I think as a society in general there are been a definite decline in manners and social etiquette and perhaps this is most evident at the gym.
I think the ill-mannered gym goers are more in need a of little self-awareness than finishing school, so I thought I would write a little piece about my biggest gym pet peeves. I have to say that during the week I go to the gym mostly after 9pm, its pretty much the same group of people every night and they’re normally great. I think most of the bad behavior happens when the gym is more crowded. Maybe people are rushing? Maybe its mob mentality? I don’t know, but here’s the list. I hope you’re not guilty.
- Put your stuff back when you’re done.Sounds like common sense, right? I go to the gym around 9:30pm and it’s unbelievable how many dumb bells, stability balls, medicine balls, barbells, etc are strewn about the gym. We all went to kindergarten, right? We all learned that after you play with something you put it back, so a-holes, put back the gear when you’re done.
- Wipe down the equipment when you’re done. Workout = sweat. If you’re not sweating you’re doing something wrong. There’s no shame in sweating, however it is shameful to lie on a workout bench, lean on an elliptical or sit on a bike and not wipe it down when you’re done. No one wants to hang out in your sweat. You’re gross.
- No perfume at the gym. Speaking of sweating at the gym…….OK ladies, I know we’ve spent most of our life with deodorant mottoes like “never let ’em see you sweat” and “strong enough for a man, but pH balanced for a woman”, but it’s OK to sweat at the gym. I know it’s not traditionally ladylike to sweat your ass off, but that’s why we go to the gym. I’ll never understand why some chicks insist on taking a perfume or body spray bath before they work out. Newsflash, now you’re just going to smell like sweat AND White Diamonds.
- Don’t talk anyone’s ear off (especially mine).Most of us go to the gym not to socialize but to workout. Now I’m not the fun police (most of the time), and I’m not calling for a strict “no talking policy”, but most conversations can be kept around a minute. “Hi, how are you?” “Good thanks, and you?” That’s about all you need. And if I don’t take my ear buds out of my ears it means I’m not game for a long conversation. I have about 2 hours a day max I get to dedicate to the gym and no offense but you’re not cutting into that time.
- Dress Appropriately.When you go the gym, you’re going to move around and sweat, a lot, so for Christ’s sake dress like it please! No flesh belts! Unless you’re rocking some serious abs, please introduce the bottom of your shirt to your pants. I think they’ll get along famously. I don’t want to see any muffin top when I’m working out, not yours, not mine. No crack! Do a squat before you leave the house. If your pants dip down and expose your coin slot, change them please! Ladies please put your hair in a ponytail if it’s long enough. I know it probably seems silly, but I get really distracted and grossed out when someone is working out and their sweaty hair is stuck to their sweaty neck.
- Keep your mouse in the house.This is perhaps the most important piece of gym etiquette of the whole list and its gentleman specific. Picture it – the Boston Athletic Club, 2011. I’m in the captain’s chair trying to work my lower abdominals and directly across from me there’s a guy in Richard Simmons shorty shorts sitting on the piece of equipment across from me. Can you guess where this is going? HIS GOD DAMN BALLS WERE HANGING OUT OF HIS SHORTS!! How the heck am I supposed to work out when the guy across from me is showing brain? Seriously guys, how can you not know your nuts are hanging out? Please for the love of God check this stuff out before you go to the gym!
So those are my biggest pet peeves, I’m sure you all have your own so please share them with me!
Written by Heather Foley
