Gym Etiquette: 20 Mistakes You’re Probably Making

We all go to the gym to achieve muscle-building goals and make gains (or #gainz, do people still say that?) Regardless of how much time we spend there, we need it to be productive. If you want to make sure you’re not being a jackass who messes up the process for others, check out the following list. You just might be doing something wildly irritating and not even know it.

It can be irritating when you’re all set to do some rope bicep curls, but the rope’s gone. Or the dumbbells are nowhere to be found because some jackass decided to drag it across the gym floor and add it to his unused/forgotten stockpile of gear. Everything in the gym (including space) has to be shared so please, keep everything in order.

Let’s be honest, you’re probably guilty of this one. Gym mirrors aren’t there for show or because you’re pretty, they’re there for people who want to monitor their form. They need to see themselves to do that and, well, you make a better door than a window. No one’s expecting you to overthink every angle, but you should always try to avoid blocking someone’s view. 

Ok, some people go to the gym to socialize. We totally get that. But make sure the person you’re yacking at is there for the same reason. Also, consider that the gym floor is probably not the best place to have a detailed conversation about your weekend, your date or whatever lame meme you just posted, especially if you or the person you’re talking to is hanging off a piece of equipment. Talking too much can mess up somebody’s intensity, slow their heart rate and prevent people from using a given machine. Save the jibber-jabber for the smoothie bar.

There’s a lot to consider when people are in various states of undress. For starters, when you want to flex in the mirror for a selfie, make sure you’re the only one in the pic. No one wants to have their privacy invaded by an unintentional photobomb. Also, just because you may feel free in hanging free, don’t spend too long walking around or grooming stark nude. It can make others uncomfortable. Put some clothes on.

A few grunts here and there is no big deal. What’s more, we all drop an heavy weight now and again, but we all know when it’s gone a bit too far. Shouting isn’t going to get you to your fitness goal faster. All it will do is make everyone uncomfortable and reinforce Planet Fitness’ stance against “lunk heads.”

It’s the unsaid rule of treadmills and urinals. If space allows, never choose the one right next to someone — it’s a bit weird. Spread out and leave a little breathing room between you and the next person.

Yes, some of us are using the water fountain incorrectly. First off, you should use the shorter one to fill up your waterbottle so people who want a quick drink don’t have to squat down while you hog the taller one. Two, if people are waiting behind you, don’t fill up your whole bottle. That’s just rude.

You have an awesome circuit planned. You bought all the gear you need: cones, ladder, foam rollers of various sizes and density. There’s just one problem, it’s peak time at your gym and there’s no space for all of that! If you need to camp out to finish your routine, find a low-trafficked area of the gym where you’ll be out of the way. Otherwise, you know, do it at home. 

Be aware of how long you spend on any machine or with any free weights. Your trisets, supersets, and Facebook status updates shouldn’t be someone else’s problem.

There are few things worse than taking a second to put your water bottle down and then having someone slip behind you to start setting up on the flat bench that’s only inches away. If you see someone close to something you’ve got your eyes on, be polite and just ask if they were using it.

It’s Planet Fitness in your random ’burb, not Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach. Give the high-volume hardcore stuff a rest.

Filming your PR is one thing. Logging your entire workout on your phone for your social fanbase is a jerk move. It’s even worse if you’re using bad form. And don’t even think about interrupting someone’s workout to ask them to film for you.

It may be tempting to grab a bar off the rack and knock out a quick set of curls or whatever, but don’t do it. While you’re doing your “quick” set, anyone else who wants to come over and grab a bar or do something that actually requires the rack either has to ask you to move or wait for you to get done.

If you don’t know that someone’s waiting for a piece of equipment, that’s kind of your fault. Be aware of the people around you while you’re getting in your workout, especially at peak hours. It doesn’t take much effort, just look around and see if someone is idly standing around, they’re likely waiting. If in doubt, just ask. You don’t want someone to have to tell you, “Uh, I was next.”

We all get sick. And if you’re willing to tough it out through your cold so you don’t miss a workout, kudos to you. But if you’re coughing, blowing your nose, constantly sneezing and generally walking around looking like a zombie, do everyone a favor and stay home.

No one should have to work out in your sweat pool. If you’re a heavy sweater, you probably already know enough to wipe off the equipment when you’re done. But this goes for anyone who leaves sweat, from butt prints on the leg extension to slippery handles on the cardio equipment. Keep a towel handy or use the sprays most gyms have available and clean off the equipment for the next person.

For the love of all that’s good, be aware of how you smell. This is a list of things you don’t know, so we’re extending this ideal to include execessive perfumes, body sprays and colognes. Here’s the general rule: if someone can recognize that you’re near based only on smell, there’s something wrong.

It’s one thing when the gym is crowded. Unfortunately, a phenomenon occasionally happens … someone asked to work it when there are plenty of other options for them to use. Working in is a privilege, don’t lose it.

Lockers exist for a reason. As we noted earlier, floor space is limited so don’t clutter it up unnecessary gear.

We get it: The right music on your playlist can make or break a workout. But don’t subject the whole gym to your terrible or great singing and/or rapping skills. Keep it to yourself.