15 tips to help you NOT be a menace at the gym

I know you’re not a menace. It’s those other people.

Maybe you can slip them this list of 15 tips. Let’s call them the unofficial “rules” of gym etiquette.

1. Don’t block the mirror. See if someone else is already checking their form in the mirror. Don’t block their view.

2. Don’t do your exercises at the dumbbell rack. Other people want to get to the dumbbells, too.

3. Don’t get too close to someone exercising. Especially if you’re doing jump lunges (or any similar vigorous movement). Geesh! It’s distracting seeing someone come within inches of your outstretched arm, especially if you’re really pushing yourself.

4. Don’t just sit there on the pulldown machine if someone is hovering behind you, obviously waiting. Let them “work in.” (This goes for any machine or exercise station.)

5. Don’t just hover behind someone at the pulldown machine. Chances are, they’re going to ignore you. Despite my advice above, I have always maintained: There’s NO reason to stand around in the gym. There are LOTS of other exercises you can do.

6. Dress appropriately for the work you’ll be doing. We don’t want to look up your shorts while you’re doing stiff-leg deadlifts. Or stretching. (OK, you’re not a menace. And, of course, men love you.)

7. Rack your weights. This goes for plates as well as dumbbells. Please put the 15s back where the 15s go.

8. Don’t hog the weights. Don’t gather up enough dumbbells and barbells and place them next to your bench for “later.” A gal did just this at my gym today. And those barbells sat there for at least 15 minutes till she was ready to pick them up.

9. Don’t stroll through busy areas. Dumbbells roll. Barbells get dumped. People grab for a quick swig out of their water bottle. In other words, there’s enough going on here. Stroll elsewhere.

10. Don’t tie up the flat bench with your towel and DBs–while you walk away to do abs, then chat with a friend, then refill your water bottle. Someone else wants to use that bench.

11. Dont have lengthy chats in the DB area, either on your cell OR with someone actually there. Step aside or outside. No one wants to hear your side of the conversation with your mom, broker or boyfriend.

12. Wipe up your sweat.

13. Don’t talk to me during a set. I don’t answer. (This is when you should be focusing on the muscle.)

14. Shower before you hit the gym if you are stinky. Okay, this applies more to men than women. Seems they think “I’m going to get sweaty anyway.” Mistake. Getting smelly AT the gym is understandable. But walking in smelly? Not nice.

15. Don’t wear yesterday’s t-shirt if it hasn’t been washed. Saving a top or “tee” for the gym is fine, but wash it between wearings, please.

I might sound a little cranky. I get that way sometimes. But the gym is not the place to be oblivious–or smelly. People could get hurt. Or pass out.

Is there something I missed? Leave your comment and let me know, please.