Gym etiquette

Put the floor mats, weights, exercise balls, ect back where they belong.

Don't obsess in the mirror. My gym is small so the free weights are right in front of the mirror and a lot of people like to be right up against it when they lift and no one can get to the weights.

If you are sweating a lot or you see someone else who is, don't worry about it. Its a gym and if people have problems with sweat it's probably not the best place to be.

Don't be a bench hog. Once again I have a small gym with only a few weight benches and I have seen people stay on them for an hour straight.

Wipe down your cardio machine. A lot of people on here are saying wipe down everything, but at my gym we don't wipe down a weight machine only used for 30 seconds or a minute for a set of reps and this seems to be the norm. Plus we would use an ungodly amount of spray and paper towels. I don't sweat, so there's nothing for me to wipe either. If you get something sweaty then do. I guess it also depends on how things are at your gym.

Don't block where you scan/sign in at the front desk. If you need to talk to the receptionist then move away from the scanner.

If you are going to put something valuable in the locker than use a lock. It would be nice to trust everyone, but I have seen a member get their purse stolen.

Wear flip flops in the showers.

If you have TVs at your cardio machines then turn them off when you are done. If not the staff has to come around and deal with it amongst many other closing duties when they are trying to go home.

Just to add to an earlier comment of wearing same clothes. I tend to wear the same yoga pants to the gym just b/c they are tight and don't move around like all my other ones do and I can't find any other pair like them. I don't ever sweat, so there is no problem for me wearing them a few days in a row. They smell and look the same as the day I took them out of the washer. I don't think anyone notices either.

Lol, i think etiquette should be that if you are super slim and tall and pretty, you should be BANNED from wearing tight lycra crop tops and hot pants and then picking the treadmill NEXT TO ME!!!

And people wonder why i quit the gym and start running outside lol!...

lol!!! Loving this!

As a 17 year employee of the gym here is what works best :

1. Have your I.D. out and ready ( even if we know you )
2. Bring a towel to wipe up your sweat after using anything
3. 30 min limit on cardio during peak hours ( off peak , as long as you like when others are not around )
4.Women - Leave the makeup and attitude at home, your at the gym
5. Men - leave the cologne at home and use deoderant, your at the gym
6. Don't "love yourself' too much in the mirrors, it looks narcisstic
7. Always, always,always...rerack your weights, no one like a cluttered gym
8. If it's to heavy for you to put down softly, use lighter weight
9. Don't bang the weight stacks on selectorized equipment
10. If there is no soap in the showers, don't rip the dispenser off the wall...just let the front desk know and we will refill
11. You bring reading materials, take them with you when you leave, not all over the floor where you just did cardio for 30 mins.
12. Wear proper gym attire, no flip flops, it's a safety thing
13. Be polite to others that may not know their way around the gym, help them and use the staff , that' what we are here for
14. DON"T SPIT IN THE DRINKING FOUNTAIN !
15. DON"T BLOW YOUR NOSE IN THE SHOWERS / SINKS !
16. DON"T SPIT IN THE POOL !
17.Limit cell phone use, we don't care about your conversation
18. If your gym has a aerobics room and there is a sign that says " please do not enter while class is in session" ...don't enter.
19. Men ( or women ) don't be a " lurcher " when women are in the yoga room ( seriously , why do I even have to metion this )
20. HAVE FUN !!!!!!!!!

I should print this list out and post it everywhere at the gym. Fantastic man, you nailed it right on the head.

When I'm at the gym, it is usually for a class, please don't chat during class, I would like to hear the instructions, not who your neighbor is sleeping with, and which hip they just had replaced.

One other thing, if you see me there, please note, I always have my phone with me, but that is because my mama has Parkinson's and if she falls, I have to go pick her up, and my uncle has a bad heart, I take care of him too. So, don't be offended, if I have to drop everything and race out. I have told all of the instructors this, so they all understand.

i think everyone covered just about everything...but here is something to think about...my pet peeve is when someone picks up a spray bottle and sprays the mist all over the machine. it always goes in the air and it just sucks if you are running beside them when they do this as you get to inhale it! I always spray the cloth (keeping the nozzle covered by the cloth) and then wipe the machine with the cloth.

just a thought

A few more recommendations

I always bring two t shirts . One to work out in and the other to change into for the ride home. I tend to sweat heavily on the treadmill.

Change your workout clothes. I can't tell you how many times I see the same people in the gym wearing the same workout clothes three days in a row. I know maybe they are washing them each night.

I always wear the same clothes to the gym. I don't have a whole lot of stuff that fits me and I don't wanna sweat all over my "good clothes". So, I wear a pair of black shorts and a t-shirt (or tank if it is hot outside). As soon as I get home, I toss all of it the washer. Don't assume because someone is wearing the same thing to the gym that they don't wash it first. Perhaps they're like me and don't wanna wear other clothes.

Don't stand at the drinking fountain trying to catch your breath when the line behind you is longer than the line for World Series tickets. Take a drink, and get back in line. Better yet, carry a water bottle in the weight room. For some reason, many people who use a water bottle on the stationary bikes and stairclimbers don't think of carrying one around the strength training area. When you do fill up your bottle, let everyone else in line get a drink first; don't hold up the entire gym membership while you fill a gallon-sized water jug.

Oh, I forgot the most important one of all and for good reason !! .....Women please cover your eyes now , you have been warned.........Guys, please dont ever, ever, ever, EVER be " that guy ". You know the one, he uses the hand dryer for his junk ! Talk about disgusting ......use your towel !......Funny thing is we actually had a member take it upon himself to print up stickers with a picture depicting a pair of you know whats and the classic red circle with a line through it and plastered them all over the hand dryers!!!!....Funniest thing ever!!!

Oh, I forgot the most important one of all and for good reason !! .....Women please cover your eyes now , you have been warned.........Guys, please dont ever, ever, ever, EVER be " that guy ". You know the one, he uses the hand dryer for his junk ! Talk about disgusting ......use your towel !......Funny thing is we actually had a member take it upon himself to print up stickers with a picture depicting a pair of you know whats and the classic red circle with a line through it and plastered them all over the hand dryers!!!!....Funniest thing ever!!!

Men really do that?

OMG.

Valuables in locker, I've worked at gyms that 7-8 lockers will get hit all at once. One guy will stand as a look out and the friend will use a huge screwdriver to rip open lockers. happened a few thimes. Gotta love the city.

I was wondering about that1! Should i just 'lock' things in my car such as purse and such?

And thank you for the comment about sweating..I sweat a LOT! I also turn really red when just doing normal things

All this has really helped..I know to wipe of machines, not block the mirrors, put things back, and not be self-conscious! thank you soo much!! If you have more suggestions..keep them coming!!

I lock my purse in my trunk of my car when I go!