Gym/Locker Room Etiquette

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Replies

  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    the naked guy who can't seem to find his clothes, people who talk on cellphones and talking loudly, people who don't wiped down the machines and benches oh and my alltime fav the lady who feel teh need to sing very single word of the music she is lstening to in her headphones so the who gym van hear it....

    LOL. Which is the reason I don't wear and iPod or MP3 player to the gym. I'd end up singing along (off key).
  • havingitall
    havingitall Posts: 3,728 Member
    My gym is an Ok size and has a separate room for kickboxing, one for spinning and a basketball court. what drives me nuts is the guy practicing Hapkido ( we call him dancing dude) who does airy fairy punches and kicks while standing under the cable machine.

    Hello??? we have a room full of heavy bags and you want to kick air while you hog up a machine that several people can use at once.

    Or... the trainers that decide to so floor work under the same cable machine so nobody can use it...for an hour.

    Please....move to a place that has room, but allows of gym members to use the equipment.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    some of these are hilarious! brilliant thread! I used to have an older gentleman who for some reason or another would always wind up on the treadmill next to me.....he reeked of old people food! Like cabbage or something....yuck. Or sometimes if someone has eaten a lot of garlic they'll start to sweat it out their pores and stick up the place (lol...being a garlic lover I've probably done this myself)
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    Dropping weights doesn't really bother me. I've done enough lifting to know that it happens when you're tired. There is a difference between the people who are doing this to show off and the people who are too tired to lower the weights to the floor. I don't really understand why this bothers people so much. I mind my own business at the gym and I never really understood why people are so concerned about others unless the behavior of others directly impedes the ability to successfully complete your workout.

    Exactly. I could care less if you read, text, chat, air guitar, or break dance...as long as you're not holding up equipment.

    I'll occiasonally thud some weights. Especially when doing the power clean. I'll occiasonally grunt on the last set of said power clean. No one has ever addressed this issue with me despite their being a good presence of gym staff in the weight area. It is a weight room. What do you expect to hear in there?
  • LexieSweetheart
    LexieSweetheart Posts: 793 Member
    Please realize the the soap is for everybody. DO NOT wash your va jay jay with your bare hand and then use the soap it is nasty.
  • thecrossfitter
    thecrossfitter Posts: 424 Member
    Dropping weights doesn't really bother me. I've done enough lifting to know that it happens when you're tired. There is a difference between the people who are doing this to show off and the people who are too tired to lower the weights to the floor. I don't really understand why this bothers people so much. I mind my own business at the gym and I never really understood why people are so concerned about others unless the behavior of others directly impedes the ability to successfully complete your workout.

    Exactly. I could care less if you read, text, chat, air guitar, or break dance...as long as you're not holding up equipment.

    I'll occiasonally thud some weights. Especially when doing the power clean. I'll occiasonally grunt on the last set of said power clean. No one has ever addressed this issue with me despite their being a good presence of gym staff in the weight area. It is a weight room. What do you expect to hear in there?

    Agreed. I don't typically drop weights, but sometimes you have to for various reason. Sometimes I'll even have to bail on a lift - that isn't even close to my max - because I realize I'm too tired at that point in the workout and form would be poor and it's safer to ditch the weight. If I'm going for a 5 rep max on my deadlift, 150+lbs can feel really heavy at the end. Part of lifting is trial and error, and when pushing yourself you may fail. It's safer to stop than keep going. There are a lot more reasons that it can occasionally happen that are too boring to list. Oh, and I have been known to let out an unintentional grunt on a rare occasion (which surprised even myself haha!)

    Clean up after yourself, don't hold up equipment, be courteous. Other than that I don't care what you do - air guitaring included so long as it isn't hurting anyone else. Wanna get dressed up to work out? Well, I don't get it. I may secretly think you're silly. But I don't care. (Oh - except for what that one person said about someone shaving their private bits in the public shower. Seriously that's gross.)
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    In the locker room: as long as you aren't doing naked toe touches or taking pictures I'm cool.

