Whether you’re in a movie theater, nice restaurant, or workplace, there are rules, both written and unwritten, about what you should and shouldn’t do. The same applies when you’re in a public gym. When it comes to proper etiquette in the gym, there are a few things to go over. Some might be obvious and you might catch on quick; other rules may be a bit more unspoken, which makes them all the more important to acknowledge.
However, nothing here is absolute. If you forget something every now and then, it’s not the end of the world. If you need to make exceptions here and there, the whole gym won’t immediately turn on you.
You can also think of this as a “how to blend in at the gym” guide. Often times, a beginner’s worst fear is being singled out as such. Therefore, if you abide by common workout etiquette, people will assume you know what you’re doing.
Re-Rack Your Weights
This one won’t take long to figure out. When you’re done using dumbbells, barbells, and plates, place them back where they came from. It’s standard “put things back where they belong” practice, and also applies to any movable equipment like exercise mats, kettlebells, and resistance bands. This keeps the gym organized, and makes it easy for everyone to find the equipment they need.
In addition, specifically for plates, re-racking when you’re done with them is a common courtesy for the next person. This way, when the next person comes to bench, squat, or deadlift, they can immediately begin warming up with just the bar or their preferred weight rather than having to first take off plates that someone else used.
Something else I want to emphasize in particular is that when re-racking dumbbells, don’t just put them back anywhere on the rack; place them in their intended spots so the rack is organized by weight. It’s incredibly frustrating when dumbbells aren’t in sequential order, or two dumbbells of the same weight aren’t right next to each other, so you have to search through all the dumbbells to find the weights you need.
Wipe Down Your Equipment
It’s important to wipe down machines, benches, and equipment after you’re done with them, even if you don’t necessarily break a sweat. There still may be oils and odors left behind, so you should always use the wet wipes and cleaning sprays offered by the gym after you’re done.
Again, this shows courtesy to others, but there are practical reasons. The gym brings in a lot of people throughout the day, so it’s crucial that everyone does their part to reduce the spread of germs and bacteria and maintain the cleanliness of the facility.
Be Efficient
Obviously, you want to get a thorough workout in every time you go to the gym. Do the sets you need to do, take enough rest in between sets, and don’t feel rushed to get through your exercises; you have as much of a right as anyone else in the gym to use the machines and equipment provided. That being said, you should still try to be efficient and get through your routine in a timely manner. Don’t occupy machines and equipment for excessive amounts of time by doing unnecessary amounts of sets and taking far longer breaks than you need.
You’re a busy individual and your time is valuable, but other people are the same. Take your fair share of time to do an exercise, but be mindful not to hold up others. If you’d like some tips on how to get through your workout more efficiently, I’ve written a post on things you can do to save time at the gym.
If someone wants to use the same thing you’re using while you still have several sets left, something you can do is offer to let them work in with you and share the equipment. This is mutually beneficial because it allows the other person to move onto their next exercise while reducing any pressure for you to finish yours.
Use Only What You Need
Along the lines of the previous section, don’t delay other people’s workouts by taking up too much equipment at once. When it comes to dumbbells, barbells, and other free weights, only take what you need in the moment; let others use what they need until you need to use it. Don’t take weights for subsequent exercises in hopes of saving them for yourself or continue holding onto weights once you’re done with them. If you need to use multiple different weights or machines as part of a superset, be prompt in getting through the set so you minimize the time you’re occupying them.
In the end, the gym and everything it offers is equally shared, so respecting the fact that others are just as entitled to the equipment as you are is paramount.
Maintain a Peaceful Environment
It’s safe to assume that everyone at the gym is trying to focus on their workout, although different people have different approaches: some listen to music while others prefer to train in silence. Whatever the case is, let people create their own ideal training environment. In other words, don’t be distracting to others at the gym. Try to avoid slamming weights on the ground, grunting and yelling obnoxiously during an exercise, or having loud conversations.
Firstly, hearing these noises can simply be annoying for others. If you’re someone who likes to exercise in a relatively quiet environment, it can be hard to focus if there are constant distractions around you. Secondly, loud and sudden noises can be dangerous. The abrupt sounds of a weight crashing to the ground or someone letting out a high-pitched wail can easily catch others off-guard. If this causes them to lose mental focus or break the tension in their body, any weight they might be supporting may overcome and injure them in the process.
It’s Not Too Complicated
When it comes to proper etiquette in the gym, there really aren’t that many guidelines to follow. To be honest, most gyms are pretty free of judgement, and rightfully so; everyone has their own goals and their own approach to reaching those goals, so there’s no single standard of behavior to conform to.
Although in this post I’ve highlighted specific points to consider, the reality is that as long as you’re doing your part to maintain a safe and well-functioning space for you and everyone else, the only other thing you have to focus on is having a great workout.
