Whether you are a gym expert or a fitness center novice, you've probably seen your share of interesting and sometimes amusing etiquette faux pas: the grunter, the space invader, the cell phone talker and the, ehem, "fragrant neighbor." With the seasons changing and gym-goers returning to their regular fitness schedules, Gold's Gym is working with its Facebook fans to issue a refresher on the ABC's of gym "Fitiquette."
In a search to determine the top fitness faux pas, Gold's Gym polled its community of more than 20,000 Facebook fans to uncover their workout pet peeves. The stories were as funny as they were educational. To help fitness enthusiasts avoid committing a serious gym etiquette offense, Gold's Gym is offering its "Fitiquette" advice for the top eight workout annoyances as voted on by Facebook fans.
- Etiquette Blunder #1: Odor Offenders
- Fitiquette Rule: Be scent-sible
Choose athletic attire in breathable cotton or moisture-wicking fabric, and use a high-octane antiperspirant to keep odor at bay. When a fellow exerciser's fragrance is overwhelming, talk to someone at the front desk, e-mail the club, or slip a note in the suggestion box.
- Etiquette Blunder #2: Space Invaders
- Fitiquette Rule: Give people their space
In the stretching area, free-weight room or in a group-exercise classes, where lots of people share one space, keep a jumping jack-size distance from the person next to you to ensure safety. Make sure to watch where you're going as you navigate the gym - otherwise you can accidentally bump into a wall, a machine, or someone else's workout.
- Etiquette Blunder #3: Equipment Hogs
- Fitiquette Rule: Play nice on the machines
When it comes to equipment, keep a couple things in mind: while resting between sets, don't remain on the machine, especially if there's a line to use it. Allow others to work into your sets. Unload weight bars when you're finished, and return free weights to their homes. Leaving weights on the floor can cause people to trip over them.
- Etiquette Blunder #4: Loudmouth Lifters
- Fitiquette Rule: Use your inside voice
Training requires intensity, and loud conversations on the gym floor can ruin a set of reps. Save fraternizing for the locker room, or wait until you're outside the gym to finish your talk. The same goes for cell phones.