ABC of fitness etiquette

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.

• Etiquette Blunder #5: Gym Floor Prowlers
• Fitiquette Rule: Respect your peers

The gym is a great place to meet like-minded people who share your same goals, but it's not a pickup joint. If you're set on mingling, wait for a cue from someone to strike up a conversation.

• Etiquette Blunder #6: Sweaty Equipment
• Fitiquette Rule: Keep your sweat to yourself

Wipe down the equipment with a towel and cleaning solution before and after using them, no matter how much you perspired. If you see someone leaving a pool of sweat behind, feel free to politely ask the person to towel it off.

• Etiquette Blunder #7: Self-Proclaimed Experts
• Fitiquette Rule: Keep your opinions to yourself

The only person who should correct someone's form is a gym employee. Despite its setting in a public space, working out is a very personal thing.

• Etiquette Blunder #8: Locker Room Exhibitionists
• Fitiquette Rule: Leave something to the imagination

After you hit the showers, it's time to cover up - the majority of people in the locker room will feel a little uncomfortable being so close to someone who's bearing it all.