    In the weight room:
    1) weight clanking because you're too lazy to properly put your weigths down. I get the too tired part, sometimes I crash out too, it's cool that's the point. BUT, if you're doing it with every set on every single exercise I am working under the assumption you are a weight clanker.
    2) not wiping down the equipment, I have to deal with my smell and sweat, I think yours is nasty.
    3) not re-racking weights. If you can put them on, you can take them off.
    4) leaving equipment out (steps or balance balls) in the middle of the exercise area when you're done with it, no one here is your momma, clean up after yourself.
  • wendyw8
    wendyw8 Posts: 86 Member
    Wow people really have alot of complaints about stuff other people do at the gym. I think that you cant change people but if it really bothers you that bad maybe when you see someone doing you pet peeve you should ask them to stop, but on the other hand what would you say if someone walked up to you and asked you to stop doing something that you wanted to do that was not hurting anyone else (except the wiping of machines, that is just gross). That is something to think about since most people are there to improve, who really cares what they are dressed like or if they are texting or reading none of that should matter to anyone else because it is just them that is maybe cheating themselves out of a better workout, but that is really not any ones problem except their own. Letting something that someone else is doing bother you is just stupid and not worth the brain power it takes to be aggravated.
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Wow people really have alot of complaints about stuff other people do at the gym. I think that you cant change people but if it really bothers you that bad maybe when you see someone doing you pet peeve you should ask them to stop, but on the other hand what would you say if someone walked up to you and asked you to stop doing something that you wanted to do that was not hurting anyone else (except the wiping of machines, that is just gross). That is something to think about since most people are there to improve, who really cares what they are dressed like or if they are texting or reading none of that should matter to anyone else because it is just them that is maybe cheating themselves out of a better workout, but that is really not any ones problem except their own. Letting something that someone else is doing bother you is just stupid and not worth the brain power it takes to be aggravated.

    I don't think this discussion was meant to be that serious. Just some light hearted gym stories of things we encounter during our work outs. If something actually bothered me that much....I wouldn't go to the gym. It's innocent people watching
  • -people need to clean the machines off after using them!
    -I cant stand when I can hear someone's music (headphone) when they are 5 treadmills down from me. Are you Deaf?!
    -Was at the gym one day & this lady was on the stair climber & she was literally moaning! It was very awkward in there...
    -Girls who plaster their faces with make up to work out. I'm sorry, but for me.. when I go tot he gym. I am NOT going there to impress anyone!
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    -people need to clean the machines off after using them!
    -I cant stand when I can hear someone's music (headphone) when they are 5 treadmills down from me. Are you Deaf?!
    -Was at the gym one day & this lady was on the stair climber & she was literally moaning! It was very awkward in there...
    -Girls who plaster their faces with make up to work out. I'm sorry, but for me.. when I go tot he gym. I am NOT going there to impress anyone!

    I love moaners when I'm all hot and sweaty . . . just not at the gym.
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    I clean the treadmill but not aways the free weight stuff. Oddly enough, I clean the actual free weight bar because during deadlifts, it gets slipperly.

    This thread reminds me that I need to wipe down the bench sometimes.
  • StacySkinny
    StacySkinny Posts: 984 Member
    As a person who's gotten dirty looks and being stared at at the gym while working out, I'd like to add as Locker Room Etiquette:

    I'm here to get healthier, you giving me dirty looks will only make me want to stay home and hide. Don't be a ****, fat people are people too. I know a 385 lb woman working out might be funny to SOME people but grow up and mind your own business.

