Hi Guys!
Something you may not know about me is I don't love going to the gym. I prefer hitting the pavement alone vs being trapped indoors at the gym with a bunch of strangers. It reminders me of gym class in grade school and that awkward adolescence feeling of being sweaty & unsure of your body around strangers. Do they even have those classes anymore? My injuries this year forced me in the gym a lot more and I must say there is some fascinating stuff going on there. People watching is seriously an underrated activity.
It dawned on me the other day that many people probably don't know what to do or what not to do at the gym. So today I bring you a few do's and don'ts at the gym to help those of you who may be new to the gym. These are true things I've observed at my gym last month. Some have made me laugh hysterically and others have made me shudder with horror. Disclaimer -> these are meant to be helpful and funny. So you've been forewarned and getting offended is not allowed.
WHAT TO DO...
Wipe Down Machines - Especially cardio equipment. Sweat and heat breed bacteria and spreading germs is just gross.
Respect Equipment Time Limits - Respect each other's time constraints when it's busy & people are waiting. Do your 20-30 minutes of cardio then move on. Get in, get out.
Share Weights – No hoarding allowed. You can't lift 3 dumbbells at the same time unless you have 3 hands so there really is no benefit in taking them at the same time.
Re-Rack Weights - Nothing is more annoying then searching all day for 1 missing dumbbell.
Bring a Towel - People don't generally like to share their towels and shaking your body like a dog to get it off you is just gross. If you're desperate, use paper towels. Most gyms have them all over for your use.
Bring Water - No one wants to hear you coughing, gauging or whatever that noise is called when someone's throat is dry and they hack. Annoying your neighbor by clearing your throat every two seconds is a good way not to make friends. Plus it's important to stay well hydrated while working out.
Shut The Shower Curtain - I'm sorry no one wants to see that.
Wear A Bra – Listen up ladies. The girls need to be protected during any kind of exercise. Just because you're sitting on a bike doesn't mean they're not gonna jiggle wiggle. I don't care if it's a real bra, a sports bra, a piece of spandex or duck tape. Put something on!
WHAT NOT TO DO...
Wear Garden Gloves To Lift Weights – They aren't meant for gripping weights or preventing calluses. They could slide off & someone could get hurt. Invest in $20 pair from your local sporting goods store. Besides someone may be allergic to your flowers.
Talk On The Phone – If you need to take a call, take it outside. No one needs to hear your conversation.
Sing & Workout – No one is dying to hear your voice while you're running on the treadmill next to them. Save your beautiful vocal cords for showering at home or the recording studio. It's running, not karaoke.
Blow-Dry Your Toes Naked - Understandable that you're concerned about fungus, but might I suggest putting on a few articles of clothing before proceeding to blow dry your toes? That would make it less weird for everyone. Thanks!
Leave Your Belongings Scattered All Over The Locker Room - Share the space with your neighbors and be sure to lock up your wallet, keys, phone & other important stuff too. Mmk?
Sit On Equipment For A Very Long Time – If you're in between sets that's fine but if you're kicking back catching up on email or even day dreaming, then move aside. Gym equipment is meant for working out not lounging. Be courteous to those who would like to use the equipment.
Clip Your Toe Nails – Just save this one for home. Nuf said.
Wear Street Clothes – Many stores now offer this new thing called fitness apparel. It's quite comfortable, affordable & even sweat proof. Target has really good stuff.
Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed says
Yikes. People watching is my favorite, but I do NOT want to see anybody clipping their toe nails or doing anything naked lol. Did you actually hear someone singing on the treadmill?!
Megan says
Yep! Happened to my Mom too.
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Hi Megan! Obviously, as a trainer and group fitness instructor, I spend a lot of time in gyms. To add on to your list, I also hate it when people sit and rest on a machine between sets. I mean, get up and move elsewhere when you're resting. And I hate it when women bend over in the locker room totally naked. It just seems inappropriate, and I see it far too often. hahahaha I'm with you on all of these things!! Funny post!!
Megan says
Thanks Ashley! The resting between sets is definitely frustrating. There are only so many machines & time is always a constraint. The locker room behavior is shocking.
Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate says
lol wearing a bra is definitely mandatory. Love this.
Megan says
Thanks lady!
