Believe it or not, there is a code of conduct that every member should be following when they step foot inside the gym. Some people will know all about it and adhere to the rules, some won't. Some don’t actually know about it but they are just decent human beings and do these things without thinking about them (these are my favourite kind of people).
Some of these may sound obvious, but you will be surprised at just how many people don’t adhere to them or even know about them!
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Know your gym rules
Every gym is going to have different rules, so don’t think that by knowing one gym set of rules that you know them all. They are usually easy to find; they may be on a wall in plane sight or you can usually ask a member of staff for them. Just don’t assume you know them.
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Make sure you are clean
People have told me before they find it strange that I shower before I work out. I understand where they are coming from, why make sure you are clean and fresh, when in an hour you are more than likely going to be dripping in sweat? Well, people probably don’t want to smell you before they see you, and this is exactly what is going to happen if you don’t shower before you workout. The same goes for your gym clothes, make sure you are wearing a fresh outfit each time you train. You might think it smells fresh, but it's more than likely you have just become used to the smell.
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Don’t leave a trail of sweat
You are working hard, that’s great. People can see that, but they don’t need to feel it. If you know you are prone to a bit of sweat, make sure you are prepared to wipe down the equipment you use in the gym. It will literally take you no longer than 3 seconds to wipe down the bench or head rest you were using and make sure its dry for the next person. You wouldn’t like to share sweat with a person who used the machine before you would you? Didn’t think so.
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Tidy your stuff away
Imagine if you are short on time and you know exactly what you need to do and where to find in order to complete your workout. Only to find that nothing is where it should be. This leads to you having a poor workout and putting you in a less than happy mood. All it would have taken is for the person before you to put their equipment back where it belongs!
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Give people space
Is someone using a machine you want to get on next? Don’t stand next to them weirdly, give them some room. There is no need to intimidate someone by giving them no space and staring at them. Instead, politely ask how many sets they have left and make your decision based on their answer. By simply asking this question most people will reduce their time between sets anyway.
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Be aware of your noise levels
Nobody wants to hear you lift. It’s as simple as that. If you are lifting something heavy, people will already know by how much weight you are using. There is no need to accompany it with loud grunting noises. It doesn’t impress anyone. Instead, try using the energy to perfect your form. If the weights heavy and your form is good, that’s impressive.
I think you’ll agree, all these rules are pretty simple and don’t take much effort to put into practice. Start making your gym etiquette as important as your training.
