Gym Etiquette

Baddass72 · February 3rd, 2006, 12:22 PM

I wanted to start a thread regarding Gym Etiquette and allow members to vent about what bothers them most while working out.
Does the guy using dumbells next to you like to throw them when he's done? How about the person whose sweating like a pig and never cleans up the bench. How about the guy who wants to talk your ear off when the only thing you want to do is get back to your bicep workout.
At my gym, there's this one guy who has terrible "backne" and loves to pose and flex in front of the mirrors in between sets. I ignore people like that, but I still think it's funny.
Anyway, I thought this would be a good thread to start.
So, lets hear it. What pisses you off in the gym?

Madflabby · February 3rd, 2006, 01:10 PM

I'm a sweaty mofo,l but I wipe. I can understand the frustration in that. Chatterboxes really anoy me, I like to socialize too, but I'm in the gym to train. I hate getting my tempo facked with.

**ppsuprise** · February 3rd, 2006, 01:27 PM

well i like to pose up some to keep me pumped but i dont have bacne, but i geuss the one thing that bothers me is people onthier cell phones while training or something. i geuss i get on others nerves when i screaming when im pushin that last rep in (i dont scream that loud but im not queit either). or seeing half naked chicks working out............ wiat a sec i like that :P

HardGainer23 · February 3rd, 2006, 01:37 PM

I get annoyed when guys come in and sit on the bench the whole time. Tryin to impress t he girls on the treadmils. I also get annoyed when im doing my pullups or dips. And im resting between sets and someone starts doing tricep cable pulldowns. Its like ummm hello? I was just there.

mr-bull · February 3rd, 2006, 02:15 PM

i never really liked it when someone, (i know its not really there fault as im kind of like it myself) are really heavy footed on the tredmill next to you. I keep finding im running to the sounds of there thuds and end up tripping on my own feet because were on diffrent speeds!!

**sohail** · February 3rd, 2006, 02:37 PM

i dont like when guys just sit in the gym and get lost in their own world, this is called gym dreaming. also when guys crack jokes and start laughing and making noises when they are in groups also pisses me off. the most annoying thing is people giving advices to newly joined members as if they are showing them the perfect routine.dont give advices unless ur name ends with schwarzenegger!!!

**Old_Fart2** · February 3rd, 2006, 02:38 PM

Oops, I'm that guy that throws the dumbbells down. I rather toss them than injure myself. I do try to make sure they don't fly off and hit someone, though.

My biggest pet peave is people who don't unload the weights when they're done. And I usually confront them about it. The typical response is: Oh, yeah, I was gonna go back and unload them. Yeah, right.

I also hate cell phone users and socializers. The gym is for working out. Either work out or get out of the way.

**hdacosta** · February 3rd, 2006, 02:38 PM

the worst thing at my gym is that I am working out at a bench and I really want to refill my bottle of water at the water fountain...even though I just finished the 2nd set of 3 sets...so I go to fill it up, come back, and some douche bag just took my spot. Makes me sick! but, a bonafide reason to go hard on the next set as I am thouroughly pissed off!

**Old_Fart2** · February 3rd, 2006, 02:41 PM

Oh yeah, newbies who don't understand supersetting and don't get why you have your belt on the leg curl machine and your towel on the leg extension machine. They just move your stuff and start their set.

**Old_Fart2** · February 3rd, 2006, 02:43 PM

Here's an article I saved some time ago. I think it's from Jeff Everson:

Rule #1: Attitude

"Yo, check me out, I'm so big & bad I don't HAVE to wait for my turn on the leg press! Take a hike, dweeb!" No matter how bad you think you are, I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate being pushed around by Greg Kovacs or some other 350+ dude yourself. Size is NOT an excuse to behave like an ass, bluntly put.

In fact, if you're big, that usually indicates that you've spent a number of years in the gym and therefore should have acquired a certain amount of gym manners. So what in fact you WOULD be proving is that you're not only insecure, you're also making an effort in fulfilling the myth of the muscle head-with-an-attitude. Great going, dude.

Rule #2: Wiping

If you've finished a set of leg curls and discover that you've left a nice little ocean on the cushion big enough for your nephews to play sea battle on it, it might be a good idea to wipe it off. Think about it - what is sweat? Essentially the same as urine. Do you feel like lying down and rubbing your face in another person's urine? Of course, some wise guy might argue that it evaporates and therefore is no problem.

Except for the slight detail of it being the WATER evaporating. The really yucky part remains, and is ready for the next person who, unknowingly, wets it with his own sweat and gets it all, so to speak. Think of it as "instant urine" next time you see a slob walk away from his pool of sweat with that excuse.

Rule #3: Personal Hygiene

Fortunately, most people know what the word "deodorant" means. It's also commonly found as part of standard gear in gym bag, which is even better. However, it does not replace the shower. There's a major difference between being clean/hiding stench. It also goes for gym clothes, which should be washed often. Shoes can be quite something else in this category, as they have this tendency to turn into virtual stink bombs.

Preferably, alternate several pairs and take out the inner soles when not in use. Avoid storing them where air circulation is bad, and storing them in the gym bag 24 hours a day is banned! There's also the aspect of certain foods to avoid before going the gym. If you like stews with garlic by the pound, go ahead and indulge - but not the night before going to the gym! Other foods, such as pigging out on beans before doing squats, is not recommended either. For obvious reasons.

