Behave Yourself! At the Gym

On my most recent visit to the local gym, I noticed there were a few new signs posted in and around the place.  One of these signs, posted on an elliptical, said this:

"Here at [Local Gym Name], we respect and urge every member to exercise on every machine here that they are comfortable with.  However, costs for repairs of our beloved machines are starting to go up, and we believe it may be due to improper use and use by some members who may not be suited for certain machines.  We do not want to discourage use of our gym, but we do want our members to keep in mind that our machines do have weight limits, which we will post below:

     Treadmill     500lbs

     Elliptical      400lbs

     Bikes          350lbs

As always, if you have any questions, please ask any one of our staff members and we will be happy to assist you."

I had to question myself and also check myself to make sure that I wasn't exceeding any of the limitations.  Of course, I knew that I hadn't gained 50 lbs since my last visit to the gym!  Luckily, I don't use the bikes either, so I was good there.  However, I did have to think about how many times I might have used the machines a little too vigorously during a workout.  I decided to tone back my elliptical workouts for the time being, and switch to the treadmill for my really hard exercises, like when I want to go all-out.  However, this sign and the others that talk about parking, towels, and sharing aren't just for me, but for everyone that goes to my gym.

The simple fact here is that a lot of people in this area have never been to a gym before, and many of them aren't familiar with gym etiquette.  Some of them are familiar with these simple laws, but choose to ignore them out of laziness.  Either way, we could all use a refresher.

• Clean Machines - This is perhaps, one of my biggest pet peeves at the gym.  I hate going to a machine and getting myself on to it, only to find out that the last person to use it left a little bit of themselves there.  I am in no way a fan of mixing sweat.  My gym is awesome in the fact that they provide clean towels and bottles of cleaning spray for it's members to use.  If your gym isn't like this, make sure you bring your own towel to clean up after yourself when you get done using a machine.  Remember to wipe off all of the surfaces that you have touched.  It's even nice to sometimes check where your shoes have been.  Just make sure that the machine is as clean if not cleaner than it was when you found it.
• Clean People - There's no way to sugar-coat this.  Make sure you don't smell like your asshole before you go to the gym.  Mixing heat, sweat, blowing fans, and moving people in with that already pungent smell is not fun to be around.  You don't have to take an all-out shower before going in, but make sure you're clean.  This rule also applies to dirt and grime.  If you work at a garbage dump and you go to the gym after you clock out, you might want to take a shower first.  Tracking dirt and garbage all over the gym is not cool.
• Sharing is Caring - Unless you're the only person at the gym (if you're like me and go sometimes after midnight, it could happen!), be respectful of other people who may want to use the machine you're on. Don't hog the treadmill or elliptical.  Usually, gyms will post a time limit of 20-30 minutes per person for each cardio machine.  As far as weight machines, free weights, and benches go; don't stay there all day.  Let somebody else use them during your rest periods, or find somebody to rotate out with on the machines.  Don't forget to put equipment back in its proper place when you're done with it.
• Be Gentle - If you're like me, and you're overweight, remember to take it easy on the ellipticals.  If you're going at it so hard that the machine is shaking, swaying, or trembling; TONE IT BACK!  Switch to a different machine if you need to.
• Quiet Gym = Happy Gym - A little bit of this falls in with the last rule.  If using a weight machine, please don't use the machine so hard or so loosely that the weights clang together like symbols.  This isn't a factory, and sounds of metal hitting metal only tells other that you are using bad form when you exercise.  Also, turn your iPod down and get off your damn phone.  Not everyone wants to hear what your sister had for lunch or listen to the latest song from Snoop Dogg.  By being loud, you are breaking other people's focus.
• Cover it up - Short and simple: buttcracks, bellys, thighs, backhair, and any other thing that strikes your as unsightly should be covered up at the gym.  Don't compromise your workout by wearing too much clothing restricts your movement, but think of what others have to look at when you go in.  Not everyone is drop-dead sexy.
• Eyes Forward - It's only natural to be curious and look around occasionally.  Don't make a habit of it, though.  It's just not polite to stare at people, especially at a gym.  That girl or guy across the room may be looking pretty hot to you, but don't keep your eyes locked on them.  You're there to focus on your workout, and so are they.  They also may be self-conscious, and you staring at them makes them want to cut their workout short or use bad form.  This also goes for fat and ugly people, because we have feelings too. 

If we all remember to keep these basics in mind, going to the gym can be an enjoyable experience for everyone involved!