trying to start a converstation. (usually guys trying to hit on girls but still annoying to see)

scweegie

I work out in a small all women's gym...

I hate when someone changes the tv you are watching, pounding out a 3 miler on the treadmill is painfull enough!

I hate loud cell phone talkers, i don't need to know what you are cooking for supper

I hate people who go to the gym walk on the treadmill for 20 mins and leave, this is their everyday workout. Why come to the gym at all? Do some weights, put the thing on incline, boost the speed, hit the elliptical or a bike. This also goes with the person who comes into the gym does 20 on the recumbant bike and leaves. I guess some just go for the social atmosphere?

amuhlou

To fit more ellipticals in, our YMCA staggers them in a line -- this means that the person on the machine next to you is either sort of behind or in front of you.

One time, I saw a girl ASK SOMEONE TO MOVE so she could have her friend on a machine right next to her, and then MOVED THE ELLIPTICAL MACHINE so that she could be closer to her friend. She didn't move it back afterwards.

It sounds petty but I was very annoyed. If you want to socialize THAT badly, do it at a coffee shop.

amuhlou

On a different day the same girl put her towl, bottled water and headphones on a treadmill and then walked over to talk to someone and was there for like 5-7 minutes! Which is a long time when all the treadmills are in use (at 5:30pm!!) and people again are visiably waiting....I have more but will let it go at that! Thanks for opening up the floor for me to vent

Ohhh this is a HUGE peeve of mine! It's simply rude to "save" a machine for yourself by putting all your stuff down on it while you go do your stretching or whatever else. It's so inconsiderate. The only time I leave my stuff on the machine is when I'm going to get a towel to wipe it down after I'm finished.

AEROBICVIC

as a gym owner, i've seen it all! the ones that personally get me irritated are:

-people that used our place as a meat market. we were a hard core, serious athletes only type of gym. aerobics (group fitness) & power lifting were our backbone. we were not your average "fluff" gym so leave the makeup, thongs and push up bras at home!

-you do not leave toilet paper, kleenex, paper towels, empty shampoo bottles, half full drink bottles, ect laying around at home on the floor or in the way, why do that at my gym?

-gym time is your time, leave the freakin cell phone in your locker!

-coming in 15 mins before closing to work out? go home, come back tomw when you have time.

-use oils when tanning. you leave my tanning beds a mess!

-wearing snow/salt covered shoes in our aerobic studio....you would not walk across your clean floors at home with them on.

-flip flops in the weight room. i've actually sent members home. not safe! don't take up a lifter's area if you're not serious about what you're doing.

-"owning" a spot during an aerobic class....please, you do not own the space, you may like to stand thr every time you come in, but you do not OWN it, please to not touch the person in "your spot" they came in before you did. ppl dont like to be pushed.

-fighting with another member over a cycling bike, again, you do not own it.....they were there first!

-reading a book or magazine while lifting!!!!!

-cover your underwear.....really no one cares to see it.

i could go on and on.....

CricketClover

I hate people who go to the gym walk on the treadmill for 20 mins and leave, this is their everyday workout. Why come to the gym at all? Do some weights, put the thing on incline, boost the speed, hit the elliptical or a bike. This also goes with the person who comes into the gym does 20 on the recumbant bike and leaves. I guess some just go for the social atmosphere?

Maybe these people just don't have enough time to do more, at least they are doing something instead of sitting at home. Or maybe they just had surgery or something and can't do anything strenuous. This is one thing I feel like people judge me for while at the gym, I walk, I don't run, I can't run, but at least I am there to do what I can!