I have been going to a gym to work out (weight lifting, cardio, etc.) for a long time (20+ years). Now I am not telling you this for the sake of bragging (I really don’t have much to brag about anyway) but because in that time, I have been able to observe the behavior of many a gym member.
Now to start with I have to say that most people I meet, or just observe at the gym, are fine people (or appear to be anyway), but there is a certain set of people who either don’t know about gym etiquette, or don’t care. This post is geared to the former. Mind you, this is just what I perceive to be the unwritten rule of law about working out in a gym.
- Wipe down benches and equipment after you get done using it. No one wants to wallow in your pool of sweat on that flat bench.
- Re-rack the weights that you have used. Most gyms have racks labeled nicely so it’s easy to figure out where things go. What ends up happening is that conscientiousness members end up putting this equipment away for you when you don’t.
- If the gym is busy, do your 3 or 4 sets on a piece of equipment and then move on so others can use it.
- If someone is using a piece of equipment that you want to use, politely ask to “work in”.
- If someone asks you to “work in” on a piece of equipment you are using, respond with “sure”.
- Guys, stop looking in the mirror at yourself. Yes, you have a huge bicep and I’m very impressed.
- There is no reason to drop weights, when you are done with a set lower them to the floor in a controlled manner. If you feel like you have to drop it, you were probably trying to lift more than you are capable.
- If the gym is full and all the treadmills/bicycles/ellipticals are taken, limit your run/ride to 30 minutes so someone else can have a chance.
That’s a short list. Please be courteous at the gym.
Paul
Well, it’s getting to be the time of year where 
