Gym etiquette

[LiquidMercury16]

Ok so this is for all those new at lifting, and those who really just never learned properly.

In the gym there is an unspoken code called gym etiquette. This is how you are supposed to behave in a gym. Although things differ at every gym to a degree there are a set of guidelines that you would be better of following so as not to irritate people who are bigger, stronger, and know more about lifting than you do.

1. Don't do curls in the squat rack. This is the most irritating thing ever when I come in and see someone barely able to curl 80 lbs and doing them in the squat rack. The squat rack is there for people to squat in, not for you to rest your weights down on the frame because you're too tired to pick up off the floor. In other words do not, ever in a million years, do curls or other isometric type work in a squat rack.

2. Don't be yelling/grunting/screaming. Not only do you sound about as retarded as venus williams does on a tennis court but it breaks other peoples' concentration.

3. Rack your weights. If you use something, put it up. Generally heavier weights on the bottom and outside of racks, lighter weights go higher up.

4. Wipe the equipment down. No one wants to sit on something or lay on something after you have sweated all over it. Wipe it down! Not to mention you should probably wipe it down when you get on something because staff infections are a common thing in gyms.

5. Don't hijack someones equipment/area while they go get some water. If you see someone on some stuff and they haven't racked the weights on it, chances are they are coming back for another set. Even if you see them on something else they could be supersetting the exercises so don't steal their equipment. Go up and ask them if they are done or if you can work in. Don't ask to work in if you are lifting significantly less weight then them.

6. Do not be on your cell phone or even bring your cell phone into the workout area. It is extremely annoying to people to hear cell phones going off while working out. It breaks concentration and it's even more irritating seeing people on the phone while working out. You came to the gym to workout, not to have social hour.

7. Don't sit around talking to people if you have equipment tied up. If you're on a bench and the gym is busy chances are someone else wants that bench when you're done. If you go around talking to a ton of people you might not have that bench when you get back, not to mention you make alot of people wait.

8. Don't drop the weights. Of course everyone lifts to failure sometimes and just can't hit that last rep and ends up dropping the weight. It happens. But if you are consistantly doing this everytime it's just obnoxious. Get stronger, get bigger, and be able to hold onto the weight long enough to set it down. Also you might break the floor. I'm not saying you have to lightly place it down but at least slow it down enough so it doesn't just crash into the floor.

9. Don't pawn off advice to people unless they ask for it no matter how bad it might be, how ugly, or how ridiculous they look. People get more irritated than anything. I have this problem sometimes where I just have to say something to moronic people, i.e. guy in the squat rack squatting with way too much weight for him and only doing partial reps. It's not a squat if it's partial. I see this guy everytime I'm at the gym and it irritates the heck out of me and I want to be like look your moron you're not that strong do it right and you can get a 5th of that. (Sorry had to rant). Point is people don't want advice.

10. Don't load up a ton of weight and have bad technique. You look retarded, you're not getting nearly the gains you would if you'd do correct technique, and you irritate people like me.

So this is just a quick guide to behavior in the gym. I've been guilty of pretty much all of this at one point or another in my lifting career so don't think I'm just ranting at newbs in the gym. Basically be respectful in the gym and do things right.

[tiplax]

haha, great advice and all true. I have a couple:
11) When you listen to music, don't blast it so loud that other people can hear it.
12) Don't strech by the racks/machines in people's way. strech in the locker room

[LiquidMercury16]

eh I stretch in the gym, if you bend over in the lockeroom and all....

[ajmassaro157]

=
9. Don't pawn off advice to people unless they ask for it no matter how bad it might be, how ugly, or how ridiculous they look. People get more irritated than anything. I have this problem sometimes where I just have to say something to moronic people, i.e. guy in the squat rack squatting with way too much weight for him and only doing partial reps. It's not a squat if it's partial. I see this guy everytime I'm at the gym and it irritates the heck out of me and I want to be like look your moron you're not that strong do it right and you can get a 5th of that. (Sorry had to rant). Point is people don't want advice.


I don't really agree with this. I've received plenty of advice from people at my gym and for the most part, this knowledge really benefitted me. I don't see how you could go about your business without at least letting the guy, who thinks he knows how to squat, know that his form sucks and should be tweaked to prevent injury and optimize gains.

But then again, that's just my opinion.

Although I do see your point in that most people are close-minded and will refuse to listen to you.

[LiquidMercury16]

Better to wait and have someone ask for the advice than give it. In my experience, most people are unwilling to listen. Not to mention your advice may be crap even though you think it's not. I've had kids try to give me advice before and it's been completely bad and wrong advice and I don't listen to it.

