Gym etiquette for newbies

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Replies

  • Admiral_Derp
    Admiral_Derp Posts: 866 Member
    Less of an etiquette thing, and more of a helpful tip: If you don't know how to use a machine, ask an employee, or if you're shy or embarrassed, do a little research before you go. It's really not that hard. You can go to Youtube and type in the name of the machine...for instance "pull-up assist machine" and you get handy videos like this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwwlc8xUJDE . I used to lift a lot and when I was starting out, I made a lot of stupid mistakes and on a couple of occasions I just about effed up a machine and/or myself.
  • farmboyphotography
    farmboyphotography Posts: 181 Member
    Yes, this thread is about gym etiquette for newbies. But seriously, seriously.... were you ever a noob at the gym? OBVIOUSLY. Maybe people should stop bltching and offer friendly guidance. Here is a better idea for all the egomaniacs and control freaks, PLEASE get yourself a home gym so you can work out uninterrupted. The bonus for the rest of us? There is more room in the gym once you take your oversized egos and walk your self-important arses out the door. Buh-bye!
  • farmboyphotography
    farmboyphotography Posts: 181 Member
    Stay out of my way
    Dont make eye contact with me unless you are female
    Don't look at me in the mirror.
    Stay out of my way.

    That should cover it.

    wow ego much


    THANK YOU! If you don't like interacting with people, go to the gym in the middle of the night!

    no. thanks though

    Can you honestly believe that your time in the gym is more important than that of other members? What a jacka$$.
  • Imasummerbug
    Imasummerbug Posts: 6 Member
    Don't hog a machine while yakking on your cell phone.

    Pay attention to space around you ... don't set up right next to me when you can see I'm working on doing flys, then glare because my arm with weight got too close to you

    When you see someone alternating machines, don't jump on the machine they just left and take over without making sure they are finished - simply ask if they are done (and most folks will be kind enough to let you know afterwards when they are done if you are not all the way across the gym by then or will even offer to let you work in between sets).

    Leave someone's station alone if they have it set up ... nothing more annoying that doing circuits and coming to your step station and the step with weights are gone. Again, ask if someone is using it and if they can let you know when it is free.

    Don't look down your nose at me because I dress to work out, not to impress the guy in the free weight section doing his curls.
  • trojanbb
    trojanbb Posts: 1,297 Member
    Stay out of my way
    Dont make eye contact with me unless you are female
    Don't look at me in the mirror.
    Stay out of my way.

    That should cover it.

    wow ego much


    THANK YOU! If you don't like interacting with people, go to the gym in the middle of the night!

    no. thanks though

    Can you honestly believe that your time in the gym is more important than that of other members? What a jacka$$.

    wow. how exactly does that pertain to leaving me alone in the gym. Oh wait, it doesn't. your leaps in logic are astounding.

    I wish to do my own thing in the gym without being constantly interrupted by hordes of bros and weekend warriors.

    thanks for the completely unwarranted and rather ironic namecalling though
  • WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr
    WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr Posts: 2,150 Member
    I realize that some newbies like to be in the back of the class, but please do not try to crowd someone else out of their space just because the only available space is at the front and you want to be in the back. Some people get to the class early to be in a specific spot, there may be a reason besides it being their "favorite" spot.

    In my case, I'm trying to be courteous to you and NOT interrupt your workout. That cellphone and pager that you pointed out because I have them in their cases clipped to my waistband (or in some cases for the pager to my sports bra) is on vibrate and I am required by my job (yes, I really do have a job that is THAT important) to respond to any calls on either within 5 minutes. If I am in the back of the class by the door and one of them vibrates, I can slip out of the room without disturbing the entire class and take care of my call outside and either return to class (again without disturbing the class) or leave altogether to go to my job.
  • JustinAnimal
    JustinAnimal Posts: 1,335 Member
    Having 43 pictures of yourself shirtless on MFP and being a raging boner...

    Oh, shoot, we were talking about gym etiquette. My bad.

    Seriously, though, showing off your abs is probably better suited for facebook.
  • bdamaster60
    bdamaster60 Posts: 595 Member
    Stay out of my way
    Dont make eye contact with me unless you are female
    Don't look at me in the mirror.
    Stay out of my way.

