Maximizing Your Workout and Experience with Gym Etiquette 101

What is gym etiquette and why is it important?

We should all be striving to be the best version of ourselves, both physically and mentally. People go to the gym for a variety of reasons and we all deserve the opportunity to enjoy our workout.

When we first join a gym, we sign a contract, this contract will likely state in some way that we need to be respectful and considerate of those around us when working out. This includes when we enter the gym and also when we leave the gym.

This is where gym etiquette is extremely relevant! It may seem obvious to some to be respectful and considerate of other people in the gym, but it tends to go over the heads of a small portion of society.

I don’t know about anyone else, but one thing I find extremely frustrating and inconsiderate is when people don’t put weights back after using them. This then directly impacts others. For example, if someone uses a stack of weights and equipment and just leaves them scattered on the floor after they are done, it becomes a major safety hazard. On top of that, some poor person has to come along and pack that away before they are able to use the space and get into their workout.

Now you may think “Isn’t that what the gym floor staff are meant to do? It’s their job to keep the gym tidy and pick up after others?”. To an extent, yes that is true! But where do we draw the line?

If every single person took the same attitude and did not pack weights away after themselves in a busy gym during peak hours. It would be absolute chaos for everyone! There wouldn’t be enough gym floor staff to be able to make that manageable.

When we are young, we are taught to pick up after ourselves and essentially be decent human beings… or at least I hope we were taught that! So why should it be any different when we are in the gym?

Gym floor staff are there to assist people, ensure the safety of all members, and help keep the gym clean and tidy. So let’s not make someone’s job 10x harder by being lazy and not putting weights or equipment away after we use it!

Now that I have gotten that rant out of the way… Let’s dive deeper into some more gym etiquette dos and don’ts…

Gym Etiquette - The Dos and Dont's:

Pick up after yourself and put your weights/equipment away in their rightful place:

If you use something, put it back after you are finished. Simple!

Don’t expect others to do it for you, unless you need some help and ask for assistance. The golden rule: “If you can lift the weights, you can put them back!”.

Be aware of your surroundings and people around you:

We need to be able to share the space in the gym, so be mindful of where you set up.

You are 100% allowed to feel comfortable during your workout and use the space to complete whatever exercises you have planned. Just don’t take up unnecessary room by spreading your equipment out for no reason. Be mindful that others are entitled to use the space.

Also, try to give others a little bit of room when they are working out, no one wants to feel like someone is breathing down their neck. Apart from being super uncomfortable and somewhat creepy, it can also be a safety hazard!

If the area you want to go to is overcrowded, consider being flexible with your workout and starting on another piece of equipment or exercise, until there is room.

Wipe down equipment after using it:

I can guarantee you that no sane person likes lying or sitting down on someone else’s sweat! So ensure you use the antibacterial wipes or spray located around the gym to wipe down your equipment and/or weights after use. This keeps the gym much more hygienic for everyone!

A good rule of thumb is to wipe down the “touch points”. So essentially wipe down any part of a machine or piece of equipment you have touched once you have finished.

Don’t Hog Equipment or Machines:

When the gym is busy and there is a lineup of people waiting to jump on particular machines or use certain pieces of equipment, do not hog them!

We want to be able to share the gym with other members, and this means being considerate of others and being timely with your workout.

You are entitled to rest between sets and you should not feel rushed to speed up your reps just to finish quicker for someone else, this could lead to poor form and injury.

However, don’t be that person who walks away from a piece of equipment and talks to a friend for 10 minutes before they decide to head back for another set. Don’t waste other people’s time by being inconsiderate of how long you are taking on a piece of equipment or machine.

Always Bring a Towel and Make Sure You Actually Use It:

Even if you believe you are not a sweaty person, you should always have your towel on you. There is so much bacteria in the gym so we don’t want to be adding to that by sweating over everything. So bring your towel and actually use it, don’t just keep it in your gym bag looking pretty.

Be Mindful of How Loud You Are Being When Working Out:

This one goes out to the people who yell and grunt excessively loudly in the gym for no apparent reason. It is normal and natural to make noises when working out, the air can escape the lungs causing somewhat odd noises and sounds, and slight grunts may help push force into your movements. But we do not need to be yelling at the top of our lungs or grunting so loudly that we draw other people’s attention during our workout. It can be super off-putting to others in the gym. Be mindful of how loud you are and don’t go over the top with it, no one will find it impressive and it is super distracting for others.

Be Aware of Others When Taking Gym Selfies:

We love a good gym selfie, but be aware of people around you who may not want to be in the photo. Some people may feel super uncomfortable if they are featured in your gym selfie that ends up on Instagram.

Not everyone likes their photo being taken, especially when they are not prepared or fully aware. So try and take your gym selfies in a place where people are not easily distinguishable in the background of the photo, or go to a private area of the gym to take them.

Be Flexible with your Workout if the Gym is Busy:

If you are waiting to jump on a piece of equipment, you shouldn’t just stand there and stare at the person until they finish. This can make people feel super comfortable, and you would be surprised how often this happens. If you are waiting for a machine or piece of equipment, just wait patiently off to the side, out of the way, if necessary. Otherwise, consider being flexible with your workout and completing another exercise first or instead.

Respect Others Reasons For Working Out and Be Mindful of Chit Chat:

Some people go to the gym to get strong, lose weight, get fit, etc. Other people may go for the social connection and that is also more than okay! Just remember that not everyone wants to stand around and have a conversation during their session. Some will say “hello” and then want to get into their session. Always respect that some people may be up for a chat and others just want to get straight into their session. So if you are someone who loves a chat in the gym, try to be aware of others' social cues and if they seem hesitant to talk, just let them get on with their workout.

At the end of the day, just try to be kind, respectful and considerate to other members of the gym. We all just want to have the opportunity to enjoy our workout. The above points are important to keep in the back of your mind at all times, it will make the gym a lot more pleasant for everyone.

Let’s work together to create a safe and supportive environment for all!