As fitness centers have always been fully-packed of gym enthusiasts to get into shape, it would be great to remind everyone (especially the newbies) of some gym etiquette or the so called, The Gym Dos and Don’ts that would ensure everybody will have a better, happier and safer gym experience throughout the entire workout!…
Table Of Content
The Gym Dos & Don’ts [Updated 2020]
The Gym DOs
At The Weight Area
At The Cardio Area
At The Locker Room
In the Shower Room
The Gym DON’Ts
At The Weigth Area
At The Cardio Area
At The Locker Room
In the Shower Room
Final thoughts
The Gym DOs & DON’Ts [Updted 2021]
The Gym DOs
At The Weight Area
Do wear proper gym attire
Do have fun and take it easy
Do smile and be friendly
Do assist and be helpful especially to the newbies
Do think of your groom and smell
Do respect and follow fitness center’s rules
Do check your blood pressure and whole condition first
Do start with some warm-ups and stretchings
Do ask for any assistance if you’re not familiar with a particular equipment rather than put your self at risk
Do wipe your sweat off and don’t let it fall down on the gym floor
Do wipe your sweat off from the machine every after use as courtesy to the next user
Do reset the weight machines back to its original low setting
Do share a space especially if the gym is crowded
Do limit your time on the machine especially when someone is waiting
Do keep your phone closed or leave it in your locker so you can focus
Do keep going and avoid long rest so you won’t feel sleepy
At The Cardio Area
Do bring your workout water bottle but don’t drink while treadmill is running
Do bring your towel and hold the machine handle while wiping your sweat for your safety
Do set the treadmill up to your speed limit only
Do share the machine timely to someone who is waiting
At The Locker Room
Do observe proper hygiene
Do behave and observe silence
Do keep your locker closed
Do keep your locker clean
Do fix your used workout clothes properly and don’t hang anywhere
Do your grooming privately
Do change your workout clothes in private
Do share the chairs and tables to others
Do your share to keep the locker room clean
-Advertisement-
-Advertisement-
In The Shower Room
Do take your shower quickly especially if someone has been waiting outside
Do place the empty bottles / sachets of your soap / shampoo / toothpaste in the garbage bin
Do keep the shower door locked when inside
Do close the faucet tightly
Do fix back the shower curtain properly
The Gym DONT’s
At The Weight Area
Don’t forget to bring your workout water water bottle
Don’t be too serious – be approachable
Don’t workout directly but do some warm-up and stretching first
Don’t workout if you’re not feeling well
Don’t fail to check your blood pressure and consult the gym nurse / doctor once necessary
Don’t workout right in front of the dumbbell rack to keep it accessible to others
Don’t drop the weights excessively after every set so you won’t disturb others and you can’t harm your self or someone else near you.
Don’t leave weights lying around after using them – put them back on the rack properly
Don’t carry loud conversations or sing while on the gym floor. It’s taking away your focus as well as others around you.
Don’t text or call between sets – it affects your focus and momentum to keep going
Don’t wear perfumes or colognes as these might affect the breathing of others near you
Don’t carry your stuff or gym bag in the gym floor – leave them in your locker
Don’t eat between sets
Don’t flex right in front of the mirror while someone behind you is doing the workout
Don’t grunt so loud as you’re not in your private gym
Don’t wear the same clothes two days in a row without washing them
Don’t keep others waiting, vacate the machine as soon as your set has been completed
Don’t monopolize but share the weights and machines
Don’t offer your advice not unless you’re being asked
Don’t stare at someone while doing his/her workout as this would make him/her feel uncomfortable
Don’t push weights you can’t handle as you might just hurt your self and get injured
Don’t ignore time limit – if the gym closes at 11PM, you have to be out of the gym floor five minutes before that.
Don’t interrupt someone in the middle of workout
At The Cardio Area
Don’t leave your workout water bottle or any of your belongings to reserve the treadmill while using other machines.
Don’t forget to carry a towel for your sweat and for wiping your sweat off from the machine
Don’t eat and drink especially when treadmill is running
Don’t keep others waiting, vacate the machine as soon as you’re done
Don’t do stunts or dance while treadmill is running as you might fall off and that could be quite embarrassing
Don’t over speed the machine – know and set your speed limit
At The Locker Room
Don’t be too comfortable in wearing just your underwear around the locker room
Mind your own locker
Don’t spread out your clothes and toiletries across the tables and benches
Don’t keep your locker open
If the locker is free, don’t be locker-savvy and use only one for you.
Don’t sit and stay too long and give way to others who just arrived / finished the workout
Don’t hang your used clothes anywhere such as workout leggings, tank tops, shorts, etc…
In The Shower Room
Don’t be too long in cleaning up as if you’re at home
Don’t leave any empty shampoo bottles / sachets on the floor
Don’t leave the shower faucet open
Final Thoughts
Above are just some of the Gym Dos and Don’ts you should always consider and remember. There are still a lot you can add on the list and you’re gonna find these out as you regularly do your workout at the gym.
