When you just start going to the gym, everything can seem intimidating at first. This article will help you learn proper gym etiquette so you don’t make foolish mistakes right away.
These gym rules that you learn will go a long way in ensuring that you have a pleasant gym experience.
For example, you’ll avoid being that one person everyone dislikes for leaving the equipment all around the gym.
Some gyms take these rules very seriously. If you avoid bad gym etiquette, you’ll also avoid any risk of getting kicked out of the gym. I’ve seen it happen a couple of times.
In this article, you will get 15 basic gym etiquette rules that any gym-goer needs to follow. This way you won’t have problems with other gym-goers or fitness instructors.
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Proper Gym Etiquette: 15 Rules You Have to Know
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Top 15 Gym Etiquette Rules
Here are the 15 basic gym etiquette rules that will make your first days easier. Learn why you should follow them and have them in mind next time you go to the gym.
1. Always Bring a Towel
Let’s face it, you’re gonna get sweaty in the gym, everyone will and that’s good. That’s the sign you’re working on it, but what about sharing the equipment with others?
You should ALWAYS bring a towel to the gym. You can put it down on the bench before using it or wipe down all the sweat from the equipment. We should try to keep it clean as much as possible.
2. Your Gear Should be Clean and Tidy
This should go without saying, but many people make this mistake. You should never come to the gym and work out in the same shoes.
Make sure that all your gym clothes are freshly washed and cleaned before working out. Don’t be that guy that comes in there with sweaty shorts that haven’t been washed in a month.
3. Keep the Chit Chat to a Minimum
Don’t get me wrong, you’re free to socialize, but be mindful not to distract others or yourself. Your and everyone’s other goal is to focus on working out.
You can catch up after the workout, in the dressing room, or while you’re resting. If someone’s wearing headphones, don’t interrupt them at all costs.
4. Check if the Equipment is Free
If there’s no one around the equipment, feel free and start your exercise. However, if you’ve just seen someone stop using it or some people are hovering around, it never hurts to ask.
There’s no wrong with being polite and you can avoid awkward interactions if someone was already using it.
5. Put Everything Back in its Place
The two quickest ways to lose respect in the gym are to slack off and to leave equipment everywhere. As soon as you finish wight weights or dumbells put them away.
Most of the gyms have racks where everything should go after use. Just imagine if everyone would leave the gear everywhere what would the gym look like?
6. Don’t be a Personal Space Invader
This goes for life in general, but it’s even worse if you’re focused on a tough workout and someone brushes past you.
As you can see most of the proper gym etiquette comes from being aware of others. If you see someone in the middle of the workout give them some space, it’s safer and much more pleasant for everyone.
7. Try Not to Drop Weights
This isn’t a weight-lifting Olympic contest. Don’t drop those weights from high above, no matter how cool you think it looks.
You’ll be much more respected if you put everything down calmly and gently, without making too much noise.
8. If You’re Not Using it, Move
If you are done with a piece of equipment, let others have it. I know that you need to rest, but you shouldn’t sit or lay around on a piece of equipment.
Take a short walk around a take deep breaths, that will give you a much better rest anyway.
9. Selfies: Only if You Have to
It’s ok to snap a mirror shot, to keep track of the progress, or to see how hard work pays off. However, you should keep it to a minimum.
When you take photos, you are distracting others and breaking their focus on the workout itself. You can always take selfies afterward.
10. Avoid Grunting if You Can Help it
Exercise is hard, as it should be, and sometimes we make sounds and grunts while doing it. If you are in a gym full of people try to avoid it if you can help it.
Learning how to breathe properly while working out can help you with this a lot.
11. Spot Someone Who Needs Help
If you see someone struggling on the bench, offer your help to spot them if there’s no one around. It takes a bit of your time but it can mean a lot.
However, don’t lift someone else’s weights unless you can see that they are not going to do it alone.
12. Only Give Advice if Asked to
No one likes being told what to do, even if it’s well-intentioned advice, it may sound different. If someone asks you for it, don’t hesitate to help if you know what you are doing.
13. Don’t Stare or Hit on Someone
This mostly goes for men, but women can be guilty of it too. Don’t hit on someone in the gym, this is not a club or a bar.
You wouldn’t like to be bothered while you’re getting fit. Also, avoid staring at others no matter what they do, focus on your own thing.
14. Respect the Time of the Workers
Gym workers are there to help out, sure but don’t treat them like your personal trainers. There are others too.
Also, make sure to respect the working hours of the gym and finish up before closing time.
15. Feel Free to Ask for Help, But Not When They’re Busy
Gyms can be some of the friendliest environments when you follow proper gym etiquette. Most of the older colleagues will gladly help if you ask politely.
Just don’t bother them when they’re in the middle of their exercise.
Final words
As you can see, it doesn’t take a lot to have a pleasant experience. Just keep working hard and follow proper gym etiquette, and you’ll fit right in.
Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or need more info about good or bad gym etiquette. I’ll be happy to answer as soon as I can.
