The Aquinian
DUANE’S TOP 8 GYM ETIQUETTE RULES
For many people, going back to school means getting back into shape and going back to the gym.
Whether you are trying to fit into those jeans, make first string on a varsity team or look good in your Adam and Eve, you’ll have to put in some hard work in the weight room. Here’s a list of rules to make the gym experience more enjoyable for your self and others.
1. No cell phones
There is nothing worse than having to hear a Jonas Brothers ringtone coming from the guy beside you and then being forced to listen to his obnoxious voice. No phones in the gym or locker room.
2. Wear Deodorant
The muscles that you are trying to exercise are getting enough abuse as is, there is no need for your nostrils to undergo the same torment.
Oh yeah, don’t confuse deodorant with cologne or perfume
3. Put your equipment away
The area you were working out in should be spotless when you leave it. This goes for weights, exercise bands, stability balls, skipping ropes and anything else that you may have used.
4. Wipe the machine down
No one wants to share your sweat or wipe up the pool of perspiration that you left on the machine. It’s almost impossible to find a fitness facility that doesn’t provide some form of cleaner and wipes for the members. Be mindful of others when sharing the gym floor.
5. Don’t be a space hog
Don’t perform your set of whatever directly in front of the rack of dumbbells, so that no one else can use them until you have finished.
This also goes for guys in the squat rack doing curls with the pink weights and doing push ups in front of the water fountain.
6. Share
If someone asks to work in with you, don’t say, I only have two sets left. Allow them to use the equipment while you rest in between your sets. The extra 10-15 seconds it will take to get set up again for your set will not make or break you work out.
7. Do not spit in the fountain
It’s just plain nasty to bend over for a sip of cold water and see the byproduct of that persons head cold still fighting to get down the drain. Enough said.
8. Attire
It’s now 2009, spandex is officially out of style for gentlemen.
Overexposure does not only apply to the film industry. Leave the ripped jeans, dirty clothes, flip-flops, stripper-wear and daisy dukes at home.
Some clean and comfortable athletic wear usually does the trick.
Duane Wilson is a personal trainer who specializes in training elite athletes.