Sonia
Whether you are new to the gym or a fitness enthusiast, remember that the gym is a communal area. Some gym goers often display inconsiderate or rude behavior, knowingly or unknowingly. If you are one of them, remember that it is also your responsibility to remain mindful and respectful of the communal premises. The article highlights 20 rude gym habits that you need to stop right now.
Occupying Equipment for Long Time
Remember that this is not your personal gym. It is rude if you are spending a lot of time hogging an exercise equipment, and not letting anyone else use it. Make it a point to limit spending time on a single piece of equipment. Give everyone a chance. What you can instead do is start visiting the gym when there are less people.
Failing to Clean Equipment after Use
Gyms do have cleaning staff but it is considered rude to leave equipment with your sweat for the next user to clean it. Make it a point to carry sanitary or disinfectant wipes to wipe down any equipment after use. Remove all the sweat, and leave a hygienic environment for the next person using it.
Using Phone
Won’t you be annoyed if you see other gym goers talking loudly on the phone or hogging gym equipment while on an active call? Go outside if you have to take a call and put your phone on silent mode to avoid disturbing others with the caller tune. Gyms are shared spaces; do not use your phone and inconvenience others.
Dropping Weights on the Floor
All gyms have dedicated spaces where weights are kept for use. If you are taking weights off the shelf, it is your duty to return the weights at the same place after use, and not drop them on the floor for gym staff to take care of it. Dropping weights on the floor can not only create distraction for others but also spoil the floor. Never do this.
Interrupting Workouts
Like you would not want anyone to disturb you while working out, you should not do the same either. Approaching another gym goer to offer unsolicited advice or interrupting someone while they are working out is intrusive and distractive. Focus on your own workout and respect the personal space of others.
Avoiding Gym Etiquette
Gyms are shared communal spaces with their own set of rules. All gyms have their rules and guidelines for members to follow. It is your duty to familiarize yourself with them and follow them while you are at the premises. This could include guidelines to follow gym timings, refraining from using chalk, wearing appropriate gym attire, and so on.
Spreading Personal Belongings
Your gym certainly contains a lot of things: protein shake, shoes, towels, clothes, headset, and others. As said before, gym is not a personal space; never leave your personal belongings outside or strewn about the gym floor to cause inconvenience to other members. Learn to manage your belongings and be mindful of your surroundings.
Lingering Glances
Gym is not the place, or any place whatsoever, to ogle at others. Don’t be that creep. Staring at someone or invading someone’s personal space is extremely rude. You are going to make them feel self-conscious and uncomfortable with your presence. Always maintain a respectful distance from everyone.
Playing Loud Music
Your music playlist could be the coolest ever but that does not mean you are going to blast it on full volume in the gym. Gyms have their own playlist. If you don’t like it, carry headphones to listen to your curated playlist. Same goes for watching videos on loudspeakers. Your private media preferences should be enjoyed privately.
Offering Unsolicited Advice
You could be the epitome of fitness wisdom but that does not give you the liberty to share or offer unsolicited fitness advice to others. It is rude and condescending. If members want advice, they can go to the gym trainer or come to you on their own. Stopping people in the middle of their sets will be intrusive. Focus on your exercise, and only when asked, offer assistance.
Blocking Mirrors
Gym selfies are precious! Standing in front of the mirror, with my tummy tucked in, and clicking various pictures is no doubt entertaining, but only when it does not obstruct the view of others or crowds the area. Click as many pictures you want when the gym is empty or very less crowded. Mirrors are there for a purpose. Do not obstruct the view of others.
Cutting In
It is disrespectful and rude to barge in on someone’s set or circuit without taking permission. In the interest of time, people often rotate the sets between them but that is always prearranged. Barging in unannounced will throw people off their progression and rhythm. Wait for your turn patiently.
Spreading Body Odor
Gyms are closed spaces, unless it is an open-air gym. Sweating is natural but body odor is off-putting to everyone. When 50 people are sharing the same space, sweat and body odor is bound to be overwhelming. Do not neglect personal hygiene. If you have a strong body odor, spray deodorant and carry a bottle with you. Practicing good hygiene isn’t optional.
Hogging Group Classes
Do not barge in on group classes. Avoid monopolizing group classes just because the timing is inconvenient to you. If you want to join, register in advance and respect class size limits, if any. Do not arrive last minute and expect to be accommodated. You can fool once, but not twice. Everyone has the equal opportunity to participate, not just you.
Being Late
If you have opted for a personal trainer arrangement or have booked specific exercise classes, it is rude not to turn up on time. Turning up late once in a while due to a valid reason is fine but being late for appointments consistently shows a severe lack of consideration for others’ time. Communicate delays in advance and try to be punctual.
Misusing Cardio Equipment
I still remember this person who used to walk and run on the treadmill for 2 hours straight and then sit on the treadmill to relax! Two hours is too much anyway and then blocking the treadmill for someone else to use is simply rude and improper. Cardio equipment is not for relaxing. Step outside or sit at a designated space to relax.
Leaving Personal Items
Even though all gyms have CCTVs these days, it still does not dissolve you of your responsibility to look after or manage your personal belongings. Either keep the personal belongings in the gym locker or keep an eye on them if they are in an open space. Avoid cluttering the gym and any risks of theft. If theft happens, no one else is responsible except you.
Ignoring Safety Protocol
A lot can go wrong in a gym if you are not careful. Injuries can happen. Please ask the gym facility about their safety protocols, such as if they have doctors on call and what precautions do they have to maintain member safety. Never disregard gym safety protocols such as loading any equipment beyond its capacity or lifting heavy weights without a spotter.
Using Gym When Sick
This is such a no-brainer! You should never use a gym when you are sick. Yet, you can often see people with basic health issues like cough, cold, and fever working out at the gym. It is very irresponsible. You do not have any right to transmit the virus to other gym members, and cause them health problems.
Asking for Free Gym Days
It is not the gym owners’ fault if you are not utilizing the gym membership. Do not buy long-term gym membership packages if you are unsure of your attendance. Buy monthly or weekly subscription plans. It is rude to try to guilt trip the owner into extending your membership just because you have been lazy to go to the gym!
Comments
Loading…