[smidjen92]

Is it bad etiquette to karate-chop people in the stomach as they lift? (Perferably with dumbell press)

[LiquidMercury16]

nah that's just funny

[chucktownattack]

eh I stretch in the gym, if you bend over in the lockeroom and all....

Hahaha, bend over and spell run...

The worst is when ladies blast awful soul music.

EDIT: The worst was my first time in the gym. The lady on the treadmill next to me was blasting "It's raining men." and "YMCA".

[LiquidMercury16]

yah that's definitely pretty miserable

[Lax.53]

lmao. thanks for the heads up. I bet you throw up some mad weight!!!11one

[BGun]

I agree with most of these rules. And they are definantly important to know when you go into a gym. One to add, is to always ask if someone is done with something/some area before you use it. They might be coming back, and even if they aren't coming back, they will at least thank you for being polite.

[LiquidMercury16]

Dude why are you just stalking around threads that I've posted on/created and seem to try and rise my ire? Anyone can go on a thread and bash other people. Why not add something constructive. And yes as far as throwing up decent amount of weight I like to think can. Am I ridiculously strong? No. Do I hold my own, yes. Stay in cali, and keep your hippie thoughts to yourself (see not so hard to be negative, why not contribute instead of troll).

[LiquidMercury16]

that was directed towards lax.53

[Lax.53]

Dude why are you just stalking around threads that I've posted on/created and seem to try and rise my ire? Anyone can go on a thread and bash other people. Why not add something constructive. And yes as far as throwing up decent amount of weight I like to think can. Am I ridiculously strong? No. Do I hold my own, yes. Stay in cali, and keep your hippie thoughts to yourself (see not so hard to be negative, why not contribute instead of troll).

not trolling at all. been a member here for a while and it bugs the **** outta me to see posts like these. WHo do you think you are, everyone is different, different bodies, different lifting/training circumstances...

not everyone works out in a 24 hour.

[LiquidMercury16]

obviously not everyone works out everyday I was posting some decent gym etiquette which had nothing to do with people's lifting routines or anything. I don't work out 24 hours either and wouldn't, that'd be overtraining. I just see alot of kids these days that do not know proper gym etiquette, is it that bad to offer some insight into it?

[Lax.53]

i said IN a 24 hour. like 24 hour fitness.

and no a little etiquitte advice isnt bad, however a lot of that information would not apply to everyone, everyone is different, we all have goals and routines so you posting something like this is like telling people how they should lift.

[LiquidMercury16]

If anything, this thread is geared more towards people who can't lift at a 24 hour fitness where it's usually less crowded. Where have I told anyone how to lift? I shared some basic gym pleasantries. Wiping down equip, not ganking other people's equipment, not being on cell phones, deracking? I mean all that is just being polite in a gym. The only thing that may be affecting a persons lifting would be doing curls in a squat rack which is just retarded considering very few people are lifting heavy enough that they should need the assistance of a rack to protect them. I know I sure as heck can't curl heavy enough to warrant using a rack. So please tell me, where is something in my post to tell people how to lift?

[Cburylax]

Don't let this thread get out of control. This thread has a lot of value so lets try to keep it on course.

[Lax.53]

Don't let this thread get out of control. This thread has a lot of value so lets try to keep it on course.

of course, nothing getting out of control, just two level headed members having some conversation.

[LiquidMercury16]

indeed, even if one is being a pain haha (just messin with ya 53)

[Lax.53]

indeed, even if one is being a pain haha (just messin with ya 53)

yeah i know, for some reason CB keeps warning me too, now i have two warnings, did my post come off as antagonistic? I was just asking your certs or if your info was from something you heard. How is that antagnoizing you? My apologies if it came off that way.

[LiquidMercury16]

your first couple of posts were quite antagonistic

[Lax n piemonade]

13. don't fart near a machine/rack/bench. go somewhere else
14. if ur gonna wear spandex shorts use them underneath a pair of basketball shorts thanks

[LiquidMercury16]

haha so true on 14, and great avatar btw.
15. if you do not have a ton of muscle don't wear sleeveless shirts thinking you have muscle to show off

[Cburylax]

16. Wear deodorant

[LiquidMercury16]

17. don't spray a can of axe and bring a plethora of fumes into the gym with you

[Diesel4958]

18. Don't rest on machine, and or bench etc. I could be doing a set while said person is resting. It pisses me off...

[LiquidMercury16]

well if they are resting between sets, and they are lifting alot more or alot less than you it's irritating to have to rack a ton of weight for someone who asks to work in with me but can lift half of what I can. So generally I'm gonna plomp down and rest away instead of having people work in unless I know them and know their strength/know they will help change weights out.