    That's my two cents on locker room etiquette. :P

    I totally agree, they're stupid for throwing you dirty looks like that. Seriously! *******


    Hahah Thanks, hun. :) I love it when people are like "No one is looking at other people when they go to the gym, they're too into what they are doing to notice other people" - to that I say: Walk a mile in my shoes, that will change your mind about that pretty quickly. lol When you weigh what I do a lot of things change. The dirty looks and stares got so bad that I almost stopped going to the gym altogether. I guess it doesn't matter now, I've since moved and now that I live out here in California I can no longer afford a gym membership. lol But it's all good, I'm working out at home now.
  • CoraGregoryCPA
    CoraGregoryCPA Posts: 1,087 Member
    I used to go to a cheap gym and I remember ALL of the complaints that are mentioned here. ALL OF THEM. But now I go to a really expensive gym and none of this stuff happens. Big difference! You get what you pay for.
  • CoraGregoryCPA
    CoraGregoryCPA Posts: 1,087 Member
    I'd be very happy that you are there! You are making a difference!
    As a person who's gotten dirty looks and being stared at at the gym while working out, I'd like to add as Locker Room Etiquette:

    I'm here to get healthier, you giving me dirty looks will only make me want to stay home and hide. Don't be a ****, fat people are people too. I know a 385 lb woman working out might be funny to SOME people but grow up and mind your own business.

    That's my two cents on locker room etiquette. :P

    I totally agree, they're stupid for throwing you dirty looks like that. Seriously! *******


    Hahah Thanks, hun. :) I love it when people are like "No one is looking at other people when they go to the gym, they're too into what they are doing to notice other people" - to that I say: Walk a mile in my shoes, that will change your mind about that pretty quickly. lol When you weigh what I do a lot of things change. The dirty looks and stares got so bad that I almost stopped going to the gym altogether. I guess it doesn't matter now, I've since moved and now that I live out here in California I can no longer afford a gym membership. lol But it's all good, I'm working out at home now.
  • StacySkinny
    StacySkinny Posts: 984 Member
    Awww, thank you, Cora! :D That's sweet of you to say!
  • rita27ny
    rita27ny Posts: 820 Member
    How come some guys at the gym when lifting they grunt like they are having an orgasm? it sounds like they are having sex ahhhhhhh then boom goes the weights.

    Did they just have erection?
  • mahidac
    mahidac Posts: 126 Member
    - Hogging machines, especially cables is a pain to deal with (although I've never been shot down when asking to work in)
    - Talking on the cell phone, or texting, or talking right next to me
    - Competitive people (excluding like training partners) - everyone is different, there is generally always someone faster or stronger unless your usain bolt or ronnie coleman - so check the attitude, everyone has to start somewhere
    - People working out in jeans
    - Not cleaning / Deracking equipment <--- biggest pet peeve as this is just courtesy and there is no reason not to

    Things I'm Guilty of:
    - I occasionally dance between sets, especially if Flo-Rida comes on my ipod
    - I bring pharm/micro notes to study between sets, or when i do my warm up - but i don't know if this actually bothers people
    - I'll admit it, I'm a guy - if a girl looks good i will def give a glance :ohwell: my apology, i try not to only cause I'm sure it makes women self conscious. But in my defense a lot of times i'm looking because either a) I am noticing someone is making good progress which is always good b) your doing some weird exercise that I think is actually cool and I want to try it - but yeah I'm sure it is a pain for a lot of women
  • mahidac
    mahidac Posts: 126 Member
    I'd be very happy that you are there! You are making a difference!
    As a person who's gotten dirty looks and being stared at at the gym while working out, I'd like to add as Locker Room Etiquette:

    I'm here to get healthier, you giving me dirty looks will only make me want to stay home and hide. Don't be a ****, fat people are people too. I know a 385 lb woman working out might be funny to SOME people but grow up and mind your own business.

    That's my two cents on locker room etiquette. :P

    I totally agree, they're stupid for throwing you dirty looks like that. Seriously! *******


    Hahah Thanks, hun. :) I love it when people are like "No one is looking at other people when they go to the gym, they're too into what they are doing to notice other people" - to that I say: Walk a mile in my shoes, that will change your mind about that pretty quickly. lol When you weigh what I do a lot of things change. The dirty looks and stares got so bad that I almost stopped going to the gym altogether. I guess it doesn't matter now, I've since moved and now that I live out here in California I can no longer afford a gym membership. lol But it's all good, I'm working out at home now.

