5 Rules of Gym Etiquette

[BM]

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5 Rules of Gym Etiquette

Learn how not to wear out your welcome
by Kristopher Kaiyala

Everyone's been the victim of Bad Gym Guy. You know the one, the smelly, sweaty, chatty health club member who spreads his body filth all over the locker room and exercise equipment, with nary a care for those around him. Bad Gym Guy cuts in line, slams the weights, talks loudly on his cell phone, and seems generally oblivious to the world around him. Here's our advice if you want to avoid him: don't be him.
Gyms are social gathering places just like malls, coffee shops, and work places. Basic rules of group politeness apply even if the club lured you into thinking it was there to cater to your every need.
So, what are the basic rules of gym etiquette? We enlisted the help of Chicago's posh Lakeshore Athletic Clubs for the answers. Athletic director Diana Hoffman and head trainer Nancy Parks boast a combined total of more than 20 years in the fitness profession. They know Bad Gym Guy when they see him. Here are their tips to help you avoid becoming the fitness-club pariah.

1. Be quiet. Cell phone use on the fitness floor is a definite no-no. No one wants to be party to your personal conversations; they distract from the mental focus everyone needs to achieve their fitness goals. "Also, if you are participating in a group exercise class, don't talk in the back of the studio. It's unfair to others participating in the class," says Hoffman. You're an adult. Don't act like a grade schooler.

2. Clean off the machines. You don't want to sit in someone else's sweat, so why make them sit in yours? "After using any type of equipment at the club, be sure to wipe it off," says Parks. "Covering the seats or benches with a towel beforehand helps to avoid this problem, and it also protects you from germs that can be passed on through other people's sweat."

3. Be careful when handling weights. Few things are more jarring at a gym than the loud clank of dropped dumbbells or barbells. Don't permit the weight stack on any piece of equipment to slam down. "It is disruptive to others training in same area, is potentially damaging to equipment, and can cause injury to the user as it evidences an inability to control whatever weight is being used," says Parks. "Also remember to put weights back when you are done; it's thoughtless to leave them lying around."

4. Share the equipment. If you are circuit training, trade off sets with someone else, that way you can rest while someone else lifts. "If someone is already using a piece of equipment that you want to share, wait until they are done with their set before asking them," says Hoffman. "If you ask them in the middle of a set, they may lose concentration. Even if they do respond, it could interfere with their breathing." Cardio equipment must be shared as well. "Many clubs have time limits for these machines during their peak hours. Be sure to abide by these rules so everyone can benefit from the equipment."

5. Watch your odor."Be sure to clean your workout clothes on a regular basis and don't wear overbearing perfume or cologne," says Hoffman. "Take a shower after your workout as well—you don't want your smell to offend people on your way home too!"
Yuck. We couldn't have said it any better.

[BM]

TweetOne I hate is people socializing holding me up, preventing me from using a piece of equipment. a Bench, smith, etc. To which I ask the following ? "ARE YOU GONNA USE THIS OR JUST STAND THERE IN MY WAY RUNNING YOU'RE FUCKING MOUTHS?"

[kite]

Tweet#6. If you're one of the smallest/weakest guys in the gym do not attempt to tell the
larger/stronger folks about what works and doesn't work for growth and strenght.

[BM]

Tweet

#6. If you're one of the smallest/weakest guys in the gym do not attempt to tell the larger/stronger folks about what works and doesn't work for growth and strenght.

Yeah,I was doing dumbell presses once and I had this skinny, flabby runt come up to me and his ? to me was, " Are you lifting for strength or speed? I said WTF? I'm lifting for whatever I got to do to not wind up looking anything close to what your little puny ass looks like!

[solidground]

Tweet#7 dont walk in front of the mirror while someones doing a set

[Audiowaves252]

Tweet#8 dont pose in the mirror if you're small

[T-Man007]

Tweet#9 Dont be that guy with ILS (imaginary lat syndrome).
#10 The 3 foot rule. Dont grab a pair of dubbells off the rack and then stand right in front of it doing bicep curls or lateral raises. Take the dumbbells ans step back 3 feet. Get out of peoples way.
#11 Running shorts look stupid on runners, they look even worse on bodybuilers. Don't wear them.
#12 Don't ask to work in if you half to take off half the weight.
#13 If the weight you are lifting weighs less than you do, don't grunt and yell. There is nothing worse than a 200 pound guy who is benching 185 and yelling as he presses out his last couple reps.
#14 Dont yell stupid "location" jokes across the gym to your buddy.
#15 Don't wear shirts that say "No, I'm not on steroids, but thanks for asking" if you are a skinny little runt.
#16 If the diameter of your bicep is smaller than the length of your upper arm (humerus bone), don't flex your arms in the mirror after every set and look around to see who's watching your dumb ass.

[HungarianBeast]

TweetDon't talk to people with headphones on.

[HungarianBeast]

TweetLet me re-phrase...Don't talk to anyone who is wearing headphones. That's better.

[BM]

TweetAnd don't talk to me in the locker room if your lower half is not clothed. I will hit you.

[T-Man007]

TweetYou know you like to look you pervvvvvv!