What is Gym Etiquette?
Gym etiquette is all about respecting the place you call your mecca and also respecting those go to your mecca. Everyday when I go to the gym I can always point out the guys or girls that have never been here before. They have no idea what they are doing and stand around about 10 minutes between every exercise looking for the next thing to do. Here are 4 proper gym etiquette tips so it isn’t obvious you don’t know what you are doing.
Plan out your workout before hand.
When you go to the gym having no idea what you want to accomplish, it can cause chaos. This can cause overcrowding by people standing around and being in the way of everyone else. Why are are you at the gym if you don’t have a plan ahead of time? Save yourself the hassle of looking like a lost puppy by being proactive and have your workout established ahead of time. Have trouble coming up with workouts? Head over to our Workout plans or WODS page!
Always wipe down machines after use.
This is the most important rule to good gym etiquette. The gym is filled with other people’s germs and when you do not wipe down your machine after use you just spread more germs. According to Lorraine Smith, MD, MPH, of the Osborne Head and Neck Institute in Los Angeles, germs can live up to hours at the gym because they love the wet and warm environment. People always think that there is no point to clean their machine after use even if they “didn’t sweat” but the matter of the fact is that germs are still being spread even without sweating. To prevent the possibility of getting sick, please clean your machine after use and if you want to play it safe wipe it down before.
Rules of the Rocking the Tank.
My personal favorite because there is nothing better then seeing a guy with little noodle arms trying to fill out a cutoff. My personal requirements in order to rock a tank are as follows: Bench a minimum of 225 lbs, squat a minimum of 315 lbs, curl at least 40 lbs and shrug 275 lbs. If you can do all of these then i bet you have the body type to fill out a tank. My friends at bodybuilding.com suggest that you be less then 15% body fat and arms that are bigger then 14 inches around. To all the guys that wanna show off and wear tanks but have nothing to actually show off, stop it, you’re embarrassing.
Don’t hog machines.
There is not a more frustrating sight than someone sitting on at a bench press for an hour, more concerned about playing candy crush or swiping right. Like what? Get off the phone and put in some work! People that do this are also the same people that go to the gym for 3 years running and see absolutely ZERO results. You are also the reason why some people are at the gym longer than they need to be. The only reason you should be on the phone is if you are trying to find that jam to crank out that next set of 315.
Next time you go to the gym remember these 4 key tips because these are personally my 4 biggest pet peeves at the gym. And remember the key to success, #Gains.
I like this article, it doesn’t exactly apply to women, but I found the Tank Rules quite humorous. I would have liked a bit more of an argument, and make sure you’re proof reading your blog before you post it. There are a few “I” and other grammar mistakes.
I couldn’t agree more, being that we lift together I hate when people just stand around or text while sitting on the machine you want to use. And nothing pisses me off more than when I pop a squat on a bench and it’s covered in another individuals sweat. I loved this post, you really laid down the law.
I found this to be very informative, yet fun to read! I love working out and though I already knew a bit of what you talked about, I think it is very important to let others know so they can be well prepared next time they hit the gym. I think it was so enjoyable to read because I felt like you were having a conversation with me! The tone was perfect and the blog was organized perfectly. Nice use of bold headings for each section with each big point.
I like your style of presenting the info on your blog posts, but I’m not too sure if properly filling out a tank top necessarily counts as “etiquette.” People who stand in front of equipment, in everyone’s way, just socializing or texting… Those are the people who lack etiquette and really don’t seem to know what they’re doing.
Couldn’t agree more especially with the wiping down the machine. No one wants to go use and machine and then when they get on it feel all the gross sweat from the previous person. As for wearing a tank top i wouldn’t factor in the squats just cause legs don’t fill out tank tops the upper body does but other than that everything everything else was spot on.
Important points in this article that we should be aware about this 4 proper gym etiquette tips. This would surely be a huge help. Thanks for sharing this one out.