Gym etiquette for newbies

1246

Replies

  • KatrinaWilke
    KatrinaWilke Posts: 372 Member
    This has been said alot......but PLEASE RE-RACK YOUR WEIGHTS!!!! Especially if you just did leg presses and have ten 45lb plates on the machine. While I enjoy the extra workout of taking your weights off for you............I don't like doing your work for you!!!!!!
  • NordicAlien
    NordicAlien Posts: 110 Member
    Don't leave newspapers and magazines in the sauna. Seriously. There is a HUGE sign right next to the door that says so, but every day I'm having to remove them when they're turning crispy. I don't know why people take them in there in the first place. You cannot possibly be so busy that the five or ten minutes you spend in the sauna is wasted if you can't read the Wall Street Journal or Cosmo while you're in there.

    Aside from that, I got nothing. The people at my gym are great.

    All of these "clean the equipment" comments - just wiping down with a towel is okay, right? We're not expected to carry a spray bottle of disinfectant with us or something? Because I've seen a couple people carrying purse-sized Dettol and using it on a the machines, and I could never figure out if I was supposed to be doing that or if they're germophobes.
  • CassieRoark
    CassieRoark Posts: 21
    If you have evidence of a rash, or a fungus, or a virus, please stay the **** home, thank you.

    :sick: I hope I never witness this.

    I did witness this. AWFUL!
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I have not figured out exactly what the issue is here yet, but last night both the barbell I used and the hand grips for chin ups were GREASY. That's all kinds of wrong- if you for some reason are lubed up from tanning or something when you lift, you need to wipe down after yourself. That ish is GROSS. (and, that is the work-friendly explanation, I don't even want to bring up the other ideas people came up with on my wall about this)
  • capnrus789
    capnrus789 Posts: 2,736 Member
    No crop dusting on the walking/jogging track.

    JM

    Guilty.:blushing:
  • erniewebbiii
    erniewebbiii Posts: 1,174 Member
    Also, don't grunt like a damn gorilla when you're lifting. Nobody's impressed with your one rep of 300 pounds. Well, I suppose if you curled 300 maybe.

    I hate that!! I understand a little grunting, but it really startles me when someone does one rep of a super heavy weight and lets out a huge cry. It sounds like they are dying!
    [/quote]

    I work at a university so lots of "showing off" on our campus gym. I haven't seen the guy this year, but last academic year one student grunted during every set, and loudly. In addition to being a pathetic way of drawing attention, it's disruptive (and sometimes startling if really loud) to everybody else.
  • basslinewild
    basslinewild Posts: 294 Member
    Don't leave newspapers and magazines in the sauna. Seriously. There is a HUGE sign right next to the door that says so, but every day I'm having to remove them when they're turning crispy. I don't know why people take them in there in the first place. You cannot possibly be so busy that the five or ten minutes you spend in the sauna is wasted if you can't read the Wall Street Journal or Cosmo while you're in there.

    Aside from that, I got nothing. The people at my gym are great.

    All of these "clean the equipment" comments - just wiping down with a towel is okay, right? We're not expected to carry a spray bottle of disinfectant with us or something? Because I've seen a couple people carrying purse-sized Dettol and using it on a the machines, and I could never figure out if I was supposed to be doing that or if they're germophobes.

    My gym provides disinfectant bottles. I thought all gyms did, but maybe not.
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    Don't leave newspapers and magazines in the sauna. Seriously. There is a HUGE sign right next to the door that says so, but every day I'm having to remove them when they're turning crispy. I don't know why people take them in there in the first place. You cannot possibly be so busy that the five or ten minutes you spend in the sauna is wasted if you can't read the Wall Street Journal or Cosmo while you're in there.

    Aside from that, I got nothing. The people at my gym are great.

    All of these "clean the equipment" comments - just wiping down with a towel is okay, right? We're not expected to carry a spray bottle of disinfectant with us or something? Because I've seen a couple people carrying purse-sized Dettol and using it on a the machines, and I could never figure out if I was supposed to be doing that or if they're germophobes.

    My gym provides disinfectant bottles. I thought all gyms did, but maybe not.

    Every gym I've been to has provided spray bottles. With the crap out there these days it's disgusting if one doesn't.
  • Deedsie
    Deedsie Posts: 348 Member
    Don't leave newspapers and magazines in the sauna. Seriously. There is a HUGE sign right next to the door that says so, but every day I'm having to remove them when they're turning crispy. I don't know why people take them in there in the first place. You cannot possibly be so busy that the five or ten minutes you spend in the sauna is wasted if you can't read the Wall Street Journal or Cosmo while you're in there.

    Aside from that, I got nothing. The people at my gym are great.

    All of these "clean the equipment" comments - just wiping down with a towel is okay, right? We're not expected to carry a spray bottle of disinfectant with us or something? Because I've seen a couple people carrying purse-sized Dettol and using it on a the machines, and I could never figure out if I was supposed to be doing that or if they're germophobes.

