Gym Etiquette

A few days ago, I walked into the gym to train and the area I use was littered with mats, kettlebells, medicine balls and all sorts of equipment and not a soul was around and it infuriated me. When you workout at a gym, there needs to be a level of respect that you have for both yourself and for other members. We share this space and this equipment. This incident made me think about gym etiquette as a whole, and I thought I would write a little bit here about the unspoken rules of the gym.

Rack your weights

After using dumbbells, replace them in the proper place. It is quite frustrating to have to hunt for a particular weight only to eventually find it on the opposite end of the rack, or lying in wait to trip someone up, on the floor near an abandoned bench. I have no doubt that every one of us would like to find the dumbbell we need specifically where it is meant to be, and not have to venture on an expedition in order to locate it.

Barbells should have their plates removed and replaced in their storage areas so that the next person is free to load them however they require.

Clean off and replace equipment after use

As above, all equipment used should be returned to its correct place after use. Benches and mats, and any other equipment that you may have been sitting or lying on should be wiped down. This has always been true, but in these times they are more relevant than ever. I cannot imagine that any of us wish to be confronted with a bench or a mat that is soaked in someone else’s sweat – and so the same applies to us, to leave behind a clean environment.

Mirrors

There seems to be some misunderstanding as to why gyms are kitted out with mirrored walls and it sometimes appears that they are there purely for preening or posing, they are not. While posing is of importance to those athletes who are involved in bodybuilding, mirrors serve another important function and that is to check your form.

I use the mirror to check that my shoulders are staying down and I am not hunching them up toward my ears when I get tired because I know this is a habit of mine, I track the position of my knees when I am squatting to make sure they remain in line with my toes and I also check the position of my body to see that I remain symmetrical on both sides. It is important to pay close attention to form because it not only ensures that the exercise is being done correctly (and therefore is effective), but also in order to avoid compensatory movement and injury. For this reason – it is a huge gym taboo to stand between the mirror and a person who is training. Check your surroundings and make sure that you are not blocking someone’s view of their reflection, be considerate. If there is any equipment you require that is stored in front of the mirror, it is good etiquette to wait until someone finishes their set before moving in front of them to grab what you need.

In this same vein, avoid standing too close to a weight rack and getting in the way of other members accessing equipment they may need.

Squat Rack

Most gyms have a limited supply of squat racks, they are specialised pieces of equipment for specific movements and lifts and they are often in great demand. Do not use a squat rack for other exercises or lifts which can be performed in another area.

Filming/ Selfies

If you are filming yourself or taking a selfie, try to be mindful of others who probably do not wish to be featured on your social media. Similarly, if you see someone filming themselves, do not pass between their camera and them. Most of the time, people will only film themselves for a set. I will often film myself in order to check my form, for example – if I am doing deadlifts I will position the phone in such a way so that I can then watch it afterward to track the movement of the bar and use this to self-correct during the next set. If a person is filming for a length of time that is unreasonable and affecting how you perform your workout, explaining politely that you need to move in that area is often all that is required. If you are met with resistance, I recommend simply explaining the problem to staff at the gym rather than entering into a disagreement.

Never, ever film or take selfies whilst in the changing rooms. This is a private area and all members are entitled to feel comfortable and secure in this environment.