Gym etiquette
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MelanieCN77 wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »
When I see someone doing a workout that I personally don't see the point of, I don't conclude automatically that it's ineffectual. They may have goals or limitations that I don't quite understand.
Yes, this. I've been doing a light day at high reps and low weight and I'm like... I wonder if people think I'm just tooling around? How would they know I'm coming off a *kitten* cold or an injury is on its way out and I'm testing the waters... and then that carries over to how I see what other people are up to. You can't possibly know what an individual's plans are for that day just by looking.
As for the "taking up space" comment and using equipment that someone else could be doing better with?
Reminds me of when someone came up to me when I was squatting in the rack and asked me how many sets I had. When I told him he replied that "some of us want to shift big boy weights". I just told him that he looked like the sort that likes big boys and left it like that.
Needless to say that his form was horrendous but hey, he had a belt so I know he was hardcore
That’s amazing. Who talks like that
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Needless to say that his form was horrendous but hey, he had a belt so I know he was hardcore
eish. but just imagine how hard it would have sucked if his form had been perfect.
honestly, i haven't found myself feeling very safe counting on 'if you're a dick then you're also a poseur . . . and also, your lifts will be *kitten*' in the public space that i use. not an issue in the once-a-week private space because the guy who owns it doesn't allow either one of those things.
there just hasn't been any hard-and-fast rule. some of the most entitled dickheads i've seen have also had some of the most beautiful form.unfortunately. but that's my own childish petty side talking, of course1 -
joemac1988 wrote: »nakedraygun wrote: »
That’s awesome.aliencheesecake wrote: »I think when gym’s sign up new members they should give them a gym etiquette lesson along with the tour of the gym. Maybe post up signs too for old members to remind them of things like:
Rerack your weights
Don’t stare
Don’t interrupt people when they are in the middle of a set
Wipe equipment don’t after use (nobody wants to lay in your sweat & dandruff)
If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
Don’t think it’s okay to use 3 machines at the same time when people are waiting to use them.
If you are just sitting on a machine to use your phone or chit chat with your friend. Get off of it until you are ready to use it.
I’m sure I’ll get criticized for this post. But it honestly seems like common sense & courtesy to me.
YES! And "No loud grunting or dropping weights!"
Where should these guys grunt instead? Oh I know, perhaps when they at the library or church — maybe during a funeral — because a gym isn’t the place to exert yourself apparently.
Lol! You know what bothers me? People that daintily lift light weights, barely breaking a sweat or even breathing hard and continue to look the same week after week, month after month, year after year.
I like you. But I just thought I’d throw this perspective in there. I don’t care what people do at the gym. If someone left something out and it bothers me, I just put it away and move on with my life. Grunting doesn’t bother me a bit. Just occasionally startles me. Lol. I think if heavy lifting is what you want to do, more power to you. And happy for you and your results.
Now on the end you are referring to. I lift light weights. And I never go higher then a certain amount. Do I look different week after week? No. Do I look different year after year? Barely. But do I look different then I did 5 years ago? A ton! I lost 80 lbs and look completely different. But I got to a point where I am satisfied with where I am. I don’t want to change much. There are a few things I would like to change but have realized that if I want to have that. (Such as no cellulite) I would have to lose more weight or gain more muscle in my legs. Neither of which I want. So I accept my cellulite and am still proud of how I look, regadless of a few imperfections. Just because I don’t change when you see me. Does not mean I’m not doing something there. I am maintaining the body I have worked very hard to get.
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Many of the comments here are reasons why I am not a big fan of the gym. So much judgyness. Who cares if someone doesn't lift heavy. I can understand the annoyance if someone is texting away on a machine, but so what if someone is lifting a lighter set. Maybe they're lifting weights simply for bone health reasons. Not everyone likes lifting heavy. Not everyone wants to look like an olympic lifter. Save your judgements and worry about your own workout.
Also, wipe your sweat. It's friggen nasty if you don't clean the machine after sitting on it with a sweaty groin. Please be considerate of other gym goers.