    My gym provides disinfectant bottles. I thought all gyms did, but maybe not.

    Every gym I've been to has provided spray bottles. With the crap out there these days it's disgusting if one doesn't.

    We have disinfectant wipes at my gym. I always wipe everything down even if I don't touch it because I figure I might have coughed on it or something. The flu is bad this year and you don't know you are carrying it until after you have already had it for hours.
  • JenM76
    JenM76 Posts: 38 Member
    Lately I've seen alot of threads about Gyms being overrun by New Years resolutionists, What do I / you hate at the gym, etc. Nothing wrong with those, but I thought we could create a thread to introduce new gym goers to some proper gym etiquette, as often people don't even know they are violating any "code of conduct" if you will. Might help everyone have a better gym experience.
    I'll start, and feel free to add.

    Wipe down all the equipment you use
    Don't curl in the squat rack.

    I don't belong to a gym anymore. I am lucky enough to have a gym I can use for free at work, so I go there on my official lunch break. It is really a place people to for personal training, so not the same clients as at a regular gym. I also force myself to use the gym at the clubhouse at my apartment.
    But, when I did belong to a gym, I hated when they didn't wipe down the equipment. The sweat on there is gross...but this time of year is flu season as well. Just saying.
    I hated going in at the end of December and having my pick of treadmill and/or weight machine (and no wait time), then coming in after the first of the year and having to wait 30 min for the treadmill and being behind the group of cackling ladies on the weight machines.
  • JenM76
    JenM76 Posts: 38 Member
    Oh, one question. Who the hell works out in jeans.....with a regular belt???? Really? How

    I saw a guy workout in Pajama's. Not impressed. Haha.

    Uhh...my son wears his jeans. He is 10, and we go directly to the clubhouse to do the treadmill. If I go home first, I'm never going back out again. And, with it being cold, I'd rather do the treadmill. Still, even if we go outside when it is warm, he wears jeans. :D I have seen these people as well. But, if they are comfy and can move in the jeans/belt...I say go ahead. What concerns me more are those that workout in the wrong shoes. I have literally seen guys wearing "work shoes" to walk on the treadmill.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    Don't touch me. A guy once mosied over to the stationary bike next to my treadmill after working out on the weights and reached out to roll a sweaty finger over my wedding ring and asked me "married?" then "how long?" then "happily?" Way too much. That seriously scared me off the gym for days.
  • amy1612
    amy1612 Posts: 1,356 Member


    I have weight lifting gloves, and i do use them, so don't give me the look of "why do you have those on along with a watch?" (my hrm is the polar FT 4). I also am new to lifting so stop looking at me as though girls shouldn't be lifting. :angry:


    Lol, theyre judging the gloves, not you lifting. Get some chalk :wink: :tongue:

    If I like to wear winter mittens while I work out, get over it and pay attention to your damn self.

    Hahahahahahha!!! Ive heard lack of individual finger use is great for grip strength:wink:

    I feel lucky that I go to a great gym. New people are treat like friends and welcomed into the fold. Everyone is helpful, friendly, supportive and non-judgemental. We have all different kinds of people who train all different kinds of ways....runners, fighters, lifters, dancers....Its good to have a mixed bag. My advice to newbies is don't be scared, everyone took their first step through the door once.
  • hopsonc24
    hopsonc24 Posts: 143 Member
    I am sure these have been covered but it never hurts to issue a reminder

    Do not wear loose shorts and allow your junk to hang out
    WIpe down the F'ing machine..I do not want to sit in your sweat
    Get of your d@mn phone..I do not want to hear your obnoxious laugh and stupid conversation
    Do not sit on the freakking machines and have conversation with other, stand up and do that or go outside! i am there to workout (unheard of I know)
    If you have to grunt so loud you make everyone else uncomfortable, try lifting a bit less. I am all about pushing yourself, but seriously dude, this is a gym not a porno
    Lastly WIPE OFF THE F'ING MACHINES

    And with that..I bid you good day
  • JustinAnimal
    JustinAnimal Posts: 1,335 Member
    Hard to disagree most of the comments on this thread. Cell phones, overly stinky people (that includes perfume / cologne), not cleaning up after yourself (weights, wiping down equipment, leaving your personal affects at a machine or on the floor), etc. are all really obnoxious.

    Thought I'd add:

    -People who watch the godd@mn t.v. more than they work out. They just take up space and get in the way.
    -People who use my precious equipment to go slower than they would walk around the grocery store. We have one bike at our tiny gym and there is usually and older person going slower than you could imagine when trying to exercise. I'm not being a jerk on this one either. They literally are pedaling 12 rpms and aren't doing a cooldown, aren't exercising. They are just watching t.v. Seriously, you lazy *kitten*, why don't you march in place at home and watch the t.v.
    -People who don't know how to do a push-up. It ain't hard. And when you grunt and moan and stare down the girls while doing so, yet can't keep your back straight or don't get your nose close the ground, you piss me off AND you don't impress the girls. It's not hard.
  • i_am_kate
    i_am_kate Posts: 60
    I haven't been to the gym in a while, but I found the worst thing was working out in the women's section and having all these extremely fit women staring at me with a look of disgust on their faces. I wasn't a big person, just had a little extra flab, but why would you think it's fair to stare at someone else when you were in the same boat at some point?

