If you are new to the fitness center scene, let me welcome you and congratulate you for taking steps to get "in shape." The gym regulars all know who you are. You have the new sneakers, matching gym pants and shirt that you received for Christmas. You are adorned in your new "Pink" yoga pants, "Pink" hoodie and your Beats headphones. It may be intimidating at first walking into a fitness center and learning to workout while not standing out. If you don't want to be "That Guy," follow these simple rules to avoid standing out and offending fellow gym goers;
ORIENTATION
Most fitness centers offer at least one complimentary session with a personal trainer. I encourage everyone, no matter your fitness level to take advantage of it! Many centers will offer a complimentary exercise program and orientation. You will be shown how to set up the cardio equipment and usually given a Nautilus or other machine circuit workout with a chart to track your progress. If you are not, simply ask the trainer to write down the exercises and demonstrate them for you. This will save a lot of embarrassing moments as you try to figure out how to use equipment and experiment with seat adjustments etc.
WIPE THE EQUIPMENT
Most every fitness facility will offer paper towel and disinfectant. After you use a piece of equipment, wipe up your cooties! If you are a "germaphobe", feel free to wipe the equipment down before and after... especially cardio equipment.
ROPER ATTIRE
This one can be tricky. Survey the land to see what other members are wearing. Most fitness centers will have a standard for clothing that is acceptable. Healthtrax has a poster in each locker room. It's always best to dress modest. If you're in a college gym, generally you can wear whatever you find on your dorm floor. However, in a center where the general public is present and it's coed... please refrain from just wearing sport bras, immodest pants, T-shirts that are cut exposing your ribs and chest, etc. We can appreciate you're proud of your body... save it to show to your loved one(s). Many people are self conscious and uncomfortable in the gym environment... please, let's not make it any more awkward. If you feel people are staring at you, chances are they are not admiring your body but more appalled at your arrogance, lack of modesty and consideration for others. Along the same line, deodorant is great... a lot of perfume and cologne not so much! I love when people come to me wearing gold chains, jewelry, perfume and all made up! I like to make them sweat and watch as they melt. Generally, sweat pants, T-shirt, modest yoga pants, tank tops with at least 2" straps generally are fine. If you wear shorts, yoga pants or tight tank tops with words across the butt... Don't be offended when people stare at your a$$ or chest! 'Nuff said!
IT'S NOT A NIGHTCLUB
The gym is an excellent place to meet people and even a potential girl/boyfriend. But please, do not harass the members of the opposite sex! Most people join the fitness center to workout... respect that. Don't creep people out by staring! Every gym has "That Guy" who preys on the member of the opposite sex. Don't do it! Cell Phones... Most fitness centers have a policy regarding cell phone usage. Healthtrax limits use to the lobby area. I understand cell phones are used for music. I personally use I heart radio or Amazon Music. I also understand we may receive a call during our workouts. Please take the call to the appropriate area. Nothing is more annoying than that person on the treadmill next to you or the person tying up a piece of equipment because they are talking on their phone and disrupting others.
LOCKER ROOM
Dear God in heaven people... Put some clothes on! I avoid the locker room at all costs! Spend any amount of time in a gym locker room and you will walk out with horror stories and be scarred for life! There were some days I wanted to go home and pour bleach in my eyes to try to erase some of the images. Why do people want to ask me questions about nutrition or an exercise when they are naked? Even worse, I have had on more than one occasion, someone do the Captain totally naked while asking me a question! (If you don't know what the Captain is, ask just about any man or go to a liquor store and look at a bottle of Captain Morgan.) It's usually the older crowd who are guilty of this. Wrap a towel around your body or get dressed before walking around the locker room or engaging in conversation. I'm told the women's locker room is just a bad!
TYING UP EQUIPMENT
Keep in mind other people may want to use the equipment you are using. If the gym is busy, you may not want to choose to do a circuit workout using more than one piece of equipment. I can't tell you how many times I've went to use a piece of equipment only to have someone yell from across the weight, "Hey I'm using that." My reply, "Move your feet, lose your seat!" If you are traveling in a herd with your buddies and working out (young people are known to do this), please move quickly through your sets. Don't sit around showing each other pics or you tube videos!
BLOCKING EQUIPMENT
The other day I was doing seated rear lateral raises with my workout partner Melissa. Three guys were at the dumbbell rack. One guy walked in front of us, grabbed a set of dumbbells and proceeded to do dumbbell curls while sticking his butt in our faces! Most people violate this rule more out of ignorance rather than malice. Do not stand in front of the dumbbell rack. Take the dumbbells and move back so others can get at the dumbbells as well. If you are working on a piece of equipment, be sure not to spread your stuff out or lean on another piece of equipment you're not using. Along the same line, try not to walk in front of someone or block the mirror while they are doing a set. The mirrors are used to ensure your form is correct. Don't stand in front of someone who has already established a spot.
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
There is a guy who every morning, does the exact same workout. He takes 4 sets of dumbbells and lays them on the floor by a bench. He spreads the dumbbells out, has his two small water bottles with some red juice, his towel, his notebook and continues to go through his workout for at lease 30 minutes. It looks like he's having a friggen yard sale! He ties up the dumbbells, blocks the dumbbell rack, and takes up too much real estate in the crowded gym. The crazy thing is, he's really a nice guy... just not sensitive to the needs of others around him.
BE AWARE OF YOUR SOUND LEVEL
We can see you... We don't need to hear you! Anyone who has been in a gym will automatically be able to recall someone who is a loud talker. There's always that one person you can hear all the way on the other side of the gym looking to be seen and heard!. It's important for them to be sure EVERYONE can hear how much they know about fitness and life in general! Whether it be talking to your friend on the treadmill next to you or working with the weights, we don't want to hear your conversations! Regarding music... If I can hear your music a few machines over, you may either have it too loud or need to invest in some better headphones. I know I just made myself sound like an old cranky man, but hey... wait a minute... I AM! Turn your music down! You'll go deaf listening to it that loud! Maybe that's why some people are loud talkers... they are actually going deaf from listening to their music too loud! ha ha
DROPPING OR SLAMMING THE WEIGHTS
Nothing screams, "HEY LOOK AT ME... I'M AN INSECURE PERSON AND WANT EVERYONE TO NOTICE ME" like dropping and slamming weights! "If you can't put it down, don't pick it up!" It will also damage the equipment and warp the bars.
LEAVING WEIGHTS LOADED ON THE EQUIPMENT
Want to stand out as a newbie? Leave your weights on the bars and don't put dumbbells or equipment away! Yes, we see you lifting all that weight, you don't have to leave it as a trophy for us all to see and clean up after you! I personally find it annoying when a female wants to use the leg press and has to strip a bunch of 45 lb plates off it. If you see this happen, be kind and help strip the weight... we are all in this together!
SINGING, DANCING, FLEXING AND CHECKING YOUR BUTT OUT IN THE MIRROR
All bad etiquette! Again, this isn't a nightclub! If you want to look like a rookie who doesn't take their workouts serious, grunt a little bit, dance between sets as you listen to your music too loud, give yourself a flex in the mirror and take a selfie! It happens people! I've seen it happen many times in various gyms. This is guaranteed to draw attention to yourself. Unfortunately, it will be negative attention in the gym environment.
So there you have it. Avoid violating these rules and you should blend in with the rest of the veteran gym goers. . If you still feel uncomfortable in the fitness center, consider working with a Certified Personal Trainer or a workout partner. Fitness centers will be crowded for the next month or so. Being courteous and aware of others in the center, will allow for a more pleasant workout experience everyone.