Rule #4: Neatness

Keep the weights where they belong - NOT on the floor, on the machines or on the barbell! When you leave, make sure to have returned ALL the plates, and more specifically, to their designated spots. The heaviest plates usually go low while going lighter as you go up, and even though a 100 lb-plate isn't a problem for you when standing on your tiptoes, it might be slightly more difficult for 61-year old, 5'3" aunt Marge to reach the 10-lb plates which lies hidden behind your 100-lb'er.

Of course, kicking over someone's water bottle is bad but even if it's your own, you should wipe it up. Do NOT wait for someone in the staff - just do it! You kicked it over, didn't you? Well, then YOU take care of it!

Rule #5: Advice

If you see someone, beginner or not, who does an exercise not only wrong but directly HARMFUL to them, wait until their set is done and gently approach them about the problem. That doesn't mean:

"Yo, bozo, you're all WRONG!" but more like: "Have you tried keeping your back straighter? Perhaps you might want to try it in your next set, as it can help you target the muscles better and decrease the risk of injury?" Keep it low profile, without embarrassing the other one. Gentle inquiry and correction is better than wiseass-guru attitude. If the person appear to take it the wrong way, it's their problem so just go back to doing your thing. He'll wise up on his way to the emergency room.

Needless to say, it works both ways - if YOU end up being the one corrected, swallow the pride for a minute and embrace the chance of having your form improved!

Of course there are many more, minor rules, such as not slamming down the weights, refusing to share a machine, loud cursing and so on, but these are the most basic rules. In my humble opinion. If you've grasped those 5 basic rules, I say the other rules is pretty much mere extension of the basics.

hopefades · February 3rd, 2006, 02:44 PM

eeh...I still love it when the juiced up guidos stay at one cable pulldown the whole time and try racking it to impress the few girls there. another would have to be people with mp3' players singing to the song at the top of their lungs. oh and finally people on cells phones. yeah that too. lol

**PowerHouse** · February 3rd, 2006, 02:47 PM

Getting chalk all over the bench is kind of annoying, one time I dusted chalk off of the bench and this guy comes over and is like "What are you doing!?". What the hell do you think im doing im not going to get chalk all over me, is my responce.

When I do squats people coming up to me telling me I shouldn't do that much weight because you will hurt yourself. And I dont know how many times i've heard, "OMG your doing deadlifts, you know that will hurt your back" Going on to tell me how EXTREMLY dangerous deadlifts are.

badbietz · February 3rd, 2006, 04:05 PM

Socializes are the worst, especially when they don't get the hint. I use an iPod for a reason. So I don't have to talk to you. Don't get me wrong being pleasant and friendly is one thing but if the conversation is more than 15 seconds I'm out. And if you are going to chat don't sit on the equipment and tie it up for twenty minuets.

And what's up with tight shorts guy. Don't wear your damn spandex cycling shorts to the gym. This obviously only applies to men.

Hrothgar · February 3rd, 2006, 04:26 PM

People who concentrate more on their socialization skills then their workout really irk me. I blast my Ipod to drown out their incessant chatter.

**illiniballfan112** · February 3rd, 2006, 04:36 PM

Wow, good pet peeves guys, i got a couple more or some to reiterate:

1. If i have my headphones on, don't talk to me...theere's this guy who always approaches me and kinda upsets me cuz when i see him that's 10 minutes out of my workout, but he doesn't get the point of the headphones.

2. I guess this one comes from me having a lot of experience, but i workout at lifetime (a HUGE gym for those who don't know) and i always feel there is something else i can do if someone's on a machine i use. i don't like when the gym is next to empty and someone works in with me on a cable crossover when there's like 20 other machines for cable flyes there.

3. Guys who shave their balls in the locker room (i've seen it twice)

4. asking me "what i'm working on today" when you're standing there watchin me do a bicep curl.

5. sorry if alot of members do this, but i think the squat cage should be only for squats and powerlifts....i can't stand when people do bicep curls on them with the olympic bar when there's ab out 50 other places to do curls but that'ss the only place i can do squats safely

6. and finally, when i go there and there's no HOT girls, i can admit it, thats' a huge motivating factor for getting to the gym!!

Quazimodo · February 3rd, 2006, 05:28 PM

What is the opinion on curcuit-training? I am quite peeved by guys using three machines at a time for a circuit during peak hours. Don't get me wrong - nothing against circuits - just not at 6:00 pm. I know Men's Health recommends it and it's your new year's resolution but do it at 9:00 pm or 2:00 pm. Not when everybody and their granddad are here.

Pet peeve #2 is guys who use the pull-up bar for stretching - common Yoga types, there is a whole room for that kind of stuff.

**Gman1524** · February 3rd, 2006, 05:34 PM

Newbs that flood the gym in January because they made a New Year's resolution. Thankfully, they break their resolutions by mid February.

Looking_For_Advice · February 3rd, 2006, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gman1524

Newbs that flood the gym in January because they made a New Year's resolution. Thankfully, they break their resolutions by mid February.

I strongly agree with this one.