Simple gym etiquette every gym goer should know

Just like there’s yoga studio etiquette, there’s gym etiquette too. Follow my top seven tips to be that awesome human in the gym everyone loves.

 As part of my rehab for my injured knee, I am hitting up the gym big time doing strength and weight training as part of an intense 8-week program set by my physio.

The program has me completing a range of exercises using body weight or machines, which means I’m like a mosquito buzzing around the gym from one space to the next.

With each of my sessions averaging around 90 minutes, I’m in the gym for a while so I follow some simple gym etiquette to win friends, not foes.

Here are my top seven tips to be that considerate gym goer we all love.

1. Build camaraderie. Smile at your fellow gym goers. Nothing builds community better than a team that acknowledges the efforts everyone’s putting in, wherever they are on their fitness journey.
2. Be flexible with your workout. Know that you might not be able to complete your workout as planned. It could be uber busy, you forgot group training was on, or there’s a private PT session taking place. Don’t let this derail you so you give off a bad vibe. Simply readjust the order of your workout, take a moment to plan it out mentally, and reassure yourself you’ll still get a great workout in.
3. Ask not assume. This goes hand-in-hand with tip one, and two. If you’re wondering when the leg press machine will be free next or if it’s ok to do some ab work on the floor next to someone doing bench work, simply ask.
4. Cleanliness is godliness. If there’s a silver lining to the coronavirus, it is the level of sanitization we’re now accustomed to. Make sure you wipe down benches and your machine after you’ve finished, and sanitize your hands when using free weights.
5. Stack back what you rack. Always return your workout space back to what it was before you started your set. This means putting weights away, wheeling benches back, and re-adjusting settings back to neutral/beginner.
6. Good hygiene is hot. It’s always great to see someone work up a sweat and putting in 100%. But let’s keep our sweat to ourselves. Towels are a must and should be placed on equipment prior to using. If you’re in the gym for an extra-long set, bring an extra top or shirt to change part way through to keep fresh. Make it a regular gym bag essential.
7. Be alert, not inert. While it’s great to get yourself into a zone, remember to pay attention to what’s going on around you. It’s easy for accidents to happen – such as a dropped weight, or safety mechanism not enabled. Use your water break as a chance to do a quick reccie on your safety and others, before diving back in.

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Until next time,
Maryanne K