GYM MANNERS 101
A gym is a place where people work out in hopes of becoming healthier. Often, there are a lot of people. Everyone needs to follow some basic guidelines about cleanliness, and consideration of others. Most people follow the rules intuitively, but some don’t. In my and my husband’s combined 37 years of training people, we’ve pretty much seen it all. Do you know the rules? To test your gym IQ, take the following quiz. Note: Some of these answers may seem far-fetched, but we’ve actually seen people doing all of these things!
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1. You’re working out the gym while listening to music on your smartphone. The phone rings and it’s your BFF. You should:
A. Answer the phone and start gossiping loudly about your love life while on the elliptical machine.
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B. Go outside to talk to her.
C. Don’t answer, and let the phone keep playing that groovy disco dancing ring tone.
Answer: B. People get very annoyed when someone next to them is talking on the phone while they are trying to focus on their workout. Most people don’t enjoy prolonged ring tones, either.
2. You are dripping in sweat and notice the machine you’re using is completely drenched. You should:
A. Pretend you don’t see the puddle and walk away.
B. Blame the mess on a random person and point at them in disgust.
C. Bring a towel to the gym and use it to wipe down the equipment when you’re done.
Answer: C. If the gym doesn’t provide a towel, members should always bring their own, and use it to wipe up after themselves. It’s common courtesy, and also helps protect the vinyl on the machines - salt from our sweat can actually corrode the padding.
3. You have decided to do a circuit program, traveling between four different machines and exercise areas sequentially. It’s a busy time at the gym. You should,
A. Not worry about anyone else and continue with your program.
B. Glare at or scold anyone who attempts to touch “your” equipment.
C. Only do circuit training at less busy times at the gym.
ANSWER: C. If you want to do a program like this, come to the gym at a less busy time.
4. You are working out with 100-pound plates on the leg press. After finishing, you should,
A. Leave them on the machine for the gym staff to replace – that’s their job.
B. Leave them on the machine and laugh when a senior citizen struggles to take the weights off.
C. Put the weights back in their proper storage positions.
Answer: C. It is not polite to leave dumbbells and plates that you have used. And someone can get hurt. It is YOUR job to replace weights and other equipment after using them.
5. You have had a long day at work. You notice you do not smell so fresh but want to work out. You should:
A. Keep deodorant in your workout bag and use it.
B. Pretend no one can smell you.
C. Announce to random gym members who cross your path that you stink and they should stay away from you.
Answer: A. Ideally, you should take a shower BEFORE working out – but at the very least, have deodorant available. And always wear clean workout clothes.
How did you do? Would most people at your gym answer everything correctly? If not, hang this article on the gym bulletin board. Hopefully, it will help make workouts a much more pleasant experience for everyone!
