Today’s article comes from guest author Cameron Stache. If you are paying attention to the free WorldFitnessNetwork forums, you have no doubt gotten familiar with Cameron. But what you might not know is that Cameron currently works as a Fitness Coach/ Assistant Fitness Manager at the Rush Fitness Complex in Greensboro, NC. He’s pursuing his Exercise Science degree and plans to use this degree to either work at a large college and be a strength and conditioning coach, or go into ergonomics. If you are interested in brands Cameron supports, check out http://cstache.qhealthzone.com .
- Practice good gym etiquette and you’ll avoid the Bad Manners Nanny
We all have to share. Sometimes it’s time, sometimes it’s money, and other times it’s just plain space. It’s for this reason we have rules; although, occasionally they go by another fancy word… “etiquette.” There are many different types of etiquette; restaurant etiquette, workplace etiquette, and yes there is workout etiquette.
Hey, I’m not going to lie to you, I like our Geico friends “The Cavemen.” Sometimes it’s even fun to act like one myself. Society, however, doesn’t feel so kindly about my friends for the most part. Etiquette ensures that we don’t strangle each other with our socks.
If you read the super fine print on the back of your gym contract then you probably saw some of the common rules on the back. Most of them aren’t a big secret and are listed on every home page of every bodybuilding/gym website known to man. There are however, a few little known rules that even the most active gym goer may not know about. Not only do I work out in a gym but I work and manage at a gym and train people – I know what it’s like, from multiple angles, when people don’t follow these basic rules. The term “basic” implies that the rule will be found in pretty much every gym. Some aren’t as clear-cut. Planet Fitness for example has a “no grunting” policy. I personally think if you aren’t grunting you aren’t working hard enough. Whereas in a football training facility, for example, you hear screams. In that scenario it just depends on location; not quite a “basic” rule then.
I have taken the liberty of enlightening you with most of these rules but, I need to state a few things first. Not everyone has always been a member of a gym, so I will assume that you are a brand new, first day member of a health club. Also, I am aware that if you looked you WILL be able to find more things than I point out. I’m not trying to write a book, just an article. So if you’ve got some more to add, jump into the Comments section. And lastly, I know what it’s like to just be told “what” and not “why” so I will give you the point-of-view I have with some of these too. I understand your reasons, I’ve been there. Just please don’t take anything personal if you are the person I am describing. There is no hostility being thrown, so don’t take it as such. Furthermore, if I DO offend you, it’s probably because you needed to hear it anyways…
Cameron’s Basic Gym Etiquette Rules
(If you see a “more” link, click it to read the rest.) (more…)
