The unwritten rules of the weight room can be quite daunting for the uninitiated. I have spent years learning the subtle often confusing code of the gym. I am by no means an authority on the subject, and still have much to learn. I welcome any other insight into gym etiquette as this is by no means a comprehensive list. Thank you.
Always put your weights away, this seems basic but others will appreciate it. A clean gym is a safe gym.
Try to limit how many pieces of equipment you are using. We all love circuit training but taking up half of the machines in the gym will make you no friends.
If anyone asks if they can "work in" with you, they are asking if they can use/share the piece of equipment with you. The answer is always yes! Most will respect the pace of your workout and "work in" when appropriate.
Never curl in the squat rack, this is a long standing well enforced rule. If you want to do curls there are many options, but if you want to do squats there are few. Leave the squat rack for the people doing legs.
Never block anyone's view of the mirror. This one is less about vanity and more about lifting form. Looking at yourself in the mirror at a gym is very helpful in keeping good form. That is why gyms have so many mirrors. This can be difficult when the gym is busy, but people will appreciate the effort.
Don't skip or jump rope in the lifting area. This takes up a lot of prime real estate, there are usually more appropriate areas for this like a basketball court or cardio room. Same goes for abs, find a quiet out of the way place.
Please don't use chalk unless you are an Olympic lifter going for a personal best. Chalk makes a mess and is usually not needed.
Hygiene, this shouldn't need an explanation. If you get stinky at the gym kewl, if you come in stinky then workout not kewl. People get smelly when they workout, just try and show up clean. Also don't over do it on the perfume or body spray.
Respect, this is really the only rule people have to understand in the gym and life. We are all in it together and respect is vital!
all great. a couple things tho....
"Never curl in the squat rack, this is a long standing well enforced rule. If you want to do curls there are many options, but if you want to do squats there are few. Leave the squat rack for the people doing legs."
and overhead press (if there are no other racks you can use). kinda need a rack for overhead press, which isn't legs ;)
"Please don't use chalk unless you are an Olympic lifter going for a personal best. Chalk makes a mess and is usually not needed."
chalk is pretty important once you start lifting relatively heavy, which most powerlifters, bodybuilders, or any athlete/person following a strength focused program will be doing. the only thing is the person should be discrete about it, keep the chalk neatly stowed away and whipped out only when you need it, and try your best not to make a mess and clean up whenever possible.
And use your towel to clean off your sweat.
I hate picking up weights or using machines dripping with body fluids.
Quote from: Cindy on November 14, 2014, 02:06:50 AM
And use your towel to clean off your sweat.
I hate picking up weights or using machines dripping with body fluids.
The gym I go to has hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes for the equipment which I use profusely.
Keep talking to a minimum and lower the volume. If you want to have social hour, go somewhere else. Some people are trying to focus and talking distracts them. This is especially true for me, lol. It's one of the reasons I bring my own music and headphones -- keeps me focused and drowns out the unnecessary chatter of people who just can't shut up or feel the need to try their comedy routine at the gym. (¬､¬)
If your gym is small and/or crowded, don't do walking lunges.
Quote from: MrKarl35 on October 08, 2014, 10:38:21 AM
Please don't use chalk unless you are an Olympic lifter going for a personal best. Chalk makes a mess and is usually not needed.
Lol there are definitely reasons to use chalk beyond being an olympic lifter going for a PR. Olympic lifters aren't the only ones who use chalk. And yes, chalk can be a huge help. Its extremely helpful in stopping your grip from slipping when you've got sweaty hands, particularly when you're lifting heavier weights. Grip can slip because of sweat before actual grip strength fails. I'd rather see people using chalk than using straps for everything. Also if your gym has a no-chalk policy then just don't use powder chalk. Liquid chalk (that climbers use) isn't messy at all.
Overall agree with the rest though. Things that annoy me most at the gym are people who don't put their weights back after they're done, people who drop weights with no regard for others' safety (not talking about controlled drops here, obviously those can be necessary), and people who don't put collars on their barbells.
Oh, and people who stand right smack in front of the dumbbell rack to do their work out. Good job blocking everyone else from getting to the rack.