Health Club Etiquette 101

[BABY1]

TweetYou may be in your exercise zone when you're running, stepping, or pumping iron at the gym, but remember that you're sharing equipment and space with others, which means good manners are mandatory.

At the Health Club: Essential Etiquette
Most gyms and health clubs have rules that they ask patrons to follow, and they're often posted in visible areas so they're easy to remember. Gym rules are put in place to remind people to be polite and considerate of other gym members, and for general health and sanitation purposes.
There are some rules that you'll find at most gyms, and general ways to be considerate when you're working out with others at the gym:

• Your appearance. Some gyms and health clubs may have rules about certain apparel; for instance, women may not be allowed to work out in only a sports bra without a shirt over it, and men may not be allowed to go topless. Also, be sure to wear proper footwear, and always wear socks to help absorb sweat and odor. Make sure that you're dressed appropriately and safely for your workout.
• Your hygiene. Be considerate of those around you and be sure to put on deodorant before you work out. But don't load up on heavy perfumes or colognes — some scents can be offensive or distracting to others, and may cause problems for those with asthma or allergies.
• Using machines. There are often limits on how long you can use a machine in a health club, particularly at busy times. Pay attention to those limits and respect them. There are probably other people waiting to use that machine, but you can always come back to it later and take another turn.
• Take turns. Someone may be waiting in line to use a machine, or some people may have an order in which they do machines per their workout routine. Before you get on a machine, it's polite to check with people standing around to make sure they weren't planning on using that machine next.
• Your mom doesn't work there. Clean up after yourself! If you've sweated all over a machine, wipe it down with a towel or sanitary wipes if the gym offers them for cleaning machines. Wipe down the handles, the seat, the back — anything that you've touched, particularly if it's gotten sweaty.
• Put away workout equipment. When you've finished using equipment such as dumbbells, stability balls, and mats, put them back where they belongs so others can find them easily.
• Leave your cell phone at home. You go to the gym to work out, relieve stress, and relax, right? So do all the others there; they didn't come to listen to your phone conversation. So keep the cell phone turned off and stowed away, and save the conversations until you’ve walked out the door.
• Be quiet. Many people like to focus on their workouts, which can be difficult to do if the person on the machine beside them has their headphones blaring or is carrying on a loud conversation. Keep your voice and your music low, and be mindful of not disturbing other exercisers.

At the Health Club: Running Into Rudeness
When you're careful to follow the rules and health club etiquette but run into people who don’t, talk to them about it. If you approach the person calmly and considerately, you'll often get a polite response. If she's still rude and difficult to deal with, it's probably time to get a manager or other staff member at the gym to deal with the situation.

[skinnyman]

TweetI'm going to print this and stamp it all over my gym. Many people can learn from this in several areas. Just this morning I go to get on a bench and, no kidding, sweat was dripping down the sides from some a-holes head. DISCUSTING

[Dzone]

Tweet^OMG...sweat dripping off from his head? Gross!
Maybe something like this should be given to members when they first sign up.

[FUZO]

TweetI always tell the people that come off a machine or bench if they leave a puddle of sweat to wipe it off. Friggin slobs.Also when they dont put there weights away and they just leave them on a machine i'm about to use,no way i;'m like dude can you take your weights off

[Dzone]

TweetI can honestly say I have never set a weight down on top of a bench...that is always tolerated, it seems. Seems like everybody does it. Oh well, maybe thats just me, but after a while the bench starts ripping and has holes in it from people constantly setting dumbbells on it.

[Ropie11]

TweetThis is great, I have been so frustrated lately at my gym.

First, so many girls talk on the phone the ENTIRE time they are working out. I'm sorry, if you are able to talk on your cell phone, you ARENT working out hard enough! Just the other day, I was waiting to get on a machine and this gal was having a conversation on her cell.....I had to ask her to get off the machine, for she wasnt doing anything but talking. She gave me a dirty look and finally got off.

I cant stand seeing people sweat all over the machines, and then just walk away without cleaning it, GROSS. Our gym has spray bottles and towels all over the place, its very easy to clean your machines, just so many people choose not to do it.

Oh, don't even get me started on the people who leave their weights on the machines. I have gone up to machines that are loaded with 45 pound plates. I consider myself pretty strong for a woman, but I have no desire to unload 10 (45 pound) frickin weights! If you are strong enough to put them on, TAKE THEM OFF. (and no offense to men, but its usually the men that are guilty of leaving the weights on the machines).

I personally dont have a problem with putting weights on a bench, I do that some times. I have never heard of that as a problem at my gym, the benches all have stayed in great shape.

BUT, I cant stand when guys drop there weights HARD on the ground after doing a set?

And, I wear my IPOD, so I can workout, by myself, no interruptions. But it blows my mind how many people start talking to me DURING a set, as if I am going to just drop everything to have a conversation with them.

Dont get me wrong, I am a very friendly person, but I take my workouts seriously, too bad so many people dont!