5 Gym Etiquette Rules
Rule #1: Clean Your Machine
We all sweat, as we should at the gym, but just be sure to wipe down anything you touch. I would even recommend wiping it down BEFORE you touch it as well, just to be safe and minimize spreading any germs.
Rule #2: Don’t Be Obnoxious
Just because you grunt louder doesn’t mean you’re lifting more than anyone there. More than likely, you’re just annoying everyone around you, and no one is impressed by your baby weight. A certain degree of grunting may be warranted if you’re going after a 1 rep max, but not on every single rep. Get noticed by being good, not loud.
Rule #3: Cut It With The Small Talk
What part of headphones on, hood up do you not understand? Clearly, this person is not interested in having any conversations other than a nod to say hi if you happen to see each other frequently. Plus, you’re interrupting the momentum of their workout.
Rule #4: Re-Rack Your Weights
I don’t see a need to elaborate on this one. Clean up after yourself, plus the longer you have to hold those weights, the more gains you’ll get (time under tension, right?).
Rule #5: Don’t Hog the Equipment
Yes, we all want to get our workouts in. And sometimes waiting on machines decreases your intensity, but you can always do a bodyweight movement while waiting for equipment to open up, or allow others to work in with you (just beware of rule #3), especially when the gym is extra busy. And if you do hog a machine, keep your rest time real short (like 20-30 seconds short).