[DB6]

^ I completely agree. I was doing leg curls the other day and got up to fil out my lifting card between sets and this old lady jacked the machine. I told her I was in the middle of my workout on there and still had two more sets. She said that while I'm resting I should share the equipment. I couldn't argue with that so I let her use it, but she readjusted the machine that I had set perfect for me, dropped the weight down about 100 pounds, and she took forever to do everything. By the time I got the machine back it had already been ten minutes. It completely messed up the exercise I had on the leg curls cuz I had to wait 10 minutes and I wasn't fatigued anymore by the time I got the machine back. I was pissed.

[LiquidMercury16]

you should of push her down some stairs

[ReLaxin 13]

19. Don't stare at someone in the middle of a set. Don't stare at their reflection in a mirror while they are in the middle of a set. Pretty much don't stare at someone what-so-ever.

[pantherLax]

9. Don't pawn off advice to people unless they ask for it no matter how bad it might be, how ugly, or how ridiculous they look. People get more irritated than anything. I have this problem sometimes where I just have to say something to moronic people, i.e. guy in the squat rack squatting with way too much weight for him and only doing partial reps. It's not a squat if it's partial. I see this guy everytime I'm at the gym and it irritates the heck out of me and I want to be like look your moron you're not that strong do it right and you can get a 5th of that. (Sorry had to rant). Point is people don't want advice.

I really dont agree at all with this. Although some people are really ignorant and stubborn if you are trying to help someone its really only there loss if they dont listen. And after they hear your advice its up to them to decide whether its good advice or not.
I've been lifting for maybe a year or two and i've been helped out alot at the gym and when people come and try to help me out its really only benefited me. And how can you not appreciate someone just trying to help you even if its annoying?

[Diesel4958]

I really dont agree at all with this. Although some people are really ignorant and stubborn if you are trying to help someone its really only there loss if they dont listen. And after they hear your advice its up to them to decide whether its good advice or not.
I've been lifting for maybe a year or two and i've been helped out alot at the gym and when people come and try to help me out its really only benefited me. And how can you not appreciate someone just trying to help you even if its annoying?

Liquid has a good point though. Which is stupid people, will always be stupid. Very few people will actually take your advice, and in most cases it's a waste of breath and time. Unless you're in a school weight room and youre trying to help out some little frosh that wants to get big, they'l listen but not many other people will. I love when people who are lifting less than me try to give me advice, and or give me advice I know for a fact is wrong, Not. . . Keep it to yourself. That simple. I only intervene when injury is iminant, and I never tell people anything, I suggest it. Remember half the people in your everyday gym cant do a dumbell curl correctly, so even when you do get advice take caution, and research.

[LiquidMercury16]

19. Don't stare at someone in the middle of a set. Don't stare at their reflection in a mirror while they are in the middle of a set. Pretty much don't stare at someone what-so-ever.

Oh i will stare. If it is a good lookin girl and she makes eye contact plenty than after I'm done lifting or it looks like she is done I'll go talk to her and maybe ask for her number. If I can get a date at the gym, I won't complain because I know what she looks like in workout clothes and that she cares about her body. I'll stare at someone if they are doing completely miserable technique in attempts to get their attention and have them ask for my help.

[ReLaxin 13]

Oh i will stare. If it is a good lookin girl and she makes eye contact plenty than after I'm done lifting or it looks like she is done I'll go talk to her and maybe ask for her number. If I can get a date at the gym, I won't complain because I know what she looks like in workout clothes and that she cares about her body. I'll stare at someone if they are doing completely miserable technique in attempts to get their attention and have them ask for my help.

I meant dudes staring at dudes.

[LiquidMercury16]

Why would I want to stare at a dude....you callin me a homo? I'll rip your arms out and beat ya to death with them for a comment like that hahaha jk but not really

[the wister]

20. Never spot unless spoken to. I work out alone because 1-I can't concentrate with someone else talking to me and 2-People want to start assisting you the minute you hit your sticking point, how is that supposed to help me? Now if the person is about to kill themselves, it may be a different story....
21. If you're acting as a guest spotter, ie, you don't know the person, don't throw motivational quotes at them. A complementing, 'Good rep' or 'That was all you there' after a rep is fine and dandy, but if you don't know me, I'd rather you not be spitting in my ear "Get that! Come on! Push it!", I just don't know you well enough yet, we just started this relationship
22. An extension of #3, if you are done with a pair of dumbells, put them back, and make sure they're together. There's is nothing more frustrating than walking around a rack for 5 minutes looking for the other match when you're trying to lift. Unless you see someone pyramiding with 3 sets of dumbells that they're obviously not using, that might be more frustrating. I really don't see how getting up to return some weights to a rack 2.5 feet behind you is really going to kill your routine.
23. It's called underarmor for a reason

[buckslax]

17. don't spray a can of axe and bring a plethora of fumes into the gym with you


im in agreement with this one we have a real problem with that in our weight room i can't stand it!!!!