Meantime, to relieve your foot pains after your intense workout or wish to relax after your busy day, you can check out the 5 BEST ELECTRIC FOOT MASSAGERS (2019/2020).
If you ever need a hand or have any questions, feel free to leave them below and I’ll be more than happy to help you out.
-Advertisement-
Hello Jules,
That’s a thorough reminder. Thanks for keeping it very detailed.
Cheers,
Alex
Hi Alex,
Thank you as well bro for passing by. Please watch out for my other articles which will be published pretty soon. You take care bro!
I am so pleased to see a post of this nature published online.  A little while when I was traveling on a road trip my partner and I stopped at some gyms along our route and it was crazy to me how inappropriate some of the common courtesy practices were not being practiced and it made my reluctant to keep seeking out a gym in which to work out.  The do’s and don’ts you have listed are solid and dialled in and I hope that you can gain a broad reach with this very socially responsible and helpful post! Thank you!
Appreciate sharing your experience with the “don’ts” which manifests that acting inappropriately at the gym can negatively impact others who want to have a serious and productive workout.
Am grateful if you found this post helpful and socially responsible. It’s always a pleasure to help people particularly in the fitness world and remind both newbies and old timer gym folks of these etiquette they need to always remember to ensure they won’t waste their time, effort and money but rather have an enjoyable, fun and effective workout experience.
Thanks for stopping by and be safe!
-jules
Hey Jules,
Thanks for a nice list of reminders for gym etiquette! Not only is it important for ensuring everyone has a good experience, but also that the gym is safe and clean. I particularly like that you broke it down into Do’s and Don’t because it gives some nice tips that encourage good behavior while suggesting things people should avoid doing. Some people may not even be aware of poor etiquette and be absentmindedly making the gym a lot less enjoyable for others. I really like the suggestion to cut down on texting and calling during your workout. It can really pull you out of your momentum and disturb those around you. It can also distract you when using dangerous equipment. Since we’re only about a month away from the big New Year gym boom, it’s really nice to have some reminders especially for those who may be using the gym for the first time.Â
Cheers 🙂
Thanks Connor for that affirmation and you’re right in saying, “some people may not even be aware of poor etiquette” because some gym goers seemingly don’t realize some of the “don’ts” and unconsciously partake on some counter-productive habits that actually sabotaging their workout progress. Ironically, these types of gym goers are also the ones who wonder and complain why they don’t see any improvement despite of time, effort and money they spent throughout their fitness journey. That actually triggered me to write an article entitled, WORKOUT MISTAKES TO AVOID to help them realize what shouldn’t be done when hitting the gym floor for them to have an effective workout ever.
Grateful for your time expressing your thoughts and experience on this matter.
Cheers Bro!
I have been looking to start gym for almost two to three months now. This article will be a good lead for me actually. I went through the Do’s and Don’ts which I didn’t know most of them before. Thank you for writing this important article which is going to be helpful to so many people who wants to start going to gym.
Glad you have found this article while still a newbie in the fitness world and it’s fine if you went through the “Don’ts” in particular because “it’s always easy to bend a younger tree rather than a rooted one already”.
If you want to, you can visit my other articles – BEST FITNESS TIPS FOR BEGINNERS and BEST HOME WORKOUT ROUTINES, for your further guidance.
Thank you for stopping by!
-jules
Hi Jules,
thanks for this reminder…we needed it!
I wish gyms would print this out and stick it at key points in their gyms! most ppl barely follow 5-10 points from this list!its a really good list and if everyone followed it, the hygiene in gyms would be much better!
Some points you mentioned and I think should be strongly enforced are
Don’t be too comfortable in wearing just your underwear around the locker room – what the hell is that about?
Don’t hang your used clothes anywhere
Don’t leave any empty shampoo bottles / sachets on the floor (seriously)
Don’t wear the same clothes two days in a row without washing them ( we all smelled them)
Hey there, Tarun!
You’re welcome and am so glad as you seemingly observed some of these “don’ts” too.
Yes you’re right, the “don’ts” you specified should really be enforced and observed seriously because locker room is not a private room that you can just walk around wearing only your underwear and believe me, I was even surprised to witness someone completely naked! What?!!! I just didn’t include it on the list because I only witnessed that once.
Anyway, thanks bro for your time dropping some lines here.
-jules
Hi. Thanks for the awesome tips on what to do and what not to do in the gym. I love the way you placed these dos and don’ts at the various gym areas. This article is very comprehensive and would enhance good relationship with others there and would make gym fun as long as I follow every of your tips.
Hello, Vwegba!
My pleasure Bro! Grateful if you appreciate how it’s being presented.
You’re definitely right there as that’s actually two of the reasons why I wrote this article – to promote a good relationship / environment among gym fanatics and for everyone to have a fun and enjoyable gym workout experience because “if you have a great time, you’ll surely have a focused and effective gym time”.
Thanks for visiting by!
-jules
This is the most informative, comprehensive article I have ever read on this subject. Well done. Saving this to favorites and putting this to work.
Hi there, Allan!
Grateful for visiting by and for the compliment! Enjoy and have a safe workout always!