Gym Etiquette

Everyone has seen that guy at the gym that just gets under everyone's skin because he doesn't seem to know what he's doing and he isn't being courteous to everyone else. One of the best things you can do at the gym is to at least act like you belong there and it will give you confidence to go more often instead of making the excuse of "Oh, I don't really know what I'm doing." Just make sure you follow all of these rules and you'll look like you belong in no time.

Wipe down what you just worked out on. You wouldn't want to go up to an open bench or machine and sit back for the first time and lay in someone else's sweat would you? Well be courteous and wipe down your exercise platform of choice after you're done using it. Most gyms employ people to use sanitary sprays to wipe all machines down after someone gets off, but help them out a bit anyway and clean up your own mess.

When you're done with weights, put them back and don't mess around. Chances are the weights or machine you just used is something other people like to use as well. If you're taking too much time with them, it seems rude and that you don't care. Also, its good practice to put the weights back you just used, especially on the squat rack or bench press. It shows you respect others and know what you're doing.

If someone asks you to spot them, make sure you know what you're doing and can handle it. The person came up to you and asked you to spot them because they believed you can handle the responsibility. More than likely people come with a friend that will do that for them, but if you have an outgoing and trusting enough person in there with you, he or she may come up and ask. Before you agree, make sure you know what you're doing.

Don't hog bikes and treadmills and the elliptical. If you're at the gym specifically to work out on exercise machines such as these then yes, it's okay to spend the majority of your time on them, but there's a limit of courtesy. Most gyms have 30 to one hour time limits on these machines, so abide by the one hour rule. If no one is waiting of course, you're free to keep on trucking.

Bring a towel. Another thing with the sweat, make sure you have a decent sized gym towel with you to keep yourself clean and the equipment you just used. And for your own good, use the hand sanitizers they have as often as possible.