I don't see the big deal with grunting or dropping weights if there are no specific rules against it. If there are and you want to do these activities, find a more suitable gym or invest in a home gym. I don't see the big deal here. Rules are rules.5 -
Each machine is calibrated slightly different from the next, heart rate monitor, resistance level are different from machine to machine... to effectively monitor progress... I try to use the same machineI have a favorite treadmill and I don't care who is next to it or if there are hundreds that are empty. I am so going on my favorite. And I will give a person the stink eye if they are on my treadmill!!! LOL!
What makes a treadmill a favorite? I’m not trying to be funny, I’m genuinely curious.
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OK so I totally agree however as a guy I must say I try not to STARE, but and I know how comfortable those yoga pants must be. I try not to make it obvious, but your just gonna have to hit me over the head with that gladiator thing. I mean I'm a guy and if you got the booty I just cannot help myself. What am I suppose to do stare at the empty machine or the console.
don't dress like ur going to a porn shot.3 -
razorbackred46 wrote: »OK so I totally agree however as a guy I must say I try not to STARE, but and I know how comfortable those yoga pants must be. I try not to make it obvious, but your just gonna have to hit me over the head with that gladiator thing. I mean I'm a guy and if you got the booty I just cannot help myself. What am I suppose to do stare at the empty machine or the console.
don't dress like ur going to a porn shot.
What exactly does that mean? I highly doubt a woman wearing a pair of yoga pants is making her way to a porn shoot. Learn to control yourself for God's sake.10 -
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I think when gym’s sign up new members they should give them a gym etiquette lesson along with the tour of the gym. Maybe post up signs too for old members to remind them of things like:
Rerack your weights
Don’t stare
Don’t interrupt people when they are in the middle of a set
Wipe equipment don’t after use (nobody wants to lay in your sweat & dandruff)
If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
Don’t think it’s okay to use 3 machines at the same time when people are waiting to use them.
If you are just sitting on a machine to use your phone or chit chat with your friend. Get off of it until you are ready to use it.
I’m sure I’ll get criticized for this post. But it honestly seems like common sense & courtesy to me.
Most gyms I have been to have signs for most of these apart from the common sense ones and they all have an induction session which tends to cover a few of the above listed too. It is annoying sometimes, but does everyone not get annoyed at people at work, in the grocery store, at the doctors' surgery, the dentist, etc. Do we all need an etiquette list for every single place we go... I mean do we need to be nannied and can there not be more tolerance for the odd (I am sure every single time you visit the gym, there is not someone annoying you), infraction?!
I bet you OP have annoyed some person at some time or other, no?2 -
Uh, remember that some of us are lifting those "little bitty weights" because we have we have a weight limitation due to an injury and can't lift heavy. My pet peeve is folks who leave 50 lb plates on equipment that there is no possible way I can safely move it so I have to go find a staff member or a kind, muscle bound weight lifter to do it for me. Also, by the time you are middle aged, staying "the same from year to year" actually results from lots of hard work and many hours in the gym. I have been a "gym rat" for over 10 years. At this point my heroes are the seventy and eighty year olds who are still getting in their daily workouts, still are flexible and strong, and still independent.14
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kristingjertsen wrote: »Uh, remember that some of us are lifting those "little bitty weights" because we have we have a weight limitation due to an injury and can't lift heavy. My pet peeve is folks who leave 50 lb plates on equipment that there is no possible way I can safely move it so I have to go find a staff member or a kind, muscle bound weight lifter to do it for me. Also, by the time you are middle aged, staying "the same from year to year" actually results from lots of hard work and many hours in the gym. I have been a "gym rat" for over 10 years. At this point my heroes are the seventy and eighty year olds who are still getting in their daily workouts, still are flexible and strong, and still independent.
Some people have the belief that the only true form of fitness is lifting heavy and doing minimal cardio. Some of them look down upon other people who like other forms of exercise. Don't let it bother you. I believe the majority of heavy lifters have open minds and understand that there are others who cannot lift heavy or just do not want to.
I do not like lifting weights. I find it very boring and don't get any kind of inspiration doing it. The only reason why I do it is because I know it's good for my bones. I prefer lifting lighter and more reps. I don't know why, but it's much more enjoyable for me than lifting heavy. Sometimes I go months without lifting and I don't lose muscle bulk or strength. I still have no issue moving furniture or hauling and cutting firewood.