    Everyone starts somewhere - nobody walks into fitness ripped, it's a journey for everyone and they are arrogant if they think they have some 'entitlement' to working out
  • StacySkinny
    StacySkinny Posts: 984 Member
    I'd be very happy that you are there! You are making a difference!
    As a person who's gotten dirty looks and being stared at at the gym while working out, I'd like to add as Locker Room Etiquette:

    I'm here to get healthier, you giving me dirty looks will only make me want to stay home and hide. Don't be a ****, fat people are people too. I know a 385 lb woman working out might be funny to SOME people but grow up and mind your own business.

    That's my two cents on locker room etiquette. :P

    I totally agree, they're stupid for throwing you dirty looks like that. Seriously! *******


    Hahah Thanks, hun. :) I love it when people are like "No one is looking at other people when they go to the gym, they're too into what they are doing to notice other people" - to that I say: Walk a mile in my shoes, that will change your mind about that pretty quickly. lol When you weigh what I do a lot of things change. The dirty looks and stares got so bad that I almost stopped going to the gym altogether. I guess it doesn't matter now, I've since moved and now that I live out here in California I can no longer afford a gym membership. lol But it's all good, I'm working out at home now.

    Everyone starts somewhere - nobody walks into fitness ripped, it's a journey for everyone and they are arrogant if they think they have some 'entitlement' to working out


    I totally agree. I wish more people would see it this way.
  • runwithmike
    runwithmike Posts: 145 Member
    After you are finished with your weights, bosu ball, medicine ball, etc. put it back where it belongs. I am tired of walking around trying to find out where something is or tripping over things. I don't like someone draping their sweaty towel on a bench and leave it there the entire time they are working out on other pieces of equipment.
  • I honestly hate the streakers in the locker room. Okay, so you're naked. We get it. It becomes annoying though when you have to constantly see people walking around in the buff.

    Once while sitting in the sauna at the downtown YMCA, this woman entered naked as the day she was born. It was extremely quiet already, but it felt like time stopped altogether when she whipped out a bottle of body wash and began to rub herself all over while making these... grunting noises and bending over---her tush was aimed right in my direction. I wasn't sure whether to make small talk, or wait until it passed...which felt like eternity.
  • riccoismydog
    riccoismydog Posts: 319 Member
    * My gym has mirrors set up in the free weight area. They are not to check your hair/muscles/*kitten* ect. I use them to check my form. Don't stand in front of me!

    * I went to a gym where you could book time on the cardio machines by prebooking on the whiteboard behind it. This really sucked. People would book the elliptical at four, the treadmill at four twenty and the stair climber at quarter to five. So it was pretty useless to even try to do cardio unless you pre booked. Also there was an hour limit on use. So you could technically prebook for an hour, an hour before you wanted to use it, and tie the machine up for an hour and a half. Ya, had to stop using that gym. People would pretty much prebook a circuit of cardio. Unless you only wanted to do twenty minutes, you were sure to get kicked off. Very rudely usually.

    Here is one especially for those of you on here who complain about girls dressing up for the gym -

    * Don't judge me for wearing cute clothes, makeup, ect. I try to look good at all times. I went to the hospital to give birth with a full face of makeup on. Why can't I work out looking cute too. I don't judge others who look like however they want. I don't wear a sports bra either, I wear a really good, real bra. Get over it. I can't find a sports bra that holds the girls the way my best bra does. It doesn't affect how I work out. I still work hard, use good form and lift what I should.

    * Don't look down your nose at what others are doing. We all have different desired outcomes, different sports/lifestyles we are training for. I used to have these muscle heads that would judge me for not lifting heavy enough. I really liked and continue to like the body I get from doing what I do.

    While on this subject, don't look down on unfit or overweight people. Whatever they are doing, no matter how easy it looks, is probably much harder for them at this point than your super heavy lifts, HIIT of whatever you are doing.

