Each and every gym has its specified code of conduct. These rules are to be followed to the latter and some are put on clear display over the wall.
In well-established gyms, these rules go beyond written rules. They comprise of strictly unwritten set rules that are passed down from generation to generation of passionate lifters.
Regardless of where one is in the world, there are certain things they cannot do. It may be because they are dangerous, disgusting, annoying, or all the three.
It is because of this reason that bad gym etiquette guide has been developed so those ruining it either knowingly or unknowingly can finally stop.
Why this guide to bad gym etiquette?
Some people don’t just get it! The fact that they are adding on mass gives them ‘I can do whatever I want’ thought in the gym. Ok, we get it, you got immense biceps. But get this straight; we don’t give a damn!
There are some things gym goers do that quite piss off. Not only do they suck to other gym goers, but also to the staff, equipment, and the entire globe.
Listed below are Shredded Academy’s ten holy commandments towards not being a complete nuisance in the gym. So let’s go to it right away.
The Ten Holy Gym Commandments
- You shall not smell bad
- You shall wipe up your own sweat
- If you can pick it up, you can put it back
- You shall not hog equipment
- You shall not butt in
- You shall not stare at women
- You shall not talk loudly on the phone
- You shall not spread your sickness
- You shall not curl or shrug in the squat rack
- You shall not undeservedly seek the attention of others
- You shall not smell bad
Let’s call it fumigating the gym. There’s nothing worse than an individual with no sense of personal hygiene.
Everybody sweats. We all do. It is even worse during a tough gym session. One would think Shredded Academy is fighting monsters. We shower each and every day, seven days a week, four weeks a month.
There absolutely no reason to smell like some piece of shit. Soap and water only costs a dime. Furthermore, most gyms have showers and this is included in the membership fee.
When people train hard, they breathe hard and therefore they need to breathe and smell smell-free air.
One should not be the reason stench air is polluting other people’s airways. So after workout, go and shower, put on some clean clothes, brush your teeth and come back to the gym when you are really fresh.
2. You shall wipe up your own sweat
There is nothing disgusting like finding a sweat filled surface or bench when you are just psyched, pumped, and ready enough to kick a set.
It is just disgusting and sickening.
First, sweat is potential source and path for some nasty infections. Right from MRSA, Hepatitis B Virus, Staph, Impetigo, Flu, and Cold.
It costs nothing to grab a towel and wipe up yourself. Not forgetting that the surface and bench too could probably be suffocating in your sweat. Do not spoil our gym mood.
3. If you can pick it up, you can put it back
It literally takes less time putting dumbbells and other weights back on the rack. There is no need to leave weights scattered all over the gym place.
If one can move around weights, even if they are big-bodied, it only means they are big enough to return them back. This will reduce potential hazards in the gym place.
By so doing, you are saving other gym users time, effort, and injury. Also, you’ll be a favorite of many.
4. You shall not hog equipment
This is for the ‘have it all’ mindset guys. Many at times you go to grab a weight that is fairly idle and you are treated with resistance from some guy who is purporting to use it. Funny enough, they are on a different workout.
Guys who want to perform a superset, giant set, triset, and god-knows-what kind of set literally at the same time. Denying other gym users opportunity to use certain weights.
It is usually nice to share. Save the supersets when the gym place is packed. Do not keep others waiting just because you want to go all at once.
5. You shall not butt in
Let’s be frank, faithful lifters know one or two things pertaining lifting. That is from pre workouts, snapbacks, diet, periodization, and name it all.
Not everybody needs unrequested advice when working out. It does not fit in well when a random guy butts into somebody else’s set uttering supposedly what one is doing wrong. Just keep it to yourself even if it is factual.
If people need help, its upon them finding it on their own and probably, their hired trainer serve the purpose.
Kind request; do not disturb.
6. You shall not stare at women
Women should be able to workout without having to undergo and deal with irritatingly gazing guys. If she’s rocking a tight fitting outfit, that’s none of your business. Maybe it’s a way of showcasing her hard fought effort. Or maybe, she’s just feeling good in it because it feels good to train in tight fitting outfits.
Irritatingly gazing at a woman does not create chemistry. If she’s interested in you, she’ll probably let you know. And most importantly, stay with your advice, if that’s too much to ask, refer to the fifth commandment.
7. You shall not talk loudly on the phone
Just so you know, the gym area is a holy place for worshiping the weights and pushing ourselves to new heights and limits. Everybody is here to smash goals, not decibels into the ear canals of the real dedicated and passionate players.
Therefore, annoyingly loud phone calls in the gym is not necessary. Not only are you becoming an eyebrow-raising person, but also you are becoming a nuisance to the entire team players working extremely hard to get those weights off the surface.
In the gym, work your lungs out and save the chat for later.
8. You shall not spread your sickness
It is funny how some people believe in sweating out sickness. It is a misadvised idea.
Ever asked yourself why guys often get flu or common cold-like symptoms from overtraining? It is because of the natural immune suppression.
If you fall ill, or pick up an infection while training, the best remedy is rest and seeking medication. Just by the virtue of breathing hard and heavily during training makes other people in the gym susceptible.
Therefore, stay at home (or hospital) and live to lift another day. Give others the chance to lift safely.
9. You shall not curl or shrug in the squat rack
Curling in the squat rack offers zero benefit. Absolutely zero. But it makes one look like a total jerk.
Let’s make this simple and clear; you want to curl or shrug in the rack, stop wasting valuable space specifically designed to make super-heavy quad busting squats possible. Leave the rack for those who train like real men.
10. You shall not undeservedly seek the attention of others
Deliberately making a scene in the gym by throwing bars and weights around like an insane person. The same goes for excessive noise makers who grunt loudly and scream from non-impressive lifts.
The final commandment dictates not to undeservedly seek attention. Everyone in there knows you’re working yourself out, and we also are working ourselves out. Some might even be admiring your efforts.
Be cool and stay calm in the gym.
Don’t forget, the earlier bodybuilders in time are watching
These are just some of the bad gym etiquette. Be keen to learn the culture of the place and see how lifters handle themselves. It just takes a little bit of the sixth sense.
Every different gym has their own practices and way of doing things. A behavior that can be tolerated in one gym could not be tolerated in another. Keenness, caution, and courtesy are key.
Consider your own actions, how they make you feel, and how they could make others feel. It’s never too late to fix baggage.