The Ultimate Guide to Gym Etiquette

Posted December 11, 2014

These Are the Rules You Should Follow at the Gym

From yoga and Pilates to circuits and supersets, there’s no right or wrong way to get in shape. Whatever it takes to break a sweat, right? But let’s not leave that sweat on the mats (or that hair in the sink). From the locker room to the cardio zone, when it comes to gym etiquette, there are a few rules that everyone should follow—fitness karma points guaranteed.

The Weight Room

Respect the headphones. Singles feel free to mingle, but people who have their headphones in are basically putting up a big “do not disturb” sign. So, save the chit chat for later.

Wax on, wax off. Sure, we may have hit the gym to avoid doing housework, but wiping down machines is a chore with serious payoffs. (No one wants a side of germs and infectious skin diseases with their workout.)

Lift a finger. More chores, we know. But returning free weights, medicine balls, and other equipment to their proper places is more than courteous—it might burn a few extra calories too!

Mind the mirror. Leave the lip gloss application, ab adoration, and smizing for the boudoir. Gym mirrors are there for form and safety, so avoid crossing in front of Mr. Military Press mid-set.

Get in the zone. The right one, that is. From bicep curls to power cleans, there’s a proper place for everything at the gym—and trust us, you don’t want to learn the hard way.

Share! Sometimes there just aren’t enough toys for everyone. Let a stranger “work in.” And rather than standing idly by, maximize your time and efforts with a few killer supersets.

Easy does it. While every gym has its own policy, most prefer it to be earthquake-free. Avoid dropping heavy weights like hot cakes—and leave excessive grunting off the menu while you’re at it.

The Cardio Zone

Don’t let it all hang out. While it’s unlikely grandma’s showing up, Cardio Sculpt is a long ways from Woodstock. To keep things kosher, make sure those goodies are under wraps.

Give some breathing room. It’s no secret that cardio can get a little sticky-icky sometimes. So when there’s a choice of seven free treadmills, is it really necessary to cozy up right next to Ultra-Marathon Man? Scout out a more secluded treadmill instead.

Get mobile without the mobile phone. Chatting on a treadmill is a recipe for road kill. There are exceptions, including firing up fitness apps like Runkeeeper or Fitbit to stay on track. But otherwise, it’s safer (and less annoying) to keep your eyes …read more

Source:: Greatist

admin