Do what works for you.
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RavenLibra wrote: »
Each machine is calibrated slightly different from the next, heart rate monitor, resistance level are different from machine to machine... to effectively monitor progress... I try to use the same machineI have a favorite treadmill and I don't care who is next to it or if there are hundreds that are empty. I am so going on my favorite. And I will give a person the stink eye if they are on my treadmill!!! LOL!
What makes a treadmill a favorite? I’m not trying to be funny, I’m genuinely curious.
Hate to say it but no gym "calibrates" a cardio machine. They install it as it comes from the factory, will adjust as it wears/belts stretch, etc, but they don't go around and "calibrate" on a regular basis.
IMO, you are overthinking the monitoring of your workout if you have to use the same treadmill when training. Maybe the same brand/model, for consistency but not the same one.
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JerSchmare wrote: »The only thing that really bugs me now is we have a lot of people who use the benches to set their phones and towels on, and rest the dumbbells on between their sets, as they workout NEXT TO THE BENCH.
I’ve gotten over most other things people do, but this thing just absolutely raises my blood pressure.
I just mocking apologize and ask if I can use their coffee table?3 -
Binky_Muffin wrote: »kristingjertsen wrote: »Uh, remember that some of us are lifting those "little bitty weights" because we have we have a weight limitation due to an injury and can't lift heavy. My pet peeve is folks who leave 50 lb plates on equipment that there is no possible way I can safely move it so I have to go find a staff member or a kind, muscle bound weight lifter to do it for me. Also, by the time you are middle aged, staying "the same from year to year" actually results from lots of hard work and many hours in the gym. I have been a "gym rat" for over 10 years. At this point my heroes are the seventy and eighty year olds who are still getting in their daily workouts, still are flexible and strong, and still independent.
Some people have the belief that the only true form of fitness is lifting heavy and doing minimal cardio. Some of them look down upon other people who like other forms of exercise. Don't let it bother you. I believe the majority of heavy lifters have open minds and understand that there are others who cannot lift heavy or just do not want to.
I do not like lifting weights. I find it very boring and don't get any kind of inspiration doing it. The only reason why I do it is because I know it's good for my bones. I prefer lifting lighter and more reps. I don't know why, but it's much more enjoyable for me than lifting heavy. Sometimes I go months without lifting and I don't lose muscle bulk or strength. I still have no issue moving furniture or hauling and cutting firewood.
Do what works for you.
This is why I love my gym, powerlifters (like me) train along side strongmen, bodybuilders, weight lifters, boxers and older people just trying to stay mobile. We do not have traditional cardio machines, but you can flip a tire or push a sled in the parking lot. No one diminishes anyone's training method.3 -
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[quote=
This is why I love my gym, powerlifters (like me) train along side strongmen, bodybuilders, weight lifters, boxers and older people just trying to stay mobile. We do not have traditional cardio machines, but you can flip a tire or push a sled in the parking lot. No one diminishes anyone's training method.[/quote]
My gym is pretty conventional. I've been there since September but thinking of cancelling my membership. I'm starting to get bored. I'm just not a gym/weights person. I love running, walking, swimming and cycling. I push my daughter in the jogging stroller, so I feel like that is a bit of resistance training for my arms and my legs. I did discover fitness blender videos on youtube. This definitely got me out of my comfort zone. The video I tried used a lot of body weight exercises. It felt effective to me.
What works for one may not work for others. I feel that some people really overthink exercise. CrossFit/heavy lifting is not a magic ticket to health. I feel that a balanced diet and moderate resistance training/cardio is good enough. If you are looking to body build or enter physique competitions, of course what I prefer would not be enough.
