Fitness Friday

Gym Etiquette Tips Everyone Should Know

Worried about getting strange looks in the gym from other people? No worries! These tips will keep your workout great and the unwanted stares away.

1. Wipe Down the Equipment After Use: Nobody enjoys sitting down in a germ infested closed-in area, and that's basically what you are setting up for the next person who uses the piece of equipment you just used and didn't wipe down. Nobody likes the person who doesn't wipe down equipment after using it, and believe me when I say this: You will get stares from everyone at the gym for being PigPen.
2. There's a Difference Between Breathing & Grunting: Gymtimidation is a real thing, and you will receive stares for it. The phrase that has made Planet Fitness famous, along with the lunk alarm that follows any activity that resembles said phrase, doesn't make you look any cooler. Instead of grunting when working out, try breathing out at the sticking point of your resistance training. Instead of lifting and slamming weights that you can't keep proper technique with, try using weights that you can complete sets with and gently put down. Making the least amount of noise as possible when working out goes a long way.
3. Put Equipment Back In The Right Place When You're Done Using It: One of my personal pet peeves is seeing equipment on the floor right next to the rack, with the person who was previously using it nowhere to be seen. It takes two seconds to re-rack equipment that you were using, and it makes you look that much better as a gym citizen in good standing. I can guarantee that if you walk a dumbbells across the gym and leave them there when you're done, or if you put equipment back in the wrong place, you will get menacing stares from other members. Remember, its the simple things that make gym experiences that much better for everyone.
4. Share Equipment With Other Members: If someone wants to work in a set with you, let them. Use their usage time as a gauge for your rest time if you want, however if you're completing hypertrophy/power/strength sets you may want to wait a little longer. Also, don't hog multiple pieces of equipment at one time. It's inconvenient for gym flow and inconsiderate for others who wish to use one of those pieces of equipment. SHARE THE HEALTH!!!
5. Wear Deodorant &/Or Cologne: I really don't think that this needs an explanation...
6. Dress Appropriately: There's a difference between dressing comfortably and dressing appropriately. Wearing a tank top to the gym to allow free movement for exercise activities involving a certain muscle group are acceptable, however if the attire is showing more than you would want to see on other gym goers, you might want to rethink your outfit.
7. Have Fun!