    That should cover it.

    wow ego much


    THANK YOU! If you don't like interacting with people, go to the gym in the middle of the night!

    no. thanks though

    Can you honestly believe that your time in the gym is more important than that of other members? What a jacka$$.

    wow. how exactly does that pertain to leaving me alone in the gym. Oh wait, it doesn't. your leaps in logic are astounding.

    I wish to do my own thing in the gym without being constantly interrupted by hordes of bros and weekend warriors.

    thanks for the completely unwarranted and rather ironic namecalling though

    I understand what he's saying. When I'm in the gym I like to focus, and zone out with my earphones in, not hearing anything, and not talk to anyone. The gym is not a place for socializing to me. If I want to socialize I will go somewhere else. Gym time is war time. However, of course if someone who is new or needs a spot asks me I'm glad to help or give a few pointers, but preferably I like it when people don't talk to me when I'm racking iron. Friend or stranger.
  • trojanbb
    trojanbb Posts: 1,297 Member
    Having 43 pictures of yourself shirtless on MFP and being a raging boner...

    Oh, shoot, we were talking about gym etiquette. My bad.

    Seriously, though, showing off your abs is probably better suited for facebook.

    do you even lift?
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    Having 43 pictures of yourself shirtless on MFP and being a raging boner...

    Oh, shoot, we were talking about gym etiquette. My bad.

    Seriously, though, showing off your abs is probably better suited for facebook.

    do you even lift?

    LOL!
  • _happycats_
    _happycats_ Posts: 105 Member
    If you and your friends (or just you alone) are using the dumbbells, please don't all start doing your sets of whatever in unison, directly in front of the dumbbell racks. Nobody else can access them without you moving or hitting someone. Back up a few steps and spread out, or even better, go to one of the free, open spaces designated for people to use free weights :)
  • djenah79
    djenah79 Posts: 23
    ~ Clean off the machine after you use it, and while you're at it, throw your towel in the garbage - not on the floor.
    ~ Do not sit at one machine for 20 minutes. I can finish 3 sets on several different machines in the time i see some people just SITTING at a machine doing nothing!
    ~ Oh you're in the circuit training section?? Read the rules! Do not DARE to come in the circuit training area and plop your *kitten* at the machine next in my rotation and fail to get up when the light goes red so I can move on.
    ~ Stop staring at me.
  • Amazon_Who
    Amazon_Who Posts: 1,092 Member
    Don't fall asleep on the equipment.

    There was a guy at the YMCA today sound asleep on a recumbent bike. I wish my temporary cell phone had a camera.
  • repulsiongel
    repulsiongel Posts: 12 Member
    Don't let loose a protein fart unless you give me ample warning to clear the kill zone.

    dead. i'm dead. lmao
  • Citamotua
    Citamotua Posts: 1
    NO CURLING IN THE GODDAMN SQUAT RACK.

    Don't do anything in the squat rack but squats!! ;) For deads please use the bar from the benchpress... ;)

    For real, clean your equipment after use, don't steal equipment (ask to work in, and if they say no, they're pretty much a jerk) , don't throw the weights down (unless on an olympic platform), and (i know this is asking a lot) try not to grunt too loud ;)

    Barbell Shrugs
    Military Press
    Bent Over Rows

    are all acceptable exercises to do in the squat rack.


    Damn right, no curling in the squat rack...ever! However, you can squat in the curl rack if need be ;)
    Barbell shrugs and bent over rows should also not be done in the squat rack (no need to), unless the gym is empty. If you don't have the strength to deadlift that weight up, you're going too heavy!

    Military presses are ok, but then again, clean that ish up and shoulder press like a BOSS!
  • JustinAnimal
    JustinAnimal Posts: 1,335 Member
    Having 43 pictures of yourself shirtless on MFP and being a raging boner...

    Oh, shoot, we were talking about gym etiquette. My bad.

    Seriously, though, showing off your abs is probably better suited for facebook.

    do you even lift?


    What would that have to do with gratuitous amounts of shirtless photos of yourself? Do you even modesty?

    Yes, I lift, but obviously not as seriously as you do. I'm not trying to bulk up so much as get more lean and toned. No bodybuilding for me. I just kind of think your attitude is sh!tty and you come off as pretty arrogant. Sorry for the post wars...
  • erniewebbiii
    erniewebbiii Posts: 1,174 Member
    One more ... don't spend 20 minutes in the shower stalls. Some of us actually have to get to work. That really pisses me off.

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