Etiquette is a list of unwritten rules that people follow in order to maintain status quo. Most places, as well as particular functions, have their own list of personal rules that make their domicile special. The gym is no exception to its own set of concealed guidelines that must be applied. In order to make your existence slightly more bearable at your local rec center practice upright etiquette and make the weight room a better place. New Years resolutioners, new-to-the weight room rookies, and veteran meat heads shall have not another excuse when the unwritten rules now come in bold ink.
1. Re-rack
Oh, you can leg press 500 lbs? AWESOME sauce for you! However, nobody wants to have to put away plate after plate before they can start their workout.
2. Do not Hover
If you need a machine and someone is on it, ask how many sets they have politely WALK AWAY. Hovering makes everyone uncomfortable and there are plenty of things you can be doing than judging their form.
3. Using the squat rack, not as a squat rack
Normally I don’t like when the word is in the definition, but the person who invented the squat rack was very straightforward. The squat rack is for squatting. Not curling, not lunging, ot deadlifting, literally not anything else besides squatting. The person across the gym has been stalking that rack and you could be getting your “swole on” somewhere else.
4. Slamming weight on resistance machines
You have too much weight for your own personal strength if you have to drop the resistance weights on top of the stack. Less weight, more control, no noise.
5. HYGIENE
I can’t believe I have to say this, but I do. If you can afford a gym membership, you can afford deodorant.
6. Hitting on
I understand that everyone’s testosterone levels are continuously elevating but the gym is a place to pick up weights, not girls/guys
7. Apparel
I’m all for, the “look good feel good” mentality, but please leave your J’s and your earrings at home.
8. Overstaying welcome on a machine
Say it with me “I will not superset while the gym is busy.”
9. Hair/Make-up
Boys: Why is your hair gelled, Casanova?
Girls: You're glued on eyelashes make you look like you’re working the smith machine poles. Go home.
10. Staring
Not okay outside the gym, not okay inside the gym.
11. Personal Space
This is in particular reference to cardio machines and the free weight area. Nothing is worse than having a dozen treadmills open yet someone picks the one DIRECTLY next to you... or when you're trying to do extended bicep curls and someone is literally breathing down your neck. Please be considerate of other's bulking bubble.
Happy Lifting!
