Comments on: Gym Etiquette 101

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:56:48 +0000

My personal pet peeve is when ppl were perfume/cologne and I have to keep sucking it in when I breathe. HATE THAT!

By: SarahF

SarahF — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:25:29 +0000

I love these rules. Though I want to add one-leave your cell phone in the locker room. If you must have it with you-DO NOT sit on a machine while you chat. There are other people who are waiting for you to finish your conversation so they can use that machine.

Oh and another one-leave your kids at home or in day-care. I hate when I’m swimming lanes and get hit in the head with a ball that kids are throwing around in the “Lane Swimming” only area

By: Hallie

Hallie — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:30:02 +0000

I am in such a zone when I work out, that I get SO thrown off when people try to talk to me. I don’t like listening to my iPod when lifting weights (apparently I am incapable of counting to 15 and listening to Britney at the same time) but I will also pretend-listen sometimes.

My other rule is, don’t linger on the equipment if you’re not using it. Taking a rest break is fine, but don’t sit there staring into space for ten minutes. If you do, I have to ask you if you’re still using it, which means I have to TALK to you, and clearly, I don’t want to do that!

Oh, but I totally steal magazines. When there is a magazine I like, I put it in my backpack right away because if I don’t, someone else will! But, I do bring in my old magazines for the rack, so I that justifies it for me.

By: treeview

treeview — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:31:59 +0000

Rule #9 Don’t stare. It might be that you can’t take your eyes off someone because they look super-hot or like a car-crash (see rule #5) but staring causes people to become self-conscious and is very disconcerting/creepy for the recipient. At least learn to use the reflections in mirrors if you must check others out.

Rule #10 Be reasonably clean when you get to the gym. If your work during the day has made you a bit ‘fragrant’ then having a shower before you start sweating in a crowded area with lots of other people is appreciated.

By: Jerheezy

Jerheezy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:27:04 +0000

I take great offense to rule #5. My pale man-thighs need to be enjoyed by all!!!!

By: lisa

lisa — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:29:02 +0000

i am very passionate about #1. i raise my fist in agreement with you, and yes, i totally pretend-listen to my ipod, too, just like people pretend-talk on cell phones.

i want to add one more: people who use treadmills and elliptical in a manner that might break them. i see people ALL THE TIME going full PLUS speed on ellipticals with (obvious) low resistance, and you could HEAR the machine crying. there was another girl who used to put the incline on the treadmill to the maximum while running at the maximum speed too. she was literally hugging the machine and was moments away from falling off.
i mean, gym = stress reliever hallelujah, but there IS a limit.

By: deb

deb — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:14:23 +0000

Oh LORD, #3 needs to be engraved in gold and put up all over my gym. By 10 am the 90# weights are in the slot for the 20#.. and heaven only knows where the 20#s are.

maybe #10 If it’s a busy time, do not hog a machine.

It’s nice that you want to do an hour of cardio – but when people are standing in line waiting for the treadmill, be polite and cut your time to the stated 30 minute limit.

Or when the weight room is packed, do not load the leg press machine, do minimum reps with 5 minute rests and tell folks that you have “10 more sets” left.

By: Kelly Turner

Kelly Turner — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:00:35 +0000

ha- funny you use the term “tool”. My boyfriend and I refer to guys that love thier reflections at the gym way too much as “toolboxes.” Secret code comes in handy.

wow, i think thats another thing that makes me a horrible person

By: Kat Ahn

Kat Ahn — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:57:15 +0000

Whoops.. I did that…um..like two weeks ago. Note to self…don’t be a tool

By: Kelly Turner

Kelly Turner — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:55:15 +0000

Confession about #1- sometimes my iPod dies and I leave it in just so i dont have to make small talk. I htink that makes me a horrible person, but Im ok with it

thanks Kat- you reminded me of another one. Rule #9 dont go buy a smoothie right after your workout that has more calories in it than you burned. and then ask for a fat burning suplement to be added to it.

By: Kat Ahn

Kat Ahn — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:11:27 +0000

Love this post! I’m just like you…I get in the zone when working out.

By: Katherine

Katherine — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:10:52 +0000

GREAT TIPS! I agree with each and every one of them – especially #1. As a subpoint, do not hit on a person at the gym. If I am busting my (appropriately covered) butt and sweating like some kind of farm animal, this is not an acceptable time to come up to me, flexing your biceps (that are smaller than my husband’s) and ask if I come to this gym often, or if I need a spotter, or if I’ve tried any of the protein shakes at the juice bar.

By: Anna B.

Anna B. — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 23:56:10 +0000

AMEN! I agree with every one of these rules. From personal experience, #1 is the most important to me. When I’m at the gym, and my music is in, I mean business!!