Dos and don’t of Gym Etiquette

Most gyms have a list of rules and regulations, however, for anyone going to the gym whether as a first timer or on a regular basis, they are certain rules that one must follow to maintain respect and harmony with other persons who also use the gym. Below are some of the rules.

1. Always ask. If someone is using a machine or piece of equipment and you need something nearby, ask if you can. Don’t walk up and grab a weight plate from the rack when someone is squatting. Besides being extremely rude, it can be dangerous: you might knock the person squatting or bench pressing while they’re under a heavyweight, which could be disastrous.
2. Keep the equipment where it belongs: Have you ever walked into the weights area of a gym only to see a sit-up bench blocking the dumbbells? That’s a big no. Don’t drag a bench onto the deadlift platform, don’t leave plyometric boxes in the squat racks. Don’t try to deadlift in front of the dumbbell racks. Don’t try to do any weightlifting movements anywhere except the deadlift platforms or another designated area.
3. Be mindful of your surroundings: Gyms can be a dangerous place if you’re not alert. On busy times of day, in particular, you have to be super-mindful of the other patrons; don’t start doing dumbbell kickbacks without checking behind you, for example. Also, sometimes poorly laid out gyms have machines with their plate-loaded arms swinging out into a thoroughfare and if you’re not looking where you’re going, you might be in for a headache.
4. Bring a towel, use it: Gyms can be some of the most germ-ridden places you can go. One study found that 63 per cent of gym equipment showed the presence of rhinovirus (which causes the common cold), with weight training equipment more affected than cardio machines. Viruses love nonporous surfaces such as steel weights in particular. So, for both your own sake and the sake of other patrons, use that towel.
5. Selfies: Try to be discreet about them. We know you want to take them and you should be able to. If nothing else, they’re a good way to track your progress. But there are limits. Keep it to the change rooms or on less busy days when you’re not getting in the way of other patrons. The general rule of thumb here is: do what you want — just don’t infringe on anyone else’s gym experience.
6. Personal space: Respect it. can’t get to a bench on Monday night? Too bad. Don’t stand 20 cm away from the person who has one, ready to pounce. Aside from being dangerous for both you and the other person, we all know it’s not the most comfortable feeling to try and blast out some bicep’s curls while there’s a guy less than a metre away attempting power cleans.
7. Avoid the chitchat: The gym is a place of solace for many people and, although it can be a great social setting, try to keep the gossip to a minimum. If you run into a gym mate or someone you know, don’t stand around chin-wagging all through someone else’s session. And, of course, if someone is wearing headphones, it probably means they don’t want to be disturbed.

Source: www.lifefitness. com