Beginners: 10 Things You Shouldn't Do at the Gym

Ha, I think I'm guilty of commiting multiple accounts of number four...

number 4 isn't so bad just as long as you don't have excess gas! nothing's worse than being stuck on a cardio machine for 30+ min. if the person next to you is generating stank.

After reading this, all I can say is that I love working out at home using my resistance bands and treadmill. :)

Are you KIDDING me with #7??? I should let someone else "work in" instead of waiting 30-60 seconds between sets? That's just ludicrous.

Thanks so much Jim!

And Erica, yeah, someone pointed out to me over at my place the differences in exercise cultures in different gyms--where I've worked out, doing multiple sets while others are waiting is considered rude. Yet at lots of more hard core weightlifty places, it's the one set people like me that are considered really annoying.

So I should have been more clear about context! Yet another reason it's a good idea to check out what others are doing when you're new someplace.

I most definately agree with everything on the list...though I'm not sure that it should be directed toward just beginners! Everyone should be respectful whether they're new or "gym rats".

I used to go to a gym full of competetive body builders who obviously had been going there for a loooooong time and they just loved to grunt and groan and drop weights and sweat on things. I always thought they thought they were showing off how buff and manly they were LOL I switched to a campus gym where the clientele is mostly college students just trying to stay "hot", so there's a lot less noise and sweat to put up with! :)

Erica said:
Are you KIDDING me with #7??? I should let someone else "work in" instead of waiting 30-60 seconds between sets? That's just ludicrous.[...]

I think it's more so referring to the people who do a set, then sit there and talk to some gym bunny for 10 minutes, then do another set,then sit there and talk for 20 minutes.

Yeah, #7. One of the places I go to has limited equipment, and sometimes you catch someone who seems to take a nap on the bench between lifts. Everyone has been nice, though, when asked about being able to work in.

Number 6 is one of my biggest pet peeves...I HATE using a stationary bike after some fat guy's crotch sweat is all over it. YUCK!! Yet another reason why I love my home gym. I can play whatever music I want, hog the cardio equipment all I want...and no one has to see me sweat or scream or do whatever :)

Yeah, Number 4 is the one. I save my weekly shower for my gym day... kidding.

Gym's do have a culture, and I stopped attending a gym about a year ago - because I was tired of the culture (that, and the outrageous fees). I got sick of being stared at by people when I did slightly (just slightly) unconventional exercises.

The way my local gym was setup meant that all the people on their cardio machines stared directly at those doing weights.

I never felt like I could train with real intensity at the gym (because that would encompass lots of sweat, a red face, very heavy breathing, and frequent gasping). Guys doing slow DB curls would look at me like I was a freak as they continued to slowly flex in front of the mirror.

And that is why I love my home gym setup so much...

Great list!

If I may add to it...

11. Keep your cell phone in your gym bag and off.
12. It's not your living room people! If you feel the need to feng shui the gym (move benches, set up your own circuit, leave equipment in the middle of the floor etc..) put stuff back!
13. Spitting in the water fountain is gross - don't do it!
14. Don't use the squat rack if you are doing bicep curls with only the bar
15. If you are going to tie a resistance band to a machine, kindly undo your 8 sailor knots so we don't have to break out pruning shears to remove it.

That's about it (not that I'm bitter about these things or anything!)

13. People actually spit in the water? That is disgusting.

I can be guilty of not wiping my sweat off the machines at times and I am not a beginner.

These are great rules. Just keep in mind that they are not all for beginners. I've seen hardcore gym rats do some of the same, and sometimes even worse, things.

On #7 - I don't budge unless someone asks me if they can work in sets with mine. I'm not a mindreader, and quite frankly, I've experienced more people who just want to stand there and stare at me than people who want to work in sets with mine.

They forgot one...

Get off your cell phone at the gym, you aren't working hard enough if you can talk on your phone. Just leave you aren't doing yourself any good and you are pissing me off.

I'll agree with Mike's list, but I'll also reiterate:

People, you're not that important. Don't use your cell phone in the gym.

Women, if you're going to use a bench, please make sure that it's for more than to just lay an US weekly on top.

Men, if someone leaves a few 45lb plates on the machine, don't gripe about taking it down. Just take it down, and get on with your work out.

If you're going to offer advice for using a machine, please double check to make sure you're not using it like a complete douchebag. Advice, even in the best of situations, is sometimes hard to take in a room charged with testosterone.
But it's even worse if you're not able to live up to your own advice.

Also, don't work out 3 inches from the weight rack. Some of us need to grab some weights, and don't want to have to graze your crotch in order to get them. Maybe that's your intention, but we aint falling for it.

Oh, here's another one. If you see someone doing (heavy) squats, don't stand close behind them, no matter how nice the squatter's bum is. Or else that person doing squats might "accidentally" release all that weight on you.

I agree with the list, especially with the first. Since in most orientations, the guidelines and rules in using the equipments properly and proper procedures for exercises are introduced to the members, it's best to always ask questions to the trainers every time there is doubt in our minds about the proper procedures.

powerpuffin said:
no matter how nice the squatter's bum is[...]

I've seen a movie clip where in a person tries to impress the viewers by bench pressing heavy weights without a spotter. The result, a lesson he'll never forget for the rest of his life.

About the cell phone: some of us have to be on call for work. I'm not talking about conducting conversations on the threadmill, but I have to have my cell phone with me. When people do call, I answer, ask for a minute, and step *outside* of the gym to take the call.

"I'm not that important" is *exactly* why I have to be on call for work, or I won't be able to make a living and pay for the gym. Or food. Or a roof over my head. Sorry if an occasional ring in the midst of loud terrible music disturbs your workouts so much, people.

Jan said:
About the cell phone: some of us have to be on call for work. I'm not talking about conducting conversations on the threadmill, but I have to have my cell phone with me. When people do call, I answer, ask for a minute, and step *outside* of the gym to take the call.[...]

Hi Jan,

I should have clarified what I meant by my post. I don't think there is anything wrong with what you described in your situation. It is the people yabbering away on personal calls while on treadmills, resting on equipment, stretching etc. I'm glad to hear you remove yourself from the area - I wish others had the same courtesy as you.

I hope you didn't take my opinion as an across the board condemnation of cell phone use.

I'm annoyed by loud yapping - on a phone or to other gym goers - equally, Mike. To be honest, it was Nate's "you are not that important" that ticked me off. By that logic, obstetricians shouldn't be allowed to join gyms, since they are "not that important" either.

I agree with pretty much everything on the list. Even though it seems cel phones have already been mnetioned, a word to the wise, do not hog the weight equipment whilst chatting away on the cel phones. There may be other people who want to use the machines. Although, I am very social, I go to the gym first and foremost to work-out. Those who go in full face make-up, hair done, and a cute juicy couture sweatsuit you couldn't possibly sweat in nevertheless move around in, go to a night-club instead.

Nate, I'm glad you mentioned the guys who simply MUST work out right in front of the dumbbell rack. I got told off by one of these guys yesterday for butting in and getting my weight but hey, I've waited 30 reps from you buddy, and you're still there.

We're in a small gym, and if you have to work out near the racks we understand, but please, give way in between sets to guys who need access.

All good, except for #2. People come in late to the classes I go to all the time and sometimes hold it up. I don't care. It takes effort to get to class if you work all day, or if it's early in the a.m. At one morning class I go to, the instructor actually told everyone it's fine if you come in late.