This whole thing of getting annoyed because someone is lifting a lighter weight really is silly. Get over yourself and go use another machine in the interim. Be happy that people are trying to get fit.3 -
joemac1988 wrote: »aliencheesecake wrote: »I think when gym’s sign up new members they should give them a gym etiquette lesson along with the tour of the gym. Maybe post up signs too for old members to remind them of things like:
Rerack your weights
Don’t stare
Don’t interrupt people when they are in the middle of a set
Wipe equipment don’t after use (nobody wants to lay in your sweat & dandruff)
If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
Don’t think it’s okay to use 3 machines at the same time when people are waiting to use them.
If you are just sitting on a machine to use your phone or chit chat with your friend. Get off of it until you are ready to use it.
I’m sure I’ll get criticized for this post. But it honestly seems like common sense & courtesy to me.
YES! And "No loud grunting or dropping weights!"
FFS it's right there on the wall. I hear dudes practically having anal aneurysms and then drop their weights and it annoys the *kitten* out of me.
Grunting: There are scientific studies that show if you grunt, you get a burst in strength. Google it.
Dropping weights: To quietly lower a weight (the eccentric portion) that is at or near your 1 rep max on a movement like deadlift, you would be putting yourself at high risk of injury.
I agree, some people grunt and bang unnecessarily but a gym is not meant to have a spa-like atmosphere. If you want serenity when you workout, maybe yoga is up your alley? Or, throw on some headphones and drown em out!
I tend to do what I call my "primal scream" when I need to get a heavy lift, but there's another guy at my gym that grunts while just lifting the bar (45lbs) for his warm ups. Fortunately, I belong to a lifting gym (no cardio equipment except for an old recumbent bike) so no one complains about my screaming.
Here's the thing with etiquette, If I hear Aaarrrgh Clang!... look over and you're Recovering or reracking, It's all good.
If I hear Aaarrgh Clang! Look over, and hear it again... and again... and again.... and again. Then you're posturing.
Nothing wrong with grunting... nothing wrong with a little bit of a clang at the end of a deadlift. But when it goes on for 10 or 15 reps... And then I see you take a 30 second break and add another plate and 10-15 more reps. I may walk over and point out that you're working with less weight than my wife warms up with.7 -
nexangelus wrote: »I think when gym’s sign up new members they should give them a gym etiquette lesson along with the tour of the gym. Maybe post up signs too for old members to remind them of things like:
Rerack your weights
Don’t stare
Don’t interrupt people when they are in the middle of a set
Wipe equipment don’t after use (nobody wants to lay in your sweat & dandruff)
If the row of cardio machines is empty, don’t get right next to the one person on the treadmill.
Don’t think it’s okay to use 3 machines at the same time when people are waiting to use them.
If you are just sitting on a machine to use your phone or chit chat with your friend. Get off of it until you are ready to use it.
I’m sure I’ll get criticized for this post. But it honestly seems like common sense & courtesy to me.
Most gyms I have been to have signs for most of these apart from the common sense ones and they all have an induction session which tends to cover a few of the above listed too. It is annoying sometimes, but does everyone not get annoyed at people at work, in the grocery store, at the doctors' surgery, the dentist, etc. Do we all need an etiquette list for every single place we go... I mean do we need to be nannied and can there not be more tolerance for the odd (I am sure every single time you visit the gym, there is not someone annoying you), infraction?!
I bet you OP have annoyed some person at some time or other, no?
I’m sure I have. But I try my best to be considerate & not to ;-)
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stanmann571 wrote: »Nothing wrong with grunting... nothing wrong with a little bit of a clang at the end of a deadlift. But when it goes on for 10 or 15 reps... And then I see you take a 30 second break and add another plate and 10-15 more reps. I may walk over and point out that you're working with less weight than my wife warms up with.
why not leave your wife out of it? it just muddies the communication and keeps the whole macho going, when what you're really trying to say is 'if it's light enough for you to do that many reps, it's light enough to lift quietly.'
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Biggest pet peeve is when you're in group fitness class...shut the heck up when the instructor is teaching. Its just rude to the class and the instructor.2
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Everyone at my gym bends over backwards to be polite to each other - the only real grievance I ever have is that there's only one pair of 2.5 lb plates, and they seem to disappear just when I'm trying to improve my bench press. We have all kinds of people, really huge guys, an old guy trying to recover strength following a stroke, a bunch of ladies at different fitness levels.1
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not a pet peeve, nor does it bother me...