    * Yes I text on the machines. Get over it. I also read the news. It doesn't hurt you, it never will.

    * Be concientious of your use of space, and machines ect. A lot of people won't tell you that you are hogging the entire stretching area or other area. They will just silently curse you.

    I think that's about it.... :S

    *
  • I'm relatively new to gyms and wouldn't say I'm particularly conservative, but the guys casually strolling around the locker room naked is taking some getting used to. It only took one fleshy, bent-over bare butt in my face to quickly learn to use the top lockers.

    Side note: one of my mates on Twitter once walked in on a guy in the locker room blow-drying his todger...

    As for the gym floor, hoggers, non-wipers, and grunters annoy me too. I also don't understand the ones who read on a cardio machine, though nothing beats the woman I saw once drinking a coffee while taking a leisurely stroll on the treadmill (even the trainers looked at her askew).
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    My gym is actually pretty great, I work out in the women's section and it's quite big so there is never a wait for machines or anything. I do get aggravated when people don't wipe down the machines.

    I use my phone when I'm on the elliptical but it's to listen to music or watch tv/movie... My gym has 3 TVs on the wall, I'm a girl yes, but this does not mean I want to watch Desperate Housewives, 19 kids and counting, and what not to wear while I'm working out!
  • Barneystinson
    Barneystinson Posts: 1,357 Member
    My gym is actually pretty great, I work out in the women's section and it's quite big so there is never a wait for machines or anything. I do get aggravated when people don't wipe down the machines.

    I use my phone when I'm on the elliptical but it's to listen to music or watch tv/movie... My gym has 3 TVs on the wall, I'm a girl yes, but this does not mean I want to watch Desperate Housewives, 19 kids and counting, and what not to wear while I'm working out!

    My choices for viewing in the morning are Fox News or ESPN w/closed captioning. Kinda bums me out to be honest. I really wish they would put on the 6 ABC morning news out of Philly. They have it on in the locker rooms but not out in the gym. It's odd.

    I always lay a towel down on the bench or mat that I'm using and give the cardio stuff a wipedown. Too many horror stories about contracting MRSA or ringworm from the gym. *shudders*
  • Nikki582
    Nikki582 Posts: 561 Member
    All this talk of wiping down machines makes me blush at the stoopid that i did the other day - I sweated it out on a treadmill for half an hour, then decided to move to a bike.. got on it already sweaty, got off it and it was gross, went to get some cleaning stuff - left my towel and bottle on the bike... came back wiped it down.. then thought ".... where's my towel?" which is when I looked to the machine beside the one I'd just cleaned.. then behind me to the other gym regular on a treadmill cracking up at me.. haha :laugh:

    Aah well, both the bikes ended up nice and clean :tongue:
  • DiscipleN2k
    DiscipleN2k Posts: 24 Member
    How come some guys at the gym when lifting they grunt like they are having an orgasm? it sounds like they are having sex ahhhhhhh then boom goes the weights.

    Did they just have erection?

    I honestly did this a lot when I did powerlifting in high school. I see it as something like the kiai in martial arts. At the very least, it forces you to breathe through the movement so you don't black out from holding your breath. But there does seem to be something about the grunting (or the weird growl/scream thing that I end up doing), even if it's purely psychological, that helps me to squeeze a bit more power out of my muscles when they've hit their limit.

    As for the other pet peeves, I can totally understand being irritated at discourteous behavior (leaving sweaty equipment, not racking weights, etc.), since they directly impact your experience at the gym. But I don't get why people are bothered by the other stuff. What does it matter if someone wants to text while they're walking on the treadmill (as long as they have their phone silenced) or shows up to the gym in jeans. It's silly and impractical, sure, but it's their choice. Things like that can only bother you if you let them.
  • Exercising in jeans is always wrong (and a little funny). That is why I made a whole blog dedicated to it: joggingjeans.com
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