6 Gym Etiquette Rules You Should Never Break
Don’t be THAT person at the gym. (Photo: iStock/BartekSzewczyk)
Gyms don’t always hand out a “Rules of Conduct” book when you join. You’re simply expected to act like a decent human being, clean up after yourself and generally behave. Problem is, common sense doesn’t necessarily reign in every fitness facility. Here are some of the most common and most aggravating gym missteps, according to experts who spend the most time in those environments. Read on to see if you’re guilty of any of these six gym pet peeves.
1. If You’re Sick, Stay Home
Coughing and sneezing during in a fitness class or while lifting weights leaves a trail of nasty microbes waiting to infect the rest of the gym. According to Jessica Matthews, exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise, in general it’s okay to exercise with “above the neck” symptoms like a sore throat or runny nose.
“But in fairness to your non-sick fellow fitness fanatics,” Matthews says, “if you’re going to get some exercise in while you’re battling a cold, you should opt for an at-home workout—perhaps your favorite fitness DVD or an outdoor workout.” If you do choose to work out at the gym, be respectful of others and be sure to properly sanitize all equipment that you use—which you should always do, sniffles or not.
Related: How to Fix the Worst Posture Mistakes
(Photo: iStock/LUNAMARIA)
2. Dress Appropriately
Short shorts, barely-there tank tops and loose, baggy clothes that get caught in a machine can all constitute fashion hazards for various reasons. “While the clothes don’t necessarily make the workout, the right apparel can definitely enhance your exercise experience and help you to avoid any unwanted attention,” says Matthews. Wearing clothing that provides appropriate coverage and the right fit allows you to do everything from jump squats to downward facing dog with confidence and ease. If your clothing is too tight, it can restrict your range of motion, which can make your form suffer. Baggy clothing or too-long pants can get caught or snagged on something or you can trip over them and injure yourself.
(Photo: iStock/Dolgachov)
3. Smell Good, Not Great
When your aroma—good or bad—enters the room before you do, it’s time to make some adjustments. “Leave fragrances and colognes for outside the gym,” says Matthews, “but please use deodorant.” Heavy fragrances and perfumes can be distracting to your fellow fitness-class goers and can even trigger allergic reactions in some individuals.
Strong body odor can also be very unpleasant, so either shower and/or swipe on deodorant before breaking a sweat. Matthews also recommends not using greasy lotions before you hit the gym. Once you begin to sweat, creams can make your skin slippery, making it difficult to hold your favorite arm balancing posture in yoga or properly grip and hold on to a barbell or kettlebell, which could put you at risk of injury.
(Photo: iStock/Ozimician)
4. Don’t Use the Water Fountain to Refill Your Giant 64-oz Bottle
Staying hydrated during your workout is important, especially on hot days. But standing in front of the water fountain refilling your gallon-size bottle creates a bottleneck of thirsty gym members waiting in line behind you. Follow the rules of the road, says Guy Andrews, CSCS, executive director of Exercise ETC, Inc., a fitness education program provider in Fort Lauderdale, FL. “Yield the right of way. Step to the side so people who want a fast gulp or two can get back to working out. And to avoid spreading germs don’t touch the spigot of the fountain to the mouth of your bottle.”
(Photo: iStock/Wavebreakmedia)
5. Wipe Down the Bench and Use a Towel
Many gyms require you to use a towel when you work out, and with good reason. It’s more than just gross to lie in someone else’s sweat, although the risk is low,you could end up infected with MRSA. Always use a protective barrier between you and the bench, whether it’s a towel or shirt, and wipe down any surfaces with antiseptic wipes before or after use. And always shower and wash your hands immediately after your workout.
Related: 3 Signs You’re Overexercising and 3 Ways to Avoid It
(Photo: iStock/monkeybusinessimages)
6. Don’t Block Traffic
It’s bad enough to deal with bottlenecks on your way to work, so navigating around oblivious people at the gym can be just as annoying. And it slows down your workout! Failing to re-rack your weights and plates, working out in front of the rack and walking in front of exercisers who are using the mirror (checking their form, not their hair) creates roadblocks and distractions and increases the chances that someone will get hurt. The National Strength and Conditioning Association’s (NSCA) safety checklist for exercise facilities recommends easy access to each resistance training machine area, allowing a minimum of two feet between each machine and three feet as optimal for safety.
The original article “16 Gym Etiquette Rules That People Often Break“ appeared on LIVESTRONG.COM.
By Linda Melone
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