Gym Etiquette

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I don't think we all know the rules for gym etiquette. So you lost me right there.

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I would say as a general rule to leave it. I know you mean well and have the best of intentions, but the gym can be such a weird place for people that even saying something in the kindest way can really be misconstrued. It's still unsolicited and you can't concern yourself with it.

When I first started going to the gym, I was absolutely terrified of having contact with another human. I wouldn't work in with anyone because I was too intimidated to even ask how many sets someone had left. I didn't want to have eye contact with anyone. Being the only woman and a total beginner in the weight room at a pretty bro-y gym was really hard for me. I can honestly say, and yes this is a fault of my own, that had someone approached me at the beginning, even if it was meant with kindness, I might have stopped going. I know that's fragile and pathetic but it was incredibly intimidating for me.

But ... Then I had to put my big girl pants on and just own it. Now I work in with people regularly, ask randos to spot me, and even ask people to check my form and give comments on it. I was trying to do RDLs for the first time on Monday and ended up asking a guy for help and he was great. I've now had so many positive experiences with people at the gym and it's been really rewarding.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that to me, the best gym etiquette is to be open and supportive and helpful to the best of your abilities when those beginners approach you. I am so grateful for those that have helped me. That's the best way to go about it.

tincanonastring wrote: »

ceoverturf wrote: »

PeachyCarol wrote: »

People can't do their own thing in the gym. Even take up counter space. That will get cleared away in the sweep of an arm if certain people aren't happy about it because "community".

That's ok though cause the owner wasn't drowning....or something

The counter was drowning in clutter. It needed to be saved.

It's a full time job to survey the gym, watching for cluttered counters, drowning children, and random men who might be lifting weights the wrong way. Someone has to be the community leader.

If they are ego lifting and making a bit of a scene with it, you could always give one of these while one of them is looking at you:

So OP when did you get certified as a CPT or Strength Coach? What qualifies you to show these guys the error of their ways?

Giving out your pearls of wisdom to people who haven't asked for it isn't 'gym etiquette' it's obnoxious.

If you feel it is your absolute duty then go see one of the trainers and mention it to them, otherwise just concentrate on your own work out

kwtilbury wrote: »

MarziPanda95 wrote: »

I've never been to a gym, but I'm thinking of starting. I'd personally welcome any offers of help, because I know I'd be clueless! I can definitely see why it would annoy most people (especially guys) though.

No one is saying not to help others, just wait to be asked. I get asked for help all of the time and I'm glad to oblige.

You just don't want to be "that guy" who struts around the gym offering unsolicited advice. It's really annoying.

I'd have to agree. I've been given tips before during classes, and in those cases I wish they'd just left it alone. Once, during a BodyPump type class, a participant felt the need to correct my form while doing tricep kick backs. To me It was just disruptive and annoying, like get away from me, lady. The next one was really weird since it was the instructor herself. It was a rowing class where she kept coming over to me to tell me how to do it right. For crying out loud, I don't have to get it all in one damn day. Her weirdness continued because she would turn down the music any time I seemed like I was actually enjoying myself. Basically it seemed like this chick had banned fun in her class. **Shudders**

I can think of at least once instance where I've given tips unsolicited. In our step class, there's a certain type / color of risers that will slide if placed at the bottom of the step. The instructor will point it out if she sees or remembers, but since the participant could slide off a bench, hit her head and crack her skull open, it seems worth it to mention it to someone new to this particular class. Plus it'll save them the hassle of rearranging the risers later

Other times I do wait to be asked. I'm certainly not going to tell people that they've selected a weight that's too heavy for them. The instructors mention it as a generic tip from time to time during class, and they've obviously chosen to use an amount that has them doing the exercises with the form they do

floridamatty wrote: »

So why is it any different than people coming on here asking or giving advice as most of us as you put it arent certified yet thousands of questions are asked in this community from diet to exercise. Plus i may not be certified but neither was Arnie or Lou Feringo and would you feel they were obnoxious if they came and gave you free advice, i doubt it!! but like them ive been doing free weights a long time so i know, yes know about proper form and i can tell the difference between someone who knows what theyre doing and someone who doesnt.

When i work out at 4am there are no gym trainers except one older woman upstairs at the front desk and shes an office clerk not a fitness coach. Also from my personal experience when i first started out I wish someone had had the balls to say hey buddy let me show you a thing or two, so get off your high horse, i was just asking a question cause just maybe theres a lot of people out there who would like help

The difference is people are ASKING for advice on here.

When I'm on the gym floor (PT) I am very careful how I approach people if I see something dangerous, jimmies get rustled very easily in the gym. As for going round correcting people's form if I did I'd never have time for my clients.

And comparing yourself to Arnold and Lou..... Well played OP!

I might say something if they look like they're about to seriously injure themselves. I haven't seen anything so bad I've felt their safety was in immediate danger, but I would probably say something if it looked wildly unsafe like someone doing too much benching without a spot that was clearly struggling etc.

floridamatty wrote: »

Ironmaiden4life wrote: »

So OP when did you get certified as a CPT or Strength Coach? What qualifies you to show these guys the error of their ways?

Giving out your pearls of wisdom to people who haven't asked for it isn't 'gym etiquette' it's obnoxious.

If you feel it is your absolute duty then go see one of the trainers and mention it to them, otherwise just concentrate on your own work out

So why is it any different than people coming on here asking or giving advice as most of us as you put it arent certified yet thousands of questions are asked in this community from diet to exercise. Plus i may not be certified but neither was Arnie or Lou Feringo and would you feel they were obnoxious if they came and gave you free advice, i doubt it!! but like them ive been doing free weights a long time so i know, yes know about proper form and i can tell the difference between someone who knows what theyre doing and someone who doesnt.

When i work out at 4am there are no gym trainers except one older woman upstairs at the front desk and shes an office clerk not a fitness coach. Also from my personal experience when i first started out I wish someone had had the balls to say hey buddy let me show you a thing or two, so get off your high horse, i was just asking a question cause just maybe theres a lot of people out there who would like help

Arnold Schwarzenegger was a world-class body building competitor, and Lou Ferrigno was not only a professional body builder, but was a fitness trainer as well. Either of them would be well qualified to help anyone in the gym with proper form. Just 'doing free weights for a long time' doesn't exactly qualify you as an expert- there are people who do free weights on their own and find out after long periods of time that they've been doing things the wrong way.