[buckslax]

20. Never spot unless spoken to. I work out alone because 1-I can't concentrate with someone else talking to me and 2-People want to start assisting you the minute you hit your sticking point, how is that supposed to help me? Now if the person is about to kill themselves, it may be a different story....
21. If you're acting as a guest spotter, ie, you don't know the person, don't throw motivational quotes at them. A complementing, 'Good rep' or 'That was all you there' after a rep is fine and dandy, but if you don't know me, I'd rather you not be spitting in my ear "Get that! Come on! Push it!", I just don't know you well enough yet, we just started this relationship
22. An extension of #3, if you are done with a pair of dumbells, put them back, and make sure they're together. There's is nothing more frustrating than walking around a rack for 5 minutes looking for the other match when you're trying to lift. Unless you see someone pyramiding with 3 sets of dumbells that they're obviously not using, that might be more frustrating. I really don't see how getting up to return some weights to a rack 2.5 feet behind you is really going to kill your routine.
23. It's called underarmor for a reason





accually i wouldn't mind if that guest spotter was a hot girl talking in my ear... i agree with liquid to the gym is a great place to pick up numbers and/or dates...oh and you deffinly have it right with the under armor statement same with the sleveless shirts liquid talked about if you don't have any don't just act like you do

[LiquidMercury16]

I think I just despise fat people wearing sleeveless shirts. I mean my arms aren't huge (16") but they are big enough and they are cut, not just some massive blob. The sleeveless shirt irritates me more with fat people who have a blob for an arm than a skinny kid who just doesn't have an arm.

[the wister]

I don't mind that much when overweight individuals wear sleeveless shirts (they sweat more than us!), It's the guys who are cut up and decide to show it off by wearing sleeveless shirts that are cut down the the seams. It grosses me out when I can see nipples popping out of another guys shirt.

[LiquidMercury16]

yah that is true too I suppose. I wear practice penny with a short sleeve underarmor underneath usually because I can't stand wearing shirts because they get caught up in my pits or just stick to me cause I sweat alot.

[Show'emTheNumba]

I think some one might have mentioned this, but dont scream or yell while doing reps.

I have a guy at my gym that breathes so loud when he benches it sounds like he is giving birth to twins.

[ShermanLax607]

Sorry for the bump but I couldn't resist.

24) After doing curls, do not stand right in front of the mirror and flex your bicep. No, they are not big, and they haven't gotten any bigger since you flexed before the last set. Just stop.

25) Don't stare down a person, and then choose your weights according to him. You aren't showing off, you're just being a tool.

26) Don't bring a friend with you(who is also not as big) just so you can pressure them into trying to bench as much as you do, and then calling them a "weakling" (or something else) and telling them that there are numerous women in this location who can do more weight than you. Of course, they do this just to feel better about themselves.

[Lax4life528]

27) Don't stack the bar with 20 5lb weights because you are too lazy to replace the weights between sets. Other people need to use them and you just look stupid.

[titans 43]

dont shadow box in the mirror, you look like a tool
i hate ppl who do that

[spyopticgoggles]

dont talk to a person at all during a set, it can wait the minute or two until after their set (unless its a life or death situation of course).

[the wister]

27) Don't stack the bar with 20 5lb weights because you are too lazy to replace the weights between sets. Other people need to use them and you just look stupid.Hmmmm, I think I've done this one time with 25's while deadlifting because it helps me get lower.

[lax-crazy]

Liquid has a good point though. Which is stupid people, will always be stupid. Very few people will actually take your advice, and in most cases it's a waste of breath and time. Unless you're in a school weight room and youre trying to help out some little frosh that wants to get big, they'l listen but not many other people will. I love when people who are lifting less than me try to give me advice, and or give me advice I know for a fact is wrong, Not. . . Keep it to yourself. That simple. I only intervene when injury is iminant, and I never tell people anything, I suggest it. Remember half the people in your everyday gym cant do a dumbell curl correctly, so even when you do get advice take caution, and research.

I agree, there is a guy at my school weight room who benchs 260 and everytime he does it his back is like a rainbow. I'm talking at least 8-12inchs off the bench. I told him once that it's really really bad for your back. And he looked at me like I was stupid... I am still waiting to hear his back snap mid set.