It's just that I see a few guys (never women) training (and there is a lowercase T in 'training') while wearing surgical scrubs.
I've just thought that maybe they are trying to impress or maybe they don't want to take the time to change into more conventional training attire.
There's one guy that trains in surgical scrubs and he also wears the clogs that some providers wear in the OR.
It just strikes me as a lil' peculiar, that's all.2 -
Motorsheen wrote: »not a pet peeve, nor does it bother me...
It's just that I see a few guys (never women) training (and there is a lowercase T in 'training') while wearing surgical scrubs.
I've just thought that maybe they are trying to impress or maybe they don't want to take the time to change into more conventional training attire.
There's one guy that trains in surgical scrubs and he also wears the clogs that some providers wear in the OR.
It just strikes me as a lil' peculiar, that's all.
I have never worn them, but the nurses in my family (I have a lot of them) swear that scrubs are the most comfortable clothing they own. Maybe the guy in your gym is dressing for comfort?0 -
I grunt. I pant. I'm a loud person. I can't help it, I even grunt putting laundry away. I love my new gym because the music is so loud no one can hear me. I restrain myself when anyone is close, but it helps a lot if I feel welcome anywhere I might be.0
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canadianlbs wrote: »i have to know . . . i've never even seen the inside of a men's locker room, but has anyone ever asked one of those proverbial older guys if they can 'work in' on the hand dryer? or asked how many sets they have left?
idk, maybe the old-guy-drying-his-balls is an urban myth. but if it isn't then i might pay to see such an exchange.
Have a regular at my gym who uses the hair dryer on his pubes, and one who dries his chest hair!1 -
There are a few members who literally wear the same exact outfit to the gym every single day like it’s their uniform. Hey whatever you are comfortable wearing, I don’t treat the gym like a fashion show either. But I do secretly wonder if they wash it between visits.
or.....they own several sets of identical kit! I tend to stick with kit that doesn't rub (on longer rows), fits well etc - once I find something I like I buy several.0 -
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JerSchmare wrote: »canadianlbs wrote: »i have to know . . . i've never even seen the inside of a men's locker room, but has anyone ever asked one of those proverbial older guys if they can 'work in' on the hand dryer? or asked how many sets they have left?
idk, maybe the old-guy-drying-his-balls is an urban myth. but if it isn't then i might pay to see such an exchange.
Have a regular at my gym who uses the hair dryer on his pubes, and one who dries his chest hair!
I saw an old man blow-drying his butt hair one time.
Or the 90 year old guy walking around with his sagging butt cheeks. He then goes to the sink to shave and rest his junk on the counter. His stretchy skin I'm surprised the junk didn't slide down into the sink. He looked like melted candle wax. I know I'm mean, but everyone else wears a towel. Can't wait til I'm 90 so I can do it too,lol.1 -
MY old gym had a few rags and a spray bottle around to wipe down equipment -- unfortunately I don't think the rags were very clean and who knows what was in the spray bottles. My new gym has stations all over with wet wipes so you can take a fresh wipe, use it on your equipment, and then toss it out. It's a rule in the spin class to wipe down your sweaty bike when you are done!0
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JerSchmare wrote: »canadianlbs wrote: »i have to know . . . i've never even seen the inside of a men's locker room, but has anyone ever asked one of those proverbial older guys if they can 'work in' on the hand dryer? or asked how many sets they have left?
idk, maybe the old-guy-drying-his-balls is an urban myth. but if it isn't then i might pay to see such an exchange.
Have a regular at my gym who uses the hair dryer on his pubes, and one who dries his chest hair!
I saw an old man blow-drying his butt hair one time.
Or the 90 year old guy walking around with his sagging butt cheeks. He then goes to the sink to shave and rest his junk on the counter. His stretchy skin I'm surprised the junk didn't slide down into the sink. He looked like melted candle wax. I know I'm mean, but everyone else wears a towel. Can't wait til I'm 90 so I can do it too,lol.
easily one of the best things about getting older- you don't GAF about ANNNNNYTHING.
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