Angie @ LoveTheRunning says
I totally agree on re-racking weights! It seems like people NEVER do that at my gym and it's very frustrating. I also think adding "Not getting in people's personal space" is important. I understand the gym can get crowded sometimes but you do not need to crowd people if there's room! Or ask how much longer I'll be using weights, if I'm doing 20 reps it'll only take me a few minutes, please be patient - I promise I'll put them back when I'm done lol
Megan says
I've had people take weights right from under my feet & then I feel bad when I tell them I wasn't finished.
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
Gardening gloves? Lol. I have seen some crazy stuff myself. The people watching is pretty insane. I think these are great straight forward tips. No one needs to walk around naked! You would think people would just know these things.
Megan says
I used to travel every week. You'd be surprised at the things I saw.
Kirtley @ The Gist of Fit says
Hahahaha did you wear garden gloves before? I have a super cute image in my head haha!
I thought I loved the idea of sexy calluses on my hands. Since rock climbing every day...my hands are super tough. Don't love that idea anymore. Not sexy at all haha. Totally for getting gloves and protecting the hands!
Megan says
Not me, it was an elderly man. I was dying laughing. And yes protect those pretty hands! They are the first thing that ages on us. We use them all the time.
Sarah @ Sarah's on the Run says
ha, I love this. I run the health & wellness center at a college and I WISH I could get this point across to some of our members. PERFECT! The only thing I can add is listening to music OUT LOUD! They make headphones for a reason!
Megan says
Maybe you should hang this post around your center as a friendly reminder.
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
That first paragraph sums it up for me! When I was injured I had pretty much the same experience observing and people watching. It is such an awkward thing to be around a bunch of mostly naked strangers, sweating and not talking to each other!
Megan says
I'm lucky. Most of the ladies in the morning I know well and they're super sweet. Watch my things when I shower, we talk about races coming up, injuries, etc. On the weekends is generally when I see the other craziness. I can't wait until I can be outside more.
Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness says
Haha!! I really don't know why ladies just want to cover up at the beach but at the gym they will freely not wear a bra or go naked! 😉 Those toe nails though!!!!
Megan says
I never thought about that. It's so true though!
Jill @ Champagne for Everyday says
I love this!!! It's so true. My biggest peev at the gym are people who don't wear deodorant or wear dirty gym clothes/old runners that start to stink when they sweat. Just no!!!! Also, women who give you the dirty glare if you smile nicely in passing in/out of the change room and guys who stare. Do - wear clean clothes and smile back =)
Jill
Latest Post: Shadow Play and Valentines Day - Hot in Coral
Megan says
I didn't think about the glaring stares. There's a woman at my gym who does that to everyone. She always has to put her things in the locker next to mine & will get right up next to me just to be rude. I try to smile at everyone no matter how bad my day is.
AJ @ NutriFitMama says
OMG yes!! Thank you! There really needs to be more awareness about gym etiquette! The way some people behave really baffles me. Also, if you are hacking up a lung- go home. No on wants your germs. And then to not even wipe down your machines afterwards? It reminds me of why I prefer at home over the gym...
Megan says
I wipe my machines before & after because so many people don't do it afterwards.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, omg! When I used to go to the local YMCA back home, EVERY TIME I went in the locker room there was this old woman (totally naked) showering with no curtain or she was finished with her shower and just walking around sans towel.....horrifying!
Megan says
Scary & it happens all the time.
Taca @ A Side Of Dessert says
I love these! I totally agree that I would rather workout outside than going to the gym but sometimes it can't be avoided!
Megan says
I can't wait until I'm injury free so I can avoid it more.
Sam @ Grapefruit & Granola says
I'd also recommend getting dressed before you start blow drying your hair. I guess it is probably cooler/more comfortable to do it naked but I'd rather not do my makeup beside a naked stranger 🙂
Megan says
That happens all the time in AZ. I think because it's so hot, but yes clothes are preferred.
Erin@BeetsPerMinute says
Love these! I have witnessed the blow drying toes thing many times. I just shake my head. One of my big ones which I CANNOT understand why anybody would do this is sitting on a bench NAKED. I haven't seen it much but there are signs all over not to do it and people just straight up don't care. Gross. The gym is a great place, but yeah, there's some cray stuff on it there at times. So funny/frustrating!
Megan says
Ugh...I've seen that one too. Even if they sit on a towel it's gross because they used it to dry themselves. Sometimes you just have to wonder.