I mean if you are doing a set and it's just bad form I won't say anything, but if it is potentialy dangerous, I will throw in my two cents.

[ShermanLax607]

28) Don't stand by the water fountain(blocking it of course) and converse with your 'meethead' buddies, so other people cannot get a drink. You are just full of yourself, stop being so egotistical and move out of the way so we can get a drink. You are not cool, you are just wasting others times and being a jerk.

[HeadHeartHustle]

haha so true on 14, and great avatar btw.
15. if you do not have a ton of muscle don't wear sleeveless shirts thinking you have muscle to show off

i wear sleeveless shirts. Im pretty small too. like 140 lbs. but i dont wear them to show off, or think im "jacked" I just hate how sleeves get in my way. I think you mentioned that somewhere in the thread.

[Enjoi LAX]

I got one.

28.) Don't come in the gym unless you plan on working out. Every month or so a group of about 7-8 kids comes in the gym and they all just sit on all the bench presses. They just sit around and talk loudly. If you want to chat do it on the basketball court or in the lobby but don't just sit on a peice of equipment unless you intend on using it.

[Dub C lacrosse]

Also, i just saw some kid do this at the gym. DONT STAY ON THE MACHINE BETWEEN SETS! Leave the machine between sets. Allow other people to share the machine an equal amount as you. If your just chilling there hogging the machine not doing anything, your wasting other peoples time as well as your own.

[lacrossestud08]

Also, i just saw some kid do this at the gym. DONT STAY ON THE MACHINE BETWEEN SETS! Leave the machine between sets. Allow other people to share the machine an equal amount as you. If your just chilling there hogging the machine not doing anything, your wasting other peoples time as well as your own.

What about this, you're on a 3 minute rest period for your last set and you stay on/around the bench/machine you're at. After the 3 minutes you do your last set, derack it, and walk away. Or, you leave the area and come back and some guy moved in to do 10 sets so instead of waiting 3 minutes, doing a set and leaving, now you have to wait 20.

...that's just one thing I don't agree on in terms of etiquette, most people I've encountered at the gym have either clearly been able to tell I was just waiting for my next/last set or if I was walking away to get a drink of water, etc. they've asked if I was done.

[ShermanLax607]

I got one.

28.) Don't come in the gym unless you plan on working out. Every month or so a group of about 7-8 kids comes in the gym and they all just sit on all the bench presses. They just sit around and talk loudly. If you want to chat do it on the basketball court or in the lobby but don't just sit on a peice of equipment unless you intend on using it.


I know man right? This kid who I go to school with who I do not particularly care for comes to the gym like 3 times a week, sometimes with a couple buddies. He just stand around and flexes in the mirror. Then he goes over and does like 3 sets of tricep cable pull down and struts around like he's the man.

Kids like that just piss me off.

[the wister]

Haha, no way he annoys you as much as the 14yr old cross country runner who used to come in my senior year and workout without a shirt. I have to say, it was one of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen, maybe 5'2"/5'3" 97lbs, having the most deer-in-the-headlights look on his face, like, he wasn't even trying to stare people down, just taking his shirt off. It was awkward, almost obscene, like, 'What are you doing here half naked? Where you one of those kids who runs around your house nude all the time and can't get enough of it?"

[LocoMotive16]

Haha, no way he annoys you as much as the 14yr old cross country runner who used to come in my senior year and workout without a shirt. I have to say, it was one of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen, maybe 5'2"/5'3" 97lbs, having the most deer-in-the-headlights look on his face, like, he wasn't even trying to stare people down, just taking his shirt off. It was awkward, almost obscene, like, 'What are you doing here half naked? Where you one of those kids who runs around your house nude all the time and can't get enough of it?"

Maybe he really thought he was huge....

As to add to the list, I experienced this yesterday.....

Being in a gym, deadlifting heavy and having some skinny cardio obsessive old guy who only does bosu ball training, coming over and telling me that I'm being too loud when I set the weights down. I proceeded to tell him to try and "set" 495 lbs down quietly or to better yet, be able to lift that much. He walked away with a not so happy face....

[ShermanLax607]

Also to add to LM's post, NO CURLING IN THE BENCH RACKS. Please, we are benching. And at that, much more than you are curling. There are numerous other places to do curls, like dumbbells or whatever you want. Just don't curl 85 pounds in the bench rack, and take it up for 15 minutes please! There are only 2 free-weight bench racks where I work out and they are valuable property. Then again, there are two pairs of dumbbells up through 55 pounds in each hand, go use them.

[cheesehead]

29) when spotting somebody who's benching, don't stand too close to the bench, it causes a very uncomfortable situation for the bencher