For many, the gym is considered to be a destination of sanctity and peace. A place where we can forget the headaches of the world and become one with the iron.
Whether you consider the gym to be a place of worship where you pray for the gains you are about to receive, or a social necessity where you hit the bar on a daily basis, there are certain unwritten rules that must be followed for the well-being of all those in attendance.
The gym is a generally a great atmosphere for all those to enjoy if the proper rules and protocol are followed. Keep these simple guidelines in mind at all times before stepping foot onto the gym floor.
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Wipe It Down
After performing numerous sets the bench is bound to be covered in sweat, blood, and maybe even tears. Do the next guy a favor and pay it forward by wiping that thing down after use.
If there is some type of object sitting on or around a piece of equipment this is the international symbol for, “hey bro, this is taken.” The individual has either a) gone to another area of the gym to do a superset, b) is getting water, or c) is using the restroom. Regardless of the reason follow the code and don’t use the equipment.
One of the worst things you can do to a fellow gym goer is talk to them midset while they are attempting to focus on getting the most out of every rep. Wait until that set is over before speaking your mind.
Headphones do not only mean the individual enjoys music it also means they do not want to be bothered. Headphones on means the rest of the world is turned off for that person.
The most annoying thing at a gym is when you go to look for the 80 pound dumbbells before eventually finding them in the spot where the 25 pounders go. If weights are placed in the wrong position it creates a perpetual cycle of misplaced dumbbells. Put the weights where they belong.
Hit most any gym in peak hours and you will know the struggle of not having a single dumbbell to work with. What’s worse is when one guy has all the weights — 30 to 80 pounders surrounding him because he’s doing dropsets. Don’t be THAT guy.
A common courtesy to follow for your fellow brother in iron is to let them work in with you between sets. If at all possible help your fellow brother out by offering your spot while resting between sets.
The most cringing sight in the world is seeing a guy attempting to press 100-pound dumbbells in flip flops. Not only does this look stupid but the level of danger is unthinkable. Drop that weight on your foot and end up directly in the hospital.
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Keep the Dryers to the Hands
These devices in the bathroom are called hand dryers for a reason … only use them for your hands. For whatever reason some guys think they can also dry other areas of their body with this equipment as well.
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Don’t Critique Others
Unless someone has a strong likelihood of hurting themselves or others, do not correct their form. Keep the focus on yourself to avoid any unwanted gym drama and/or potential embarrassment.
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Don’t Sing Out Loud
It doesn’t matter if you are Adele or Eminem avoid singing songs out loud as it will distract others from their workout. Sing in your head if you have to but the last thing I want to hear coming out of someone’s mouth at the gym is a poor rendition of my favorite song.
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No Air Boxing
For some reason every gym has the one guy that loves to air box in between sets. Whether he is an actual boxer or not, he just should not do this. It is not an effective form of cardio and it succeeds in doing absolutely nothing. Plus you don’t want to accidentally throw a right hook into the bro next to you.
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Don’t Lift Heavy Without Spotter
Unless you want to be the meme that ends up all over Social Media 24 hours later make sure you have a spotter that will keep you from dying. If not you may get stuck on the bench with the barbell on your neck having to wiggle your way out from underneath it.
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Don’t Gawk at the Hotties
Whether you are eyeballing the girl in yoga pants or admiring the physique of a dude from afar either way it is cool to stare. The only person you need to be focusing on is yourself in the mirror.
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Don’t Keep Asking for Free Advice
A quick tip or question for a beginner is acceptable but if you are attempting to get a free training session from a seasoned lifter think again. Other people are at the gym to workout not to give unsolicited advice.
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Stop Reminiscing
Nobody cares that you once benched 315 or half squatted 405 for 2.5 reps. There is no need to dig back into the good old days and brag about times past. Do the workout to the best of your ability and move forward.
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Don’t Use the Bench for Storage
If you are doing standing dumbbell curls don’t store your iPhone, towel, headphones, and water bottle on the bench. Open up the bench for others to use. You don’t want to be the root cause of people missing out on their gains.
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Don’t Mix at the Water Fountain
The nastiest sight in the world is old dried up protein powder remnants smeared all over the water fountain. Use your shaker away from the fountain with the lid tightened keeping people out of the line of fire.
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It’s Not a Social Event
Do not be one of those guys that does a single set of bicep curls then proceeds to talk to the nearest person for 40 minutes in front of the dumbbell rack. Do what you need to do at the gym and get out of the way.
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Wear Deodorant
This may seem like simple common sense to many but there’s always the one stinker that refuses to properly deodorize himself. Let’s face it most gyms are smelly places but body odor just enhances the sensation making it ten times worse. If you don’t do it for yourself do it for those working out around you.
