The tough love guide to gym etiquette ....IN PLAIN LANGUAGE

We’ve all been there before. We have all met them before. Maybe we have even been them at some point. Those people that seem to have absolutely no regard for anyone else expect themselves. But here’s the quick guide to gym etiquette in a bid to assist in minimizing “gym rage”.

By Suzana Talevski

·         Lack of personal hygiene

It really isn’t too difficult to find your way to the deodorant aisle in the supermarket. Familiarise yourself with its location pronto. Another big one here is the expelling of certain other body odours. Especially in a group fitness room where there may be minimal chance for escape by those around you…particularly for the instructor on stage who may be at the point where they need an oxygen mask.

 

·         Wipe off the equipment you just used

Although you may believe your sweat is a golden shine of fitness envy, the simple truth is most people won’t see it that way. Newsflash: No-one wants to bath in your fluids. It takes 10 seconds to wipe down the machine and keep the place a bacteria free zone.

 

·         Personal space

There is absolutely no reason at all to stand so close to someone that it looks like you are about to do the waltz together. If someone “pinched” your “space”, it really isn’t the end of the world. There have not been any scientific studies to prove that standing in “your” space will get you fitter, stronger, slimmer, etc.

·         Put your phone away

There is no reason for you to be staring at your phone for the duration of your work out. Unless it’s a medical pager or similar, there is every chance that you will survive the next 45-60 minutes with-out it. Be strong, you know it’s a fight you can win.

·         Dumping of equipment followed by loud grunting and then walking away

Breaking news: There is no magical gym fairy that will come and put all your weights back after you have used them. I’m sorry but they don’t exist. Do the right thing and do it yourself. Also, dumping your weights as hard as you can and grunting like you are doing a wild boar impersonation doesn’t necessarily demonstrate strength. Sometimes it just means the weights you are lifting may be too much for you and you’re on your way to injury-ville.

 

Yes we can go on and on but those who the top five results after an extensive survey (about as extensive as its gets when asking for input on Face Book)

Share this with your friends and let’s all have a happy and productive time at the gym.

 

Follow me on Twitter @SuzanaTalevski

 

Until next time,

Suzana xo