Why etiquette is important

Etiquette simply means the way you should act, the things you should/should not do and the way you should behave in a particular environment.

Something to keep in mind about the gym is that it’s a shared space. Whether you like it or not, you have to be considerate of others around you.

Everyone is paying gym fees, not just you.

Over my 3 years of training, I’ve come to learn a few good habits that I believe would make the gym a much better, safer and more welcoming place if everyone had this common sense.

THE 10 GYM RULES

1. THOU SHALL NOT STINK

There’s nothing worse than smelling how hard someone else is training.

If you can take a quick shower before gym, that’s awesome. But it is understandable that showering both before and after gym makes no sense, especially if it’s early in the morning or you’re planning to get a good sweat on.

Instead, here’s some tips you can do to avoid making other gymrats hold their breath around you:

2. THOU SHALL NOT LEAVE WEIGHTS UNRACKED

If I got R2 for everytime I had to take off plates from a machine that someone else left on before me… I could pay KFC R1000 for Hope.
At one point, I had to remove 6 20kg plates from each side of a leg press because someone decided it wasn’t worth their time to take them off.
If you had the strength to lift the weights, you should be strong enough to put them back.

Imagine if someone weaker than you had to use the machine after you’re done - they’re already getting a workout from putting away your plates - be better bro.

The same thing applies to dumbbells. Leaving them lying around is a huge safety hazard to others and if someone gets hurt, their injury is on you.
Also be sure to place dumbbells back on the racks that match their weights.

3. HONOR THY NEIGHBOUR’S SET

If you someone in the middle of their set, getting their reps done : DO NOT INTERRUPT THEM.

I’ve had plenty of experiences when I was in the middle of some curls or pushdowns and someone repeatedly tried to get my attention to ask how many sets I have left.

It also doesn’t matter if your friends and just want to have a friendly chat - wait for the person to finish their set and then go talk to them.

4. THOU SHALL LEAVE AN ITEM TO SHOW YOU’RE USING A MACHINE

If you’re using a machine or squat rack, make sure to leave something near it to indicate that you’re occupying the space.

It’s perfectly fine to step away to use the loo, grab some paper towels or refill your water bottle. Just make sure to leave a gym towel, a water bottle or a bag (I do not recommend leaving your phone unattended tho) to show someone that this machine is unavailable.

Doing this helps you avoid arugments that go like this:
“Sorry man, I was using this.”
“But I didn’t see anything here, so I thought it was free.”

5. THOU SHALL NOT WALK ACROSS THE MIRROR DURING SOMEONE’S SET

If you see someone doing a set in front of the mirror, it’s best to walk behind them, not in front of them.

Walking in front of them can disturb their concentration and they’re more than likely using the mirror to check their form.

Here’s a little story: I almost walked in front of someone during their set, but readjusted my course to walk behind them. After the gentleman had finished his set, he found me and thanked me for doing that because a lot of people just walk in front of and that often causes him to go off his focus.

6. THOU SHALL NOT LEAVE SWEAT STAINS

It’s perfectly fine to sweat in the gym, but if you’re using a bench, treadmill or machine, it can be extremely off-putting for someone else to clean off your sweat.

The least you can do is wipe it off with a towel or tissue paper so that it’s not visible, but I also recommend going the extra mile and using the gym’s equipment sanitizer after you’re done.

7. DO NOT SPOT THY NEIGHBOUR AS YOU WISH TO BE SPOTTED

At some point in your gym journey, someone is going to ask you to spot them.

Everyone has different ideas of what spotting should be - some may want assistance on every rep, some may want help on the last few reps only. So, never assume what a lifter wants from you while you’re spotting them.

Instead, ask them these questions so you know for sure:

  1. Do you want help for liftoff? (Help them get the weight up).
  2. How many reps are you going for? (Once they get close to the end, be ready to assist them).
  3. Do you want me to help you with all the reps, or just the end?

Finally, make sure your headphones are off or music is paused so you can clearly hear them when they call out to you for help. If you miss their callout, their injury is on you.

8. THOU SHALL NOT THROW AROUND/BANG WEIGHTS

The gym is already a loud place. The last thing that’s needed is hearing dumbbells drop hard on the floor or unnecessary clanging of metal plates.

Plates and dumbbells are going to drop - that’s a given. The distinction I’m trying to make here has to do with dropping weights just to draw attention to yourself.
Try your best to put down the weights softly so it doesn’t distract others.

I couldn’t emphasize this point more for cables or machines. Dropping the weight/handles aggressively can damage the equipment, cause faults or even cause cables to snap. Don’t be the ou who breaks the equipment by being obnoxious.

9. THOU SHALL NOT WASTE TIME

If you have a message to reply to, call to answer or are just caught in a long yap session with your gym buddy, don’t hog the machine for yourself. Step aside and let someone else use the machine while you’re busy.

Even more important than that, you should NOT be on your phone in the gym unnecessarily. Switching songs on your playlist, or quickly replying to a message is perfectly fine.
However, if you are scrolling TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or in the middle of a long text in the gym, just go home. If you’re not there to lock in and focus, you’re taking up space and hindering others who are there to work or are in a time crunch.

Your social media will still be there after your workout.

10. LOVE THY GYMBRO IS YOU LOVE YOURSELF

If you want to take a plate from a machine, make sure you ask the person using the machine if you can take it:
“Howzit, are you using the 20s?”
A simple 5 second interaction avoids arguments or taking a weight someone is about to use.

If the gym busy, someone is bound to ask you how many sets you have left. If you have more than 2 left, or just starting your exercises, you could always offer for the person to work-in with you. You don’t absolutely have to - this is just common courtesy.

If you are working in with someone, you could also do the following to be a good ou: