As we enter the New Year, many new people will be going to the gym. That’s great! If you are a newbie, I’m excited for you to start your journey! Be careful and make sure to check out my tips on starting out in this blog post.

All of us need to remember Gym Etiquette. Yes, you are paying a membership to use the facility, but it’s not your home. There are other people around and let’s be respectful of that, shall we?

These are some of my top Rules of Gym Etiquette:

1. Put back your equipment and unload your bars and machines.
I understand your need to move on to your next exercise, but really, put your weights away! There are people who are not strong enough to lift your weights and put them up. Plus, it’s not their place. It’s yours. Clean up after yourself!

2. Use a Towel and/or wipe down the machines.
We all sweat. It’s just a fact. But really, no one wants to clean up someone else’s bodily fluids. How about we cover the machine with a towel and wipe it down when we are done. Literally takes 2 seconds.

3. Don’t rest on the equipment.
This one is a hard one to follow. Depending on your workout plan, you may have several minutes of rest built in. That’s all good, but if you have more than a :30 rest, there’s enough time for someone else to work in if they need the machine. And for the love of all things holy, please do not sit on a machine and talk on your phone!

4. Don’t bring your suitcase and sit it on a bench.
OK, I realize some of us bring notebooks and gear to use during our workout. But, don’t take up a bench for just holding your stuff. And really, do you need to carry your entire bag with you? Put that thing in a locker and lock it up!

5. Wear earbuds.
I truly cannot believe that people bring portable speakers or their cell phone and just play music out loud. I don’t want to hear the gym music AND your music over the music I’m trying to listen to in my own ears. This is rude. No one wants to hear your music or your conversation. Just don’t.

6. Workout with a person, not a crew.
You really don’t need 4 people going around with you at the gym. Separate up and get out of people’s way! If you need more than one spotter, you probably aren’t doing it right.

7. Don’t stand in front of the dumbbell rack.
Choose your weights and move to a space where people can easily get to the rack.

8. Don’t stand in front of someone who is using the mirror.
Find your own space to watch your form.

9. Don’t do Bicep Curls in the Squat Rack.
The Squat Rack is a valuable commodity in the gym. Especially when it’s busy and it’s your leg day. Taking up a Squat Rack to do Biceps Curls (or shoulder shrugs or rows) is not nice. You can do these exercises on other pieces of equipment. A person trying to Squat heavy doesn’t have a choice of another way to load the bar other than the Squat Rack.

10. Put the phone away.
I realize some people need to stay in contact for work and kids. But, if you have an important call, go to the locker room or the lobby or outside. Talking on the phone while working out is distracting to others. Including you! Are you here to workout? Well, get to it!

The gym is a great place to work on bettering yourself.  And sometimes, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and socially, too!  Being a good gym goer and following these etiquette rules will ensure that you make gym friends and not gym enemies.