All of us want to have a nice, happy and productive time at the gym, and good gym etiquette is at the crux of having a good experience while working out.
A gym is a place of discipline where we sculpt our bodies, chase fitness goals, and occasionally witness some of the strangest human behaviours – from leaving the weights everywhere to being naked in the changing rooms.
Let’s look at the unspoken rules of the gym so that you don’t get branded as a gym pariah, or worse, a gym weirdo who everyone avoids.
Gym etiquette commandments
- Thou shalt not hog the equipment
The gym floor is a bustling hub of activity, and sharing is the name of the game. Be mindful of your time on machines, benches, or racks, and allow others to work out if they ask politely. “Hogging equipment can create a negative gym culture where gym members are not respectful of other people’s time and energy,” says Sudam Shelar, a certified fitness expert, Sujok acupuncture therapist and samwondong master from Mumbai. “Use a single machine at a time. If you are doing a couple of sets on a machine or weights and you have a very short rest in between, then it is okay, but with longer rest time, be open to sharing.”
- Thou shalt not leave thy weights unattended
Spare your fellow exercisers the frustration of searching for a needle in a haystack of iron. “After finishing, put weights back on the rack, or even better, wipe down your equipment,” says Shelar.
- Thou shalt not engage in unsolicited personal training
While your enthusiasm for fitness is admirable, keep in mind to respect the personal space and autonomy of others, maintaining good gym etiquette. “Don’t tell anyone or any other gym members what to do and what to not regarding exercise or medicines,” says Shelar. Unless someone explicitly asks for your advice or assistance, it’s best to let them find their own path.
- Thou shalt keep thy grunts in check
We all love a good, challenging workout, but excessive grunting, moaning or vocal expressions of effort can disrupt the harmony of the gym. Let your muscles do the talking, not the vocal cords.
- Thou shalt not engage in excessive socializing
The gym is a social playground where like-minded individuals gather, but remember that everyone has their own workout agenda. Engage in friendly banter and be open to new connections but be mindful of the time you spend chatting. Respect that some people are there solely to focus on their exercise routine. “All the gym staff should be articulate and polite with other members and their own staff. Always respect everyone, talk politely but maintain discipline in the gym,” says Shelar.
- Thou shalt maintain personal hygiene:
A fresh-smelling gym is a happy gym. Please do your part by arriving at the gym with good personal hygiene — a gym etiquette you can’t be without. “You must ensure that neither you nor your apparel is smelling bad,” says Goutam Dev Mohanty, nutritionist, fitness coach and owner of Madbody Fitness Studio, Bengaluru. “So, always be neat and clean. If you sweat a lot, ensure that you carry an extra T-shirt to change into when needed.”
- Thou shalt be aware of personal space
The gym floor can get crowded, so it’s crucial to respect the personal space of others. Give each other a generous buffer zone to avoid accidental collisions and to allow for focused training. “I’ve seen people hijack the mirror view of somebody else. People always prefer to look in the mirror when they are working out. It may be for posture or just to feel good. But if you stand in the way, it can be very disturbing and annoying.”
- Thou shalt gaze at fellow members
Keep your eyes on your growing muscles and not on the people at the gym. “People staring at others creates an uncomfortable environment for them,” says Mohanty.
- Thou shalt drop the weights
“Check whether you are allowed to drop weights. People who deadlift are often seen dumping the weights. It may be a part of their regime or routine, but the gym is a public place. We need to check whether we are allowed to drop the weights,” says Mohanty.
- Thou shalt use thy headphone with care
Blasting your favourite tunes may disrupt the serene atmosphere of the gym and is certainly not good gym etiquette. Music is the soundtrack to our workouts, and headphones are our faithful companions. However, be mindful of the volume. “Use headphones only for yourself to listen to music. If you are listening to music, please keep your tunes to yourself,” says Shelar.
