If you're like me, you love going to the gym. But if you want to keep doing it, and keep doing it in a way that's healthy and positive for everyone involved, you need to know how to act at the gym. That means being mindful of your behavior and following these simple rules of etiquette.
Be prepared to work out
- Have your gear ready: Shoes, clothes, and other items you need to train should be in the locker room or at least accessible from it.
- Carry a water bottle (or two). Being dehydrated will make you feel terrible and prevent you from getting the most out of your workout session.
- Bring a towel for wiping sweat off of yourself during exercise or after class if there's no shower available on site. It's also a good idea to have one handy for wiping down equipment before or after using it so as not to leave behind any sweat stains on the machines or mats!
Take care of yourself before and after your workout
- Before you work out, shower first. If you don't have time for a full shower, at least wash your armpits and feet. You'll feel much better when you're done with your workout if you've showered beforehand.
- Don't skip the deodorant! It's tempting to think that because it's hot in the gym, there's no need for deodorant or cologne--but trust us: there are some smells that even working out won't help with (and nobody wants those).
Use headphones sparingly or not at all
In general, headphones are not a good idea. They can be very distracting to other people and they prevent you from getting the most out of your workout. If you do decide to wear them, however, make sure that they're not too loud and that they don't block out all sound around you--it's important to stay aware of what's going on around you so that no one gets hurt!
Be respectful of other gym users' space and equipment
- Don't hog equipment. If you're on the treadmill, don't be the person who stays on it for hours and blocks everyone else from using it.
- Be respectful of other gym users' space. If someone is doing curls at one end of your bench press station, don't use the other end unless there's no one waiting to use it; if someone has their headphones in and looks like they want privacy, give them some space; if someone else is using free weights next to you and he/she isn't being too loud or disruptive (and even if they are), let him/her do his/her thing without interference from you--you can both work out at different paces without getting in each other's way!
Be mindful of your sweat and stench
Sweat is natural, but it can be a problem if it's excessive. If you're one of those people who sweats like a horse in the summertime, use deodorant and antiperspirant to minimize sweat and keep yourself smelling fresh. It's also good practice to wipe down equipment after using it so that other gym-goers don't have to deal with your stench when they come along later.
If you're going to wear perfume or cologne, make sure it's not overpowering; no one wants their workout interrupted by someone else's scent--especially if they aren't aware of what they're doing! Also keep in mind that some foods smell strong enough on their own (e.g., garlic) without adding additional odors into the mix by wearing them as well...and then there are those pesky germs that may be lurking around every corner at the gym: while washing your hands after using communal areas is still good practice (and recommended), being overly germaphobic isn't productive either; some bacteria help build up our immunity over time so try not to get too freaked out about getting sick every now and again!
Be mindful of your body language and facial expressions
- Don't make faces or noises at people.
- Don't stare at people.
- Don't make comments about other people's bodies, especially when they're not around to hear them! This can be done in subtle ways like eye contact, laughter, and body language (e.g., crossing arms over chest).
- Be mindful of your volume: if you're too loud for where you are in terms of noise level and sound quality (i.e., echo), move away from others until it's more appropriate for everyone's comfort level.* The same goes for being quiet--if there isn't enough background noise to mask the sounds of heavy breathing or grunting during exercise routines (especially during cardio), then those who prefer silence should move elsewhere until things become more tolerable.* Also remember that some folks may have hearing impairments which could affect how they experience sound levels; this could mean anything from being unable to hear certain pitches altogether (like high-pitched voices) to having trouble distinguishing between certain consonants due to lack thereof auditory nerve function.
You can help foster an environment of respect for everyone at the gym by following these tips!
As a gym-goer, you have a responsibility to help foster an environment of respect for everyone at the gym. Here are some tips on how to do so:
- Be mindful of other people's space and equipment. Don't hog the squat rack or bench press for too long if there are others waiting to use it. If you need assistance from someone who knows what they're doing (such as spotting), don't hesitate to ask!
- Respect other people's time by showing up on time and leaving when your time is up--even if you don't feel finished with your workout just yet! If there's no rush, take care of yourself by stretching before working out again; otherwise, try not wearing shoes around wet floors or stepping into anyone else's way while walking around inside (or outside). And remember: no one wants their sweat stench lingering around them all day long either...so take showers regularly!
- Be respectful of your body language and facial expressions when interacting with others at gyms - remember: everyone has bad days sometimes so try not to judge anyone based on their actions alone without knowing why they acted like that firsthand beforehand instead of just going off assumptions alone."
Conclusion
We hope that you've learned a lot from this article, and we want to thank you for taking the time to read it. We know how difficult it can be to navigate new spaces and make friends with strangers, so we encourage you all to be kind and respectful of one another at all times!
