Gym Etiquette You Need to Know
You’re determined to get to the gym but don’t know where to start. What do I wear? What do I do? How do I act? RELAX! You got this! Check out this gym etiquette and you’ll enter the gym with confidence! Really, it’s not that big of a deal. Most gym rats are in their own little world anyway. You may even recognize a few of them.
1) Don’t get all fancy for the gym.
If you do, we know you’re there for something more than just working out. Throw on some tights, shorts, or yoga pants and a t-shirt and you’re ready to go. Yep! You get to wear tights to the gym and there will be no judgment. However, you don’t want to embarrass yourself in booty shorts or a top that doesn’t cover it all. This isn’t the beach for crying out loud.
2) Make-up is not necessary.
Well, unless you’re a super pale white girl like me, that is. I have to throw on a little blush or people ask if I’m feeling well.
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3) No need to wash your hair.
Perfect coils are a sure sign you’ve showered BEFORE exercise. That’s just silly. Throw a hat on to cover that greasy bedhead. The funny thing is, on the off day my hair isn’t greasy and I don’t wear a hat, my gym buddies are thrown for a loop. They are used to that hat and barely recognize me without it.
4) Deodorant is great but leave the perfume for dates.
Oh, and if you happen to be a smoker, no one wants to run on the treadmill next to someone who reeks of smoke. Seriously! We’re breathing deep here, baby!
5) Smile and be friendly.
You will see many of the same faces every time you go to the gym. It’s a community. You don’t have to chat for 30 minutes leaning on a machine (please don’t do that) but you can certainly chat a little between sets! If someone is wearing earbuds, that’s a sure sign they want to be left alone. Just smile and wave if you so desire.
6) Cardio is great but weights are even better.
Don’t be afraid. The weight room is where it’s at! Just about any gym rat would be happy to answer a question or give you a tip here or there. I’ve been working out for over 25 years and still have muscle heads giving me tips. There’s always something new to learn.
7) Be aware.
If someone is hovering, they are probably waiting to get on the machine you are on. Don’t linger, chatting it up with your buddy. Get your sets in and move on or let them work in.
8) Let people ‘work in’.
This means you will do a set, get off the machine, and let another person do a set. Then, you get to do a set again. It’s taking turns, gym style! If you see someone hovering, ask if they would like to ‘work in’.
9) Come back to it.
If someone is on a machine you want, no need to hover or ‘work in’ unless the gym is crazy busy. Move on to the next exercise and come back to it.
10) Leave your Bluetooth at home.
Imagine this: you’re pumping iron and the guy next to you starts talking. You look up thinking he’s talking to you and quickly identify the blank stare. It’s just awkward. The other day I got to learn exactly how to get into a guy’s house. Yep! No joke! He spelled it out right there in the middle of the gym. Lol! Good thing I’m no thief!
11) Save singing for the car ride home.
The tunes in your ear may be getting you pumped up but there’s a different tune in our heads. You might have the best voice in the world but it’s quite shocking when someone belts out phrases in intervals.
12) Put your weights away already.
Don’t leave weights on the barbell for the pregnant lady to take off or dumbbells on the floor for someone to trip over. Moms, it’s not your job to re-rack every weight in the place. Pick up after yourself and call it good!
13) Watch your mouth!
You may be working hard but we just don’t need to hear the four-letter words grunted in agony. Take it down a notch.
Use a little common sense and you’ll be well on your way to a great workout, using proper gym etiquette.
Before you know it, you’ll be a regular gym rat too!
Loved this!! I joined a gym about two years ago (have since cancelled), and the personal trainer said “look at the people doing cardio…now look at the people lifting weights. Who do you want to look like?” You’re right – don’t be afraid of the weights!! They are what change your body!
That’s a great way to put it Sarah! Weights are more interesting than cardio too.
Love this as the January rush at the gym is killing me right now. I work out at the rec center, which is full of people with no gym sense.
1) You should not be allowed to wear jeans to the gym, even if you are walking painfully slowly around the track.
2) If you are walking painfully slowly around the track, please don’t take up more than one lane to do so.
3) You actually have to sweat a little bit to get in a good workout.
4) Please don’t sit buck naked on the locker room bench to clip your toenails.
I am all for everyone getting in shape, but I agree that some rules of etiquette need to be in place!
Lol! My gym is so small we don’t even have a locker room but I’ve heard plenty of horror stories. I have to admit, my dad wears jeans to the gym. He runs errands after and doesn’t want to have to go home and change. I’m just glad he’s there;0) I did get a stare down from a lady the other day. I asked if she was waiting for the machine I was on, she was very kind and said yes but continued staring as I finished my set. Lol!
I love this Jayleen! You have the sweetest way of airing your pet peeves! You should post this at the gym. 😀
Haha! Maybe if I worked there;0)
If they have a bulletin board, maybe you could sneak it on there, all anonymous-like. 😛
My biggest pet peeve….when someone comes and takes my workout area when I walk away. There are not a ton of women who lift at my gym, its mostly men. And so often when I am done lifting with a certain weight and put it up, then go to grab another weight, some man will walk up and start living where I was, which forces me to move. It drive me crazy because it happens a lot!
In that case, I think it’s okay to have a sweatshirt or something saving your spot. It’s quite humorous what people will do.