Excellent advice all the way around! I had a situation the other day where a guy was working with a trainer at the Smith machine. Nearby, there were a couple of the EZ curl bars sitting at the base of the rack, which is not out of the ordinary because not everyone is good about putting them back. I didn't realize he was using them, so I picked up one for my set of curls. He came over and joked with me about stealing his weights, but the beauty was it was no big deal. We just shared. It's all about attitude and courtesy!
That's a pretty comprehensive list of gym rules! The only little asterisk I'd throw in is on #2. I used to do a lot of Olympic lifting. With the Snatch and Clean & Jerk, you HAVE to drop them from the top. Those lifts aren't meant to be lowered back down unless you're using a weight too light to be beneficial.
So true. However those gyms where people train that kind of move likely aren't over an office, they have dedicated areas built for that kind of impact and the people who do it and coach it know what they're doing. While certainly not universally true, my guess is that most typical gyms for the average person don't have Olympic training. The ones that do would have to have rules, and floors built to take that kind of abuse. But that's my guess.
I think the problem I've had the most is having to move the 45 pound plates. I can easily move a couple of them but there have been times when I just didn't use the leg press because there were 5 of the big plates left on each side. I have always gotten help when I've asked for it, which is great, but I'd rather not have to ask. My favorite gym is open 24/7 with entry codes to get in. I'd be there very early so if I found the leg press stacked with the big plates, I'd just use the leg press in the back (unheated and unairconditioned room). I loved being there when the place was nearly empty.
Yes! Hire a damned trainer! I've seen way too many people with horrible form working hard to injure themselves. And I learned the hard way to check if someone is using a piece of equipment that looks empty. I can jump up and apologize with the best of them, but again, I'd rather not have to.
Same with me, Penny. These days I can never find a time when my gym is empty as the Y is busy full time. I've learned to cope, although I most assuredly got Karened which I'll write about, by someone who clearly has no clue about gym manners. Happens!
#7 for sure! My pet peeve when I go to the gym is waiting for a machine while someone sits on it and stays on their phone. Use the machine or get off the machine and let someone else use it!!!
I hate tattling, but when there is only one machine, as with us the abductor/adductor machine, that kind of behavior is unacceptable. Childish at any age. I will get an instructor and get them pried off.
Excellent article about how to be a responsible adult instead of a child in the gym. The reason I rarely go into those places is because of all the bad experiences I’ve had with sweaty grunters throwing weights on the floor and marking their territory like animals with their noise and strutting. And the dudes sitting on the machines with their phone in their hand, “resting” between sets. And the people who just have to come and get in my face while I’m minding my own business.
I get it, see it and live it, Tim. I do my best to go at times when there are far fewer folks, but these days that's harder especially with the January rush.
Excellent advice all the way around! I had a situation the other day where a guy was working with a trainer at the Smith machine. Nearby, there were a couple of the EZ curl bars sitting at the base of the rack, which is not out of the ordinary because not everyone is good about putting them back. I didn't realize he was using them, so I picked up one for my set of curls. He came over and joked with me about stealing his weights, but the beauty was it was no big deal. We just shared. It's all about attitude and courtesy!
that's what adults at the gym do, Amy. It's good-natured and easy.
That's a pretty comprehensive list of gym rules! The only little asterisk I'd throw in is on #2. I used to do a lot of Olympic lifting. With the Snatch and Clean & Jerk, you HAVE to drop them from the top. Those lifts aren't meant to be lowered back down unless you're using a weight too light to be beneficial.
So true. However those gyms where people train that kind of move likely aren't over an office, they have dedicated areas built for that kind of impact and the people who do it and coach it know what they're doing. While certainly not universally true, my guess is that most typical gyms for the average person don't have Olympic training. The ones that do would have to have rules, and floors built to take that kind of abuse. But that's my guess.
Yeah, those are very good points!
Thanks for a great summary of gym rules!
I think the problem I've had the most is having to move the 45 pound plates. I can easily move a couple of them but there have been times when I just didn't use the leg press because there were 5 of the big plates left on each side. I have always gotten help when I've asked for it, which is great, but I'd rather not have to ask. My favorite gym is open 24/7 with entry codes to get in. I'd be there very early so if I found the leg press stacked with the big plates, I'd just use the leg press in the back (unheated and unairconditioned room). I loved being there when the place was nearly empty.
Yes! Hire a damned trainer! I've seen way too many people with horrible form working hard to injure themselves. And I learned the hard way to check if someone is using a piece of equipment that looks empty. I can jump up and apologize with the best of them, but again, I'd rather not have to.
Same with me, Penny. These days I can never find a time when my gym is empty as the Y is busy full time. I've learned to cope, although I most assuredly got Karened which I'll write about, by someone who clearly has no clue about gym manners. Happens!
#7 for sure! My pet peeve when I go to the gym is waiting for a machine while someone sits on it and stays on their phone. Use the machine or get off the machine and let someone else use it!!!
I hate tattling, but when there is only one machine, as with us the abductor/adductor machine, that kind of behavior is unacceptable. Childish at any age. I will get an instructor and get them pried off.
Excellent article about how to be a responsible adult instead of a child in the gym. The reason I rarely go into those places is because of all the bad experiences I’ve had with sweaty grunters throwing weights on the floor and marking their territory like animals with their noise and strutting. And the dudes sitting on the machines with their phone in their hand, “resting” between sets. And the people who just have to come and get in my face while I’m minding my own business.
I get it, see it and live it, Tim. I do my best to go at times when there are far fewer folks, but these days that's harder especially with the January rush.
Great advice 🩵