If you’ve ever been to a commercial gym for a month or longer, you know how it feels to share a gym with other people. A commercial gym is a lot like a community – we all have to share and learn to get along.
If you’re one of those people who has a nice setup in your own home gym, then go ahead and feel free to pass gas wherever you want to, and do whatever you want with your own equipment. For the rest of us who have to share a gym, there are a few unspoken rules.
Here they are:
1. Don’t forget to wipe when you’re done: You might not have heard this one for a very long time. But if you’re one of those guys that sweats profusely all over everything you touch, give it a little wipe with a towel when you’re done. There’s nothing wrong with getting sweaty during a good workout, but let’s keep it clean.
2. Don’t hog the bench: You might think nobody wants to use the bench, but just make it a good habit to put your keys or your sweater in a good place. You don’t need to take up an entire bench for 10 minutes just so you can put your water bottle on it. People will think you are saving the bench and actually need it for something when you don’t.
3. Don’t leave the weights out: Put the weights back where they belong when you’re done… I’m guilty of this one too. It’s easy to assume that the next person will want to use at least some of the weight that you leave on the bar, but that’s not always the case. Putting the weights back lets others know you’re done.
4. Don’t do bicep curls in the squat rack: The squat rack and the power rack weren’t made for bicep curls. They were made for exercises that require a rack, and you should only use them for exercises that require a rack. If you’re going to do bicep curls, you can do them anywhere. Don’t hold up someone who actually needs the rack for a squat workout.
5. Don’t stare: If she’s purposely flaunting it, you have a free pass, but don’t stare at people who get red in the face, make a little noise, or grit their teeth during a tough workout.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask for a spotter: Most people will be really cool about this and won’t hesitate to give you spot when you need it. Ask someone for a quick hand instead of putting yourself in a dangerous position.
7. Don’t be a jerk when someone asks you for a spot: I’ve only seen this once or twice in all the time I’ve spent in the gym. Help out other people and make the gym a great place to workout.
8. Don’t take what you don’t need: It’s annoying when you need a certain weight for a dumbbell on your next set and somebody else has 10 dumbbells lying around his bench and won’t share. Take what you need and put it back when you’re done.
9. Don’t get stingy: If you’re resting and someone else needs a piece of equipment, let them “work in”. If someone’s using something you need to use, ask them if you can work in and do a quick set while they rest. Be cool about it.
10. Don’t rack it wrong: We all hate it when we need a 5 pound plate from the rack but there’s a 45 pound on the same rack that’s blocking the 5’s. It only take a moment to put the weight on the right rack.
11. Don’t laugh: Encourage that little guy that’s struggling to bench 95 pounds. We all have to start somewhere.
I’m sure that there are some unspoken rules that I’ve left out. If there are any that need to be added, you can make them known in the comments section below.
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Tags: 101, gym, Weight lifting
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January 28th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
People that never give you space. I’m trying to get my workout in and some guy stands 2 inches away and start his workout. Annoying. Give an arms length at least.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Especially #4 is something that annoys me really much… But it kind of helped when I put up a sign on the power rack saying “bicep curls are for wussies”…
I’m actually serious. Now us “squatters” have it for ourselfes.
Really nice post Jason, keep it up :)
January 28th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Jonathan- Thanks for adding rule #12
Alex- Good job on that, and great way to mark your territory. I’m glad you used a sign instead of the other way to mark your grounds ;)
January 28th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
#13 – don’t walk in front of someone using the mirror — ever. They might be conceited, but it’s more likely that they are watching their form and assuring that they are doing the exercise correctly. In return, don’t stand 30′ away from the mirror and expect no one to walk in front of you. And if they do, definitely don’t yell at them.
#14 – don’t start your 60+ minute run on the treadmill at 5:15pm. Come in a little later, or early, so you’re not hogging a treadmill for everyone that wants to warm up.
There’s TONS more. Ugh, but you’ve covered the big ones (SQUAT RACK != CURLS is my biggest pet peeve)
January 29th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
#10 is a big problem at my new gym. But the situation has improved since I started re-racking the weights correctly on the racks by whatever station I happen to be using while complaining a bit loudly about idiots who can’t re-rack weights correctly.
and #15 – Don’t throw the weights around. If you’re finishing a heavy deadlift or doing power cleans, some clanging will occur. But there’s no reason to be causing a huge racket when re-racking your 25 pound dumbbells after doing a wicked set of hammer curls…
January 29th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Well put Jason. I hate when people curl in the squat rack! For God’s sake NO CURLING IN THE SQUAT RACK! It’s ridiculous when someone hogs a rack to curl 65 lbs when you’re ready to squat or row, especially when there’s dumbbells and EZ bars lying around all over for that.
I’ve seriously thought about talking to the gym manager and asking if I can put a sign near the racks lol, kudos to you Alex!
January 29th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Great Post Jason. I workout in a college gym and the re-racking thing is a big issue.
I have recently started in a workout regimen and I am always a little nervous about #11. I feel like a wimp sometimes next to the bulging guys lifting enormous amounts of weight.
Thanks for the post, I look forward to reading more.
January 30th, 2008 at 9:40 am
I always curl in the squat rack. If you dont have the guts to tell me to leave the squat rack then squating is the least of your problems
January 30th, 2008 at 11:22 am
A.J. – That’s like saying “I always drive 40 mph in the left hand lane. If you don’t have the guts to honk at me, then tough luck.” There are tons of perfectly good places to curl in any given gym, but usually only 2-3 places to safely squat. Why not just be a nice guy and keep those places clear for those who want to use them for their intended purpose?
January 30th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Lance- Totally understand how you feel, because I’m constantly in a battle against my own naturally thin build. I’ve found that alot of big guys will respect the fact that you’re trying to grow no matter how much you lift… just as long as your not trying to look tough by lifting more than you can handle. Keep it up.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:03 am
Yea AJ not only is there only a few places to safely squat, but it isn’t a matter of having “the guts” to tell a person there curling to leave since common courtesy renders one to have to wait there turn to use the equipment.
Seriously, why would you take up a rack to do curls? You can curl anywhere in the gym, why would you do it there? It’s people like you that force others to wait.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
this is telly awesome article.Thanks for sharing with us..
March 2nd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I think the proper idea for trainning in a commercial Gym is all about obviously building your strength but in a civil manner with respect for others there if you would like to get respect in return.
I train in a Gym where majority of the users are nice polite and respectable people from 13 year olds to 75,for some people I have noticed the bigger they get the more negative attitude they bring out against others, (not with everyone though). I train hard and Im getting bigger but Im chuffed about it from the inside and dont express it on others to offend.
Sometimes in a case you would think “what an Idiot” to a bigger guy acting foolish and arrogant, and have more respect about for a smaller guy who is trying hard and shows respect for you!
We need to work together in the Gym as a family of all nations in this sport and need to share the equipment being used in a civil manner,
KEEP TRAINING RESPECTFULLY !!
May 21st, 2009 at 9:45 am
This is the best site! got to read more
May 29th, 2009 at 12:43 am
wish the politicians would think like this… lol…
May 31st, 2009 at 10:35 am
Awesome info! I was honestly just thinking about something similar to this the other day so, it was almost “weird” when I ran across this. You would be surprised how many people simply have no idea when it comes to this kind of stuff. Anyway, thanks for getting this info out there and I’m sure I’m not the only one who appreciates you taking the time to post this for the masses.