    This is why I prefer working out around men. They're not as judgmental and will give you a hand if they notice you're having some trouble.
  • Anthonydaman
    Anthonydaman Posts: 854 Member
    Don't stand right in front of the dumb bell rack and do your set, take three steps back and be courteous to other people who want use the dumb bells as well.
    and;
    Put the bells back in pairs, doesn't even have to be in order. How lazy are you that you paired a 20 with a 45, come on!
  • Simone_King
    Simone_King Posts: 467 Member
    Don't bleach like a cave man.
  • NordicAlien
    NordicAlien Posts: 110 Member
    Don't leave newspapers and magazines in the sauna. Seriously. There is a HUGE sign right next to the door that says so, but every day I'm having to remove them when they're turning crispy. I don't know why people take them in there in the first place. You cannot possibly be so busy that the five or ten minutes you spend in the sauna is wasted if you can't read the Wall Street Journal or Cosmo while you're in there.

    Aside from that, I got nothing. The people at my gym are great.

    All of these "clean the equipment" comments - just wiping down with a towel is okay, right? We're not expected to carry a spray bottle of disinfectant with us or something? Because I've seen a couple people carrying purse-sized Dettol and using it on a the machines, and I could never figure out if I was supposed to be doing that or if they're germophobes.

    My gym provides disinfectant bottles. I thought all gyms did, but maybe not.

    Every gym I've been to has provided spray bottles. With the crap out there these days it's disgusting if one doesn't.

    We have disinfectant wipes at my gym. I always wipe everything down even if I don't touch it because I figure I might have coughed on it or something. The flu is bad this year and you don't know you are carrying it until after you have already had it for hours.

    Duly noted. I guess I'll start carrying disinfectant with me, and suggest that the gym put some out. Mostly I just see people sitting with their towels between them and the seat, and a few who brought their own - I've never seen bottles of cleaning products set out for customer use. Dunno if that's an English thing or just a dodgy gym, heh.
  • Sickgrin
    Sickgrin Posts: 33 Member
    It's generally frowned upon to use dirt from the potted plant as chalk. The gym is filthy enough without people rubbing potting soil on the equipment.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    It's generally frowned upon to use dirt from the potted plant as chalk. The gym is filthy enough without people rubbing potting soil on the equipment.

    WUT.

    Seriously? lol.
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    When there are five ellipticals free please don't choose the one RIGHT next to me. Like... weird?

    That is also proper urinal etiquette.
  • dirtnap63
    dirtnap63 Posts: 1,387 Member
    Don't bleach like a cave man.

    People do their wash at the gym?
  • Sickgrin
    Sickgrin Posts: 33 Member
    It's generally frowned upon to use dirt from the potted plant as chalk. The gym is filthy enough without people rubbing potting soil on the equipment.

    WUT.

    Seriously? lol.

    Yep, I kid you not. On more than one occasion too.

    The things you see over the years going to the the gym... I keep saying one day I'm going to take all the material and put together a hilarious short film.
  • Sallyafe1
    Sallyafe1 Posts: 18
    Hi,
    Grab your own squirt bottle, cloth and magazines. Many treadmill users track their time, or read. They no not want to be interrupted by"can I borrow your bottle? Be an adult.
    Wipe down the equipment after you use it. be respectful to all.
    Put back the weights after you use them.
    Don't toss your gym bag in the traffic lane. People HATE that.
    Ask if you are not sure a bench or machine is still being used.
    Shut your cell off!
    Never sit in a Nautilus machine to use your cell.
    Our gym attendant will pay you a visit, pronto!
  • wareagle8706
    wareagle8706 Posts: 1,090 Member
    Don't squat in the curl rack.

    FTW
  • jfrankic
    jfrankic Posts: 747 Member
    Don't hang your winter coat on a weight rack. Seriously......yes, some bro did that at my gym this morning!
  • suzzann666
    suzzann666 Posts: 334 Member
    If I walk away from a bench quickly after I push out a set, but leave my weights there, I'm not done. I pace between sets; don't steal my bench!
  • Anthonydaman
    Anthonydaman Posts: 854 Member
    Don't bleach like a cave man.

    People do their wash at the gym?
    I kept trying to think of witty response to this one, nice job
  • RunDoozer
    RunDoozer Posts: 1,699 Member
    Don't bleach like a cave man.

    People do their wash at the gym?
    I kept trying to think of witty response to this one, nice job

    I didn't know Eminem had been downgraded to cave man status.

Categories