Buzz
Rude individuals are a common sight, but encountering them at the gym can be particularly irritating. Your aim is to focus on your workout, yet their behavior—leaving sweat marks on benches, loud phone calls, and scattered equipment—disrupts the peace. Could this be you? Here’s how to contribute to a better gym environment for everyone.
As an optimist, I believe most people are unaware they might be bothering others. In other words, they aren’t intentionally awful—they’re just unintentional nuisances. I’ve been guilty of this myself and have since learned how to be a more considerate gym member. The golden rule applies here: treat others as you’d like to be treated. So, what does this look like in a gym setting?
Familiarize Yourself with Gym Policies
Each gym has its own set of rules and expectations. These guidelines outline what staff and fellow gym-goers consider acceptable behavior. For example, if you enjoy deadlifting (which can be noisy) but the gym prohibits loud sounds, respect that rule without complaint. It might also indicate that the gym isn’t the best fit for your specific training preferences.
Your introductory tour with a sales representative is an ideal opportunity to ask about these details. Clearly communicate your specific needs and preferences to determine if the facility and staff can meet them.
Return Equipment to Its Proper Place After Use
Even if you “found it there,” always return equipment to its designated spot. Different gym sections have specific gear that often gets misplaced: dumbbells and weights should go back to the weight room; foam rollers belong in the stretching area, and jump ropes are typically stored in the cardio section. Cleaning up after others is frustrating, but the best approach is to tidy up what you use.
If there’s one rule to remember, it’s this: re-rack your weight plates. Avoid being the person who leaves 45-pound plates on the barbell or scatters weights like a chaotic mess. Taking a few minutes to organize them not only helps others but also adds a bit of extra activity to your routine.
The same applies to dumbbells. The dumbbell area in my gym often looks like a disaster zone, with mismatched weights scattered everywhere. It’s not uncommon to find a 40-pound dumbbell in a slot labeled for 15 pounds, leaving someone (often me) struggling to find its pair. Always match dumbbells to their labeled slots and keep them together!
Treat Gym Equipment with Care
While gym equipment is designed to endure heavy use, mistreating it—like letting cable attachments snap back, dropping weights carelessly, or handling gear roughly—is unacceptable. Such behavior reflects poorly on you and shows a lack of respect for shared resources. Remember, you’re paying to use quality equipment, so treat it as you would any other valuable item. It’s akin to visiting a library and defacing books—just don’t do it.
Eliminate Sweat Stains (And Germs)
No one wants to encounter someone else’s sweat on gym equipment. Gyms are also hotspots for germs and illnesses, given the number of people using the same machines. Thankfully, most gyms provide hand sanitizer and disinfectant sprays. Use them regularly, whether you’re feeling under the weather or not.
While you’re at it, keep your workout area clean. Although gyms have cleaning staff, it’s inconsiderate to leave behind used towels or trash. Dispose of your waste properly!
Avoid Being the Gym’s Smelly Offender
While staying fresh and pristine during a workout is challenging, using deodorant and wearing clean gym attire can make a significant difference—especially for those around you. On the flip side, overpowering colognes or perfumes can be just as unpleasant. Avoid wearing strong scents to the gym, or frankly, anywhere.
Practice Communication and Sharing
During busy gym hours, politely express your willingness to share equipment or invite others to work in during your rest periods. Even if you arrived first, be open to letting others use the machine while you’re taking a break. Most people will ask how many sets you have left or how much time you need, and they’ll typically wait their turn.
There are times when using multiple machines is necessary, such as during supersets—where you perform two exercises back-to-back, often targeting opposing muscle groups (like push-ups and rows). In such cases, use your discretion. During peak hours, this can be tricky, so try to choose equipment that’s close together. Inform others about your superset routine and allow them to work in during your rest periods. Clear communication is key!
Texting Doesn’t Count as Exercise
That said, I believe it’s challenging to stay focused and maximize your workout if your phone keeps pulling your attention. If you must check your phone, do so only after completing your sets.
Grunting Is Acceptable When Necessary
While many find grunting odd or uncomfortable, consider Serena Williams, who lets out powerful grunts while smashing tennis balls at incredible speeds. Similarly, when lifting heavy weights, grunts, groans, or even shouts are natural and often unavoidable.
It ultimately depends on the gym culture: if others are accustomed to intense lifting, grunts—as long as they’re not excessively strange—are generally tolerated. However, there’s no need to loudly announce your strength to everyone nearby. Stay respectful and keep it under control.
Each Exercise Has Its Designated Area
Every part of the gym is designed for specific types of exercises. While the gym is a general space for fitness, certain activities are better suited to particular areas. For instance, stretching your hamstrings on a weight bench isn’t ideal. Similarly, while some criticize doing bicep curls in the squat rack, I’ve never actually seen it happen. As mentioned earlier, respect the equipment and others by using everything as intended.
Respect Personal Space
Group classes like Zumba, yoga, or BodyPump can get packed, but always ensure you give those around you enough room. You wouldn’t want someone’s bare foot in your face during yoga, would you?
If everyone adheres to these basic guidelines, the gym experience becomes much better. However, it only takes a few inconsiderate individuals—like those who don’t return equipment—to create chaos and disrupt the environment for everyone.
In short, a gym membership is a significant financial commitment. When we pay our monthly dues, we expect a seamless workout experience without the hassle of searching for misplaced equipment.
Do your part by being a considerate gym member. Respect others’ time and avoid leaving a mess for them to clean up.
Image by qoppi (Shutterstock).
