Gym Etiquette Violators

Fit is in. Society has put increasing pressure on people to look better, especially as we age. The increasing divorce rate, for instance, has caused people who have never worked out a day in their lives to hit the gym. Men and women alike, who have recently been divorced, suddenly find themselves competing with people much younger and fitter than themselves in the dating market. This causes far more people who were never into working out to come to the local gym. It’s really wonderful to get into physical fitness at any age, but there can be a problem. Age isn’t the factor; it breaks down to experience. Many inexperienced gym goers are completely unfamiliar with gym etiquette. You may ask, what is gym etiquette?! Some may think this sounds oxymoronic! But this is not a fantasy of mine; this is something that people who frequent the gym take very seriously. So, I will briefly explain what it is, why it’s important to have and list out some of my least favorite gym etiquette violations that you will see at the gym.  

What is Gym Etiquette?

I believe the answer to this is kind of obvious. Simply put, etiquette is a set of rules and conventions that govern what is expected, acceptable and polite behavior within society. This changes based on where we are, of course. At home we are expected and allowed to act differently than we do at work, at school, or even the gym.

Why Should One have Gym Etiquette?

 I’m glad you asked! For starters, you won’t irritate me when I’m raging through a high impact workout! That was a joke… but seriously. I go to the UFC Gym in Torrance, CA and at any given time, you will notice about a third of the people in the gym are legitimate fighters. Some big, some small, some male, some female, but all could kick a gym newbie’s butt. That being said, these aren’t the sort of people whose workout you want to ruin. When I am going through a well-planned workout, I have specific muscle groups that I will work on that day. When a machine that I want to use is being used, I will often just move on to the next exercise and come back to the machine when it frees up, because my time is limited. Sometime I will finish one, then two, then three exercises waiting for the machine to free up, but for that entire 20 minute period the same girl has been sitting on the machine with the same goofball guy hitting on her. This is a very frustrating situation for me. I don’t want to interrupt a guy possibly meeting his soul mate at the gym. But this is a blatant desecration of basic gym etiquette. The fact is that their conversation, which could have happened anywhere else in the gym, has now ruined my workout. My body is cooling down as I’m waiting, I’m getting tired and now I may have to have a slightly uncomfortable conversation with a couple of people who should probably be at a bar and not the gym. But this is just one of several examples of bad gym etiquette, let’s talk about a few more problematic nuisances that you find in the gym.

My Least Favorite Gym Etiquette Violations 

Though these are in no particular order, I have already listed my very least favorite gym etiquette violation – Violator: The distracted equipment hog. They can be distracted by the person who is hitting on them, by getting caught up in a conversation on the cell phone, a text message war with a couple of friends, talking with a workout partner about how much better they looked than their ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend last night or even stretching in front of a machine with their towel laying on it for several minutes (in gym etiquette, putting a towel on a piece of equipment reserves that machine for you, even if you go get a drink and leave the machine unattended), and the list goes on. Proper Etiquette: If you become distracted with any of these situations and you realize that there is no end in sight, get off the machine and continue what you were doing in some of prime real estate over near the cardio equipment (or any other place you won’t be in the way). Additionally, it is always a good idea to look around when you’re at the gym. You will notice that people who are waiting on the machine you are using will often be standing near you and even trying to make eye contact with you to let you know they’re waiting. Don’t forget that the water fountain is an essential piece of equipment in the gym. Conversations are a no no there too. And that brings me to my next gym etiquette violator.

Violator: The water fountain abuser. These people often fill a large bottle with the higher of the two fountains. Sometimes they take a minute long head shower in the water fountain. Or some drink, then gasp for a few second, drink and gasp and continue this process for what feels like 10 minutes as a line accumulates behind them. And I already mentioned those that have conversations or stretch in front of the water fountain. Proper Etiquette: Water fountains are to be used to take a drink, not for showering. You can fill a bottle at the water fountain; some fountains have a nozzle specifically for that. However, you should either use the nozzle or the lower of the two fountains, if there are two, because most people go for the higher of the fountains. And if there is someone behind you panting and desperate for a drink and there is only one fountain, let them get a quick drink and then proceed with filling your bottle. While we’re talking about water, did you know that your body secretes water when it gets hot? Of course you did, we all sweat.

Violator: The self-righteous sweater. These people often feel that they don’t need a towel, even though every gym I have ever been to requires that you use a towel and most even sell them at the check-in desk. Other people seem to not know how to use their towels, wearing it in their pocket like a janitor instead of protecting their head from whatever is on the equipment. Both of these groups have many members who simply refuse to use the disinfectant spray and paper towels offered at most gyms. Your sweat can carry many infections away from your skin, to be passed on to the next person who uses the equipment. Proper Etiquette: Always bring your own clean towel to the gym. If possible, bring a towel that is different on each side and always try to put the same side against the headrest, keeping your head as clean as possible. Always use your towel, don’t bring it if you’re not going to use it. It protects you and other as well. Then look at the machine when you finish with it. If your sweat is glistening on the machine, at very least wipe it with a dry section of your towel; but really you should get a piece of paper towel and the disinfectant spray and clean the area where your sweat is, especially if these are parts that every person who uses the equipment will come into skin contact with. There is another group of gym pests who operate with a similar carelessness.

Violator: The chronic un-racker. These people use the equipment, often loading the equipment up with more weight than they can actually control, then after a few poorly executed reps, they get up and leave the weights on the equipment. The worst is when I see a small person who wants to use the machine next have to rack all of the 45 pound plates themself before they are able to use it. It’s kind of sad, and when I’m not in the middle of a set, I always try to help. But that could have been avoided. Proper Etiquette: For starters, stop trying to impress your friends; if you weigh 150 pounds and you have more weight on the equipment than the muscular 200 plus pound guys use, you’re over doing it. Only lift as much weight as you can control, jerking until the weight moves a bit doesn’t count. But regardless, you have to rack the weights you use at least to a reasonable degree. If you leave one 45 pound plate on each side of the leg press, that’s excusable. It often is the same ones who leave the weight on the machines who will violate again in the next category.

Violator: The set interrupter. This is the guy who just can’t wait to ask, “how many more you got?” The question is not a violation in itself; it’s the timing that makes this a violation. Never ever interrupt someone during their set unless they are in imminent danger. You annoy or even infuriate the person you are interrupting. People who are serious about their workouts have monk-like focus during a set, trying to push and control as hard as they can to get the most out of each set. Disturbing this process can even be dangerous for the lifter and ultimately for the interrupter. Proper Etiquette: Wait! Always wait for someone to finish their set and take a few breaths. Once they have finished, you are free to ask anything you would like. But be careful there too, you may end up seeing the guy in the locker room later, but hopefully not like the next peeves.  

Violator: The locker room nudist. I hear that the problem is just as prominent in the women’s locker room as it is in the men’s. The creepiest looking people you come across in the locker room like to bear it all – and not as they are quickly getting in and out of their clothes, no. These people like to walk out of the shower, dry off in the midst of the locker room and then seem to want to air-dry for a good 15 minutes before ever thinking about putting on their clothes. Proper Etiquette: Wear clothes as often as possible around strange people. If you must get naked to change quickly, no big deal; but please don’t put on a show that no one cares to see!

Conclusion 

Etiquette is important in all social situations. The gym is no exception. Please practice good gym etiquette. It’s good for you and it’s good for the other members of the gym also. I’m sure this list will continue to grow as more and more people start to come to the gym. I will continue to update the list as I see more poor etiquette in the gym. Please feel free to add you least favorite gym etiquette violations below so that we can educate others to allow everyone to have